ILLEGALILLEGALPARITICPATIONPARITICPATION

(Rule 9 – 6)(Rule 9 – 6)andand

ILLEGALILLEGALSUBSTITUTIONSSUBSTITUTIONS

(Rule 3 – 7)(Rule 3 – 7)

Jason S. CappsJason S. CappsPacific Northwest Football Officials AssociationPacific Northwest Football Officials Association

““AFTER GOING AFTER GOING OUT-OF-BOUNDS”OUT-OF-BOUNDS”

If a player is blocked or pushed out-of-bounds, they may legally participate in the down as long as they immediately return to the field.

• No player on Team A or Team K may go out-of-bounds (intentionally or unintentionally) during a down and return.

• Foul occurs when he returns; not when he steps out-of-bounds.

• If blocked out-of-bounds and returns immediately = NO FOUL.

• Restriction does not apply to Team B or R players who unintentionally step out-of-bounds.

EXCEPTION TO EXCEPTION TO THIS PRINCIPLETHIS PRINCIPLE

EXCEPTION TO EXCEPTION TO THIS PRINCIPLETHIS PRINCIPLE

• After a change of possession (kick recovered by R, fumble recovered by B, interception, etc.) restrictions on Team A or K unintentionally going out-of-bounds end.

• No player can step out intentionally and return.

• These principles apply to both the sideline and endline.

PENALTY ENFORCEMENTPENALTY ENFORCEMENT

• “Spot of Foul” is the spot player re-enters the field.

• During running play, basic spot is “spot of the foul.”

• During loose-ball play, basic spot is the “previous spot.”

• Use the “all but one principle.”

NO FOUL

B47 accidentallysteps out-of-Bounds

Returns and Makes the Tackle

Run

Pass

RUNNING PLAYRUNNING PLAY

PASSING PLAYPASSING PLAY

A87 accidentally steps on Sideline

ILLEGAL PARTICIPATIONBY A87

Run

Pass

Returns in boundsand catches ball

15 yards from Previous Spot

(loose ball play)

• Even though “illegal participation”:– NOT Ineligible Down Field– NOT Offensive Pass Interference

• A Player eligible at the beginning of a down remains eligible throughout that down.

ADDITIONAL ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONSCONSIDERATIONS

PASSING PLAYPASSING PLAY

B35 accidentally steps on sideline

NO FOULRun

Pass

Returns in boundsand intercepts ball

Illegal Participationby A21

A21 Fumbles

Run

Pass

A21 accidentallysteps on sideline

A21 recoversinbounds

RUNNING PLAYRUNNING PLAY

15 yards from Basic Spot (spot of fumble)

NO FOUL

A21 Fumbles

Run

Pass

B53 accidentallysteps on Sideline

B53 recoversinbounds

RUNNING PLAYRUNNING PLAY

PASSING PLAYPASSING PLAY

NO FOULRun

Pass

B24 Intercepts Ball

During Return,B52 steps on sideline

Then blocks A5 inbounds

PASSING PLAYPASSING PLAY

NO FOULRun

Pass

B24 intercepts ball

During return,A5 steps on sideline

then tackles B24 inbounds

FREE KICK PLAYFREE KICK PLAY

ILLEGAL PARTICIPATIONBy A88

While kick in flight,K88 accidentally touches sideline

K88 is blocked By R52

15 yards from Previous Spot

FREE KICK PLAYFREE KICK PLAY

ILLEGAL PARTICIPATIONBy A88

During return,K88 intentionally

runs out-of-bounds forseveral yards K88 contacts R52

15 yards from End of Run

FREE KICK PLAYFREE KICK PLAY

ILLEGAL PARTICIPATIONBy R63

R63 returns and blocks K57

During Return, R63intentionally runs

several steps on sideline

15 yards from End of Run

SCRIMMAGE KICK PLAYSCRIMMAGE KICK PLAY

NO FOUL

R7 returns and blocks K5

During return, R7accidentally steps

on sideline

SCRIMMAGE KICK PLAYSCRIMMAGE KICK PLAY

NO FOUL

K5 returns and is blocked by B7

During return, K5accidentally steps

on sideline

SCRIMMAGE KICK PLAYSCRIMMAGE KICK PLAY

ILLEGAL PARTICIPATIONBy K5

K5 returns and is blocked by B7

K5 accidentally steps on sideline

Kick is muffedand rolling

15 yards from Previous Spot

SCRIMMAGE KICK PLAYSCRIMMAGE KICK PLAY

NO FOUL

R7 returns and blocks K5

R7 accidentally steps on sideline

Kick is muffedand rolling

SCRIMMAGE KICK PLAYSCRIMMAGE KICK PLAY

NO FOUL

K5 returns and is blocked by B7

K5 accidentally steps on sideline

Kick is caughtthen fumbled

SCRIMMAGE KICK PLAYSCRIMMAGE KICK PLAY

NO FOUL

R7 returns and blocks K5

R7 accidentally steps on sideline

Kick is caughtthen fumbled

““Substitute EntersSubstitute EntersDuring Live Ball”During Live Ball”

If a team member enters to become the 11th player after the snap or free kick, on his side of the neutral zone, it is a foul.

• Considered a “substitute” and not a “player.”• If he does not participate, it is a live-ball “illegal

substitution” foul (five yards).• If he participates in any way (hindering

opponent, drawing coverage, touching the ball), it is a live-ball “illegal participation” foul (fifteen yards).

• Rule also applies to a substitute on the sideline.

CONSIDERATIONSCONSIDERATIONS

After snap, B37 enters and juststands there

ILLEGAL SUBSTITUTIONBy B37

5 yards from Basic Spot

PASSING PLAYPASSING PLAY

After snap, A87enters and draws

coverage from B21

ILLEGAL PARTICIPATIONBy A87

15 yards from Previous Spot

““SUBSTITUTE ENTERSSUBSTITUTE ENTERSON WRONG SIDE ON WRONG SIDE

OF NEUTRAL ZONE”OF NEUTRAL ZONE”

If a team member enters to become the 11th player, he must be on his side of the neutral zone prior to the snap or free kick. If the snap or free kick occurs while he is on the wrong side, it is a foul.

• Considered a “substitute” and not a “player.”• If he does not participate, it is a live-ball, “illegal

substitution” foul (five yards).• If he participates in any way (hindering

opponent, drawing coverage, touching the ball), it is a live-ball, “illegal participation” foul (fifteen yards).

• Rule also applies to a substitute on the sideline.

CONSIDERATIONSCONSIDERATIONS

B25 enters field and snap occurs.

ILLEGAL SUBSTITUTIONBy B25

Realizes error andstands there

5 yards from Previous Spot

PASSING PLAYPASSING PLAY

B25 enters field and snap occurs

ILLEGAL PARTICIPATIONBy B25

B25 pursuespasser.

15 yards from Previous Spot

RUNNING PLAYRUNNING PLAY

B25 enters field and snap occurs

ILLEGAL PARTICIPATIONBy B25

B25 pursuesball carrier

15 yards from Previous Spot

PASSING PLAYPASSING PLAY

B25 enters field and snap occurs.

ILLEGAL PARTICIPATIONBy B25

B25 goes tohis side and then participates

15 yards from Previous Spot

““TWELVE MEN ON FIELD:TWELVE MEN ON FIELD:LIVE BALL OR DEAD BALL FOUL?”LIVE BALL OR DEAD BALL FOUL?”

• A replaced player must “immediately” leave the field.– Must leave on his team’s sideline.

• Interpretation = 3 to 5 seconds.• If official’s count reveals 12 men on

field, “sure” count is accurate, and no one is leaving—

BEFORE SNAPBEFORE SNAP

• Blow whistle and throw flag

DEAD-BALL

“ILLEGAL SUBSTITUTION” FOUL (5 YARDS)

AFTER SNAPAFTER SNAP

• Throw flag and allow play to continue

LIVE-BALL

“ILLEGAL PARTICIPATION” FOUL (15 YARDS)

PLAY #1PLAY #1

• Team A breaks huddle and comes to the line. As QB barks signals, the Referee realizes there are 12 on field.

Blow whistle and throw flag for a dead-ball, illegal substitution, foul.

5 yards from Previous Spot

PLAY #2PLAY #2

• Team A breaks huddle and comes to the line. As QB barks signals, the Referee counts 11 players on the field. Then A12 enters the field and no player leaves.

Allow 3 seconds, if no player departs, throw flag and blow whistle for a dead-

ball foul.If snap occurs before 3 seconds elapses,

throw flag, let play continue and enforce a live-ball, illegal participation

foul.

5 yards from Previous Spot

15 yards from Previous Spot

OROR

PLAY #3PLAY #3

• Team A breaks huddle and comes to the line. As QB barks signals, the Referee thinks there are 12 players on the field. Nobody is trying to leave. As Referee recounts, the ball is snapped and Referee then discovers 12 on the field.

Throw flag, let play continue and enforce a live-ball, illegal

participation foul.

15 yards from Previous Spot