Distance Penalties

Loss of Five Yards

Second and each subsequent team timeout after the two minute
warning....................................................................................4-5-4
Delay of game, i.e.,
exceeding 40/25 seconds in putting ball in play..................... 4-6-1
repeatedly snapping ball before Referee can assume normal
position..............................4-6-5
runner remaining on ball or opponent remaining on runner to
consume time..................................4-6-5
undue delay in assembling after a time out..................4-6-5
undue delay in assembling after time out.....................4-6-5
defensive abrupt non-football movements.......................4-6-5
spiking or throwing the ball in the field of play..................4-6-5
taking the ball from a downed runner causing delay....4-6-5
Illegal substitution, i.e.,
substitute entering during play, withdrawn player on field at snap
or free kick (unlessinterference) or withdrawing on oponents side
or across endline....5-2-8
Illegal kick at free kick (ball remains dead and replay).6-1-1
Violation of free kick formation (includes kickoff), i.e.,
kickers failing to be behind ball or inbounds (except placekick
holder)...................................6-1-3
receivers failing to be inbounds or behind their free kick
line...................6-1-3
kicking team player (other than kicker) more than five yards
behind restraining line.............................................................6-2-3
less than four kicking team players on each side of kicker.....6-2-3
Making short free kick..................6-2-5
Illegally touching free kick (a) before it goes 10 yards or (b) after
being out of bounds................................6-2-4
Illegal position of Team A players at the snap, i.e.,
having fewer than seven players on line...................7-5-1
having player neither on nor one yard behind his line unless man
under center.....................................7-5-1
Illegally lining up over center......................9-1-3
Player entering neutral zone contacts opponent.....................7-4-3
Being offside at snap...................7-4-5
Neutral zone infraction.....................7-4-4
Player not reporting change in eligibility...................5-3-1
more than eleven men on field at snap or in formation...........5-1-1
Illegal motion by Team A at snap, i.e.,
player not being stationary (except) one only in motion clearly
backwards................................7-4-7
single player not moving clearly backward at snap.. 7-4-7
Pausing less than one second after a shift...................7-4-8
Being out of bounds at snap...................7-5-1
Not snapping ball when prescribed....................7-6-3
Illegally snapping ball i.e.,
failing to make backward pass................7-6-3
failing to place ball on ground as specified......................7-6-3
Failing to give impulse by continuous motion or sliding hands
along ball before snap.............................7-6-3
Snapper restrictions ....................7-6-3
False start......................7-4-2
Snap going to receiver on line....................7-6-4

Making forward pass in field of play not from

scrimmage...........................................................................8-1-2
Second forward pass...................... 8-1-2
Pass after ball crossed line of scrimmage and returned..8-1-2
Illegal touch of forward pass...................8-1-8
Ineligible player downfield on pass. ..................8-3-1
Illegal Forward Handling..................8-7-4
Ineligible player downfield on kick................. 9-1-2
Kicking team player voluntarily out of bounds during a
punt.....................9-1-5
Making invalid fair catch signal........................10-1-2
Illegal use of hands by defense, i.e.,
to hold an opponent who is not the runner other than to ward off
an opponent......................................12-1-6
Running into kicker behind his line (not roughing)................12-2-9

Loss of Ten Yards

Pass interference by Team A.....................8-5-4
holding, illegal use of hands, arms or body on offense, illegal
block in the back above the waist................................. 12-1-3
Tripping.....................................................................12-1-4, 12-1-8
Assisting runner..................12-1-4
Batting or punching ball, when loose (unless a pass), towards
opponents goal line or in any direction if in endzone12-4-1

Loss of Fifteen Yards

Not being able to start each half on scheduled time.4-2-1
Interfering with fair catch (and catch awarded)..................10-1-1
Tackling or blocking maker of a fair catch or avoidable running
into...................................10-2-3
Head Slap......................12-2-11
Striking, kneeing and kicking (also disqualification).12-2-11
Striking opponent below shoulders with forearm or elbow by
turning or pivoting...................................12-2-12
Twisting, turning or pulling of opponents facemask.12-2-13
Blocking below waist on kicks and change of possession.12-2-5
Roughing the kicker...................12-2-9
Falling on or piling on a prostrate player..................12-2-14
Unnecessary roughness (also disqualification when flagrant),
i.e.,
striking an opponent with foot or shin in a whipping motion..12-2-6
tackling runner who is out of bounds...................12-2-6
running into, throwing body against a player obviously out of the
play or after the ball is dead....................................12-2-6
running into from behind or dropping body across back of legs of
opponent who is not the runner (clipping)...12-2-1
Illegal crackback.....................12-2-2
Peel-back block......................12-2-4
Blindside block....................12-2-7
Roughing the passer.........................12-2-8
Chop block...................12-2-3
Illegal block after fair catch signal....................10-2-2
Unsportsmanlike conduct by players (also disqualification
when flagrant), i.e.,
using abusive or insulting language or gestures to players or
officials or continuing acts...................................12-3-1-b
taunting..............................12-3-1--c

OFFICIAL NFL PLAYING RULES 96

player pushing, shoving, or laying hand on official.12-3-1-g

attempting to disconcert Team A at snap by words or
signals....................12-3-1-i
concealing the ball under clothing or substituting article for
ball..........................12-3-1-j
lingering....................12-3-1-k
leverage..................................12-3-1-o
repeatedly violating substitution rule in attempt to conserve
time.....................................................12-3-1-l
violating 40-second rule more than twice (same down) after a
warning...............................12-3-1-m
leaping to attempt to block a field goal or point after touchdown
unless the player was lined up on the line of scrimmage when the
ball was snapped....................................................12-3-1-q
a punter, placekicker or holder who simulates being roughed or
run into by a defensive player.....................................12-3-1-s
receiving team forming illegal wedge on free kick...................6-1-3
Illegal conduct by non-players (also exclusion for flagrant
violations), i.e.,
player on field communicating other than to coach in prescribed
area.....................................13-1-1
team representatives using unsportsmanlike conduct during game
or between halves or sitting on bench when not
qualified..................................13-1-1
non-players going on field without permission (other than team
attendants during a team time out)....................................13-1-2
non-players moving along boundary lines (unless substitute
warming up or coach in prescribed area).13-1-5

Player using a helmet as a weapon..................12-2-15

Disqualified player returning (exclusion from field
enclosure)..................5-2-7
Suspended player illegally returning..................5-2-7
unnecessary physical contact with game official................12-3-1-g

Loss of Ball Penalties

Ball being behind necessary line at end of fourth down..7-1-1
Kickers first touching kick (not a free kick in field of play)9-2-2
Kickers illegally touching free kick before it travels ten
yards.............................................................................9-2-2, 6-2-4
Interfering with fair catch (also fair catch allowed)..10-1-1

Disqualification for Entire Game

Repeat violation by player wearing or displaying illegal
equipment..................5-4-9

Charged Time Out Penalties

Taking time out for injured player during last two minutes of either
half (withdrawal only when fourth time out also loss of five when
fifth or more)..............................................................4-5-4

Time Penalty
Actions to conserve time.................4-7-1
Fouling by defense, illegal touching or fair-catch interfering by
offense or fouling by both teams at end of half during play in
which time expires (extend quarter)....4-8-2

Loss of Half Distance to Goal Line

Pass interference by Team B in its end zone and previous spot is
inside its 2-yard line...........................................8-5-4
Distance penalty enforced from a spot between goal lines carrying
ball more than half the distance to either goal line..14-2-1

Ball placed on 1-Yard Line

Pass interference by Team B in its end zone and previous spot is
outside its 2-yard line............................................8-5-4

Replay Penalties
Team B fouling on Try which fails................11-3-3
Committing double foul unless dead-ball fouls by both teams after
ball is dead ......................................14-1-8 & 9; 14-3-1; &14-3-2

Scoring Penalties
Try Awarded
Team B committing a foul during a Try which would ordinarily
result in a safety................................11-3-3

Withdrawal Penalties
Excess time out.....................4-5-4
Player being disqualified, suspended (illegal equipment), or
replaced...............................................5-4-1
Illegal return (loss of five also)................5-2-8

Score Awarded
Repeated fouling by defense to prevent score..................12-3-2

Touchdown Awarded

Disqualification Penalties
Disqualification always occurs in combination with a 15-yard
penalty. Exceptions to distance penalties:
Both teams committing disqualifying fouls (double
foul)...................14-3-1
Distance being declined................14-6

Loss of 15 yards
Flagrant striking, kicking, or kneeing an opponent or striking him
on head or neck with heel, back or side of hand wrist, elbow, or
forearm.......................................................12-2-11
Flagrant roughing of kicker...................12-2-9
Flagrant roughing of passer..................12-2-8
Flagrant unsportsmanlike conduct by players...................12-3-1

Committing palpably unfair act which deprives opponent of a

touchdown.........................................12-3-3 and 13-1-7

Safety
Offense fouling anywhere, and spot of enforcement is behind its
own goal line...................................11-5-1 and 14-1-11
Intentional grounding in own end zone.....................8-2-1
Making a forward pass (not from scrimmage) from within passers
end zone...........................................8-1-2 and 14-1-11

Score Not Allowed

Offending team scores after foul during down in which time
expires for half (also no extension of time)..........................4-8-2

OFFICIAL NFL PLAYING RULES 97

Unsuccessful Try
Team A committing foul during a Try which would ordinarily result:
in loss of down or in a touchback....................11-3-2
in loss of ball in field of play (not during a kick)....................11-3-2
Team B recovering ball.................11-3-2

Kickoff Out of Bounds Between Goal Lines

New Series Penalties

Ball Remains Dead

Team B committing a foul during play from scrimmage giving

Team A first down irrespective of distance penalty (automatic first
down)...........................................................14-8-5
Team B committing a foul not giving Team A first down
unless enforecement places ball in advance of necessary
line, i.e.,
excess time out.....................4-5-4
delay of game....................5-6-5
illegal substitution.....................5-2-8
illegal equipment (suspension)...................5-4-9
encroachment .................................................................7-4-3
offside......................................................................................7-4-5
neutral zone infraction.............................................................7-4-4
running into kicker.................................................................12-2-9
more than eleven players on field at snap or in formation.......5-1-1
Team B interfering in field of play with a pass from behind line
(distance penalty in addition when personal
foul)...................8-5-1 and 12-2-11

Actions which delay game...................4-6-1

Snapping before Officials assume normal position...4-6-1

Receivers ball at inbounds spot when last touched by

them................6-2-3
Receivers ball 25 yards from spot of kick........................6-2-3

Ball Dead Immediately

Committing acts designed to consume time.................4-7-1
Kickers recovering free kick................6-1-4
Kickers advancing after recovery of a scrimmage kick unless
behind line other than a Try-kick (9-3-1)..............................9-3-2
Any kick touching receivers goal post or cross bar unless scoring
field goal.........................................6-1-5; 9-4-2; and 11-6-2
Official sounding whistle (even when accidental)................7-2-1
Any receiver catching after fair-catch signal unless first touched
by kickers..........................................10-2-3

Penalty Enforced From Goal Line

Defense fouling and spot of enforcement is behind goal line of
offense...........................14-1-11
Runner crosses opponents goal line and spot of enforcing foul by
teammate during run is behind defense goal line.14-1-12

Combination Penalties
Loss of Down and Five

Penalty Enforced on Next Free Kick

Making a forward pass from scrimmage from beyond the

line......................8-1-2

A team scoring and opponents commit a personal or

unsportsmanlike conduct foul or a palpably unfair act, during
down..............................14-1-14

Loss of Down and Ten

Intentionally grounds pass (from behind line)..................8-2-1
illegally kicked ball.................................................................12-4-3

Loss of ball and Fifteen

Interfering with a possible fair catch in field of play (also fair
catch).......................10-1-1

Touchback
Kickers illegally touching kick (not free kick) inside receiver five
yard line........................................9-2-3
Fair-catch interfering or running into maker of in receivers end
zone........................................10-1-1

Score, Distance or Disqualification

Referee makes equitable ruling:..................15-2-1
player committing palpably unfair act..................12-3-3
non-player committing palpably unfair act......................13-1-7

Miscellaneous Situations
Safety
Ball in possession of team behind or out of bounds behind own
goal line and impetus which sent it in touch came from player of
that team.................................................................11-5-1

OFFICIAL NFL PLAYING RULES 98