Rule 3 — Definitions
Section 1 — Approved Ruling (A.R.)
An Approved Ruling (A.R.) is a written decision on a given statement of facts and serves to illustrate the intent and application of a rule. Supplemental Notes are used to amplify a rule. A Note is more specific and applies to a particular situation.
An Official Ruling (O.R.) is a ruling made in the interim between the annual rules meetings and is official only during the current season.
Technical Terms are such terms that have a fixed and defined meaning throughout the Playing Rules.
Section 2 — The Ball and Possession of the Ball
Article 1 — Dead Ball
A dead ball is one that is not in play. The time period during which the ball is dead is between downs. This includes the interval during all timeouts, including intermission, and from the time the ball becomes dead until it is legally put in play.
Article 2 — Ball Ready for Play
A dead ball is ready for play while the 40-second play clock is running when the ball is placed down by an official at the spot where the ball will next be put in play, or when the Referee signals for the 25-second play clock to start.
Article 3 — Live Ball
A live ball is a ball that is in play. A dead ball becomes a live ball when it is:
- (a) legally kicked on a free kick down;
- (b) legally snapped on a scrimmage down; or
- (c) legally kicked on a fair catch kick down.
It continues in play until the down ends.
Article 4 — Loose Ball
A loose ball is a live ball that is not in player possession, i.e., any ball that has been kicked, passed, or fumbled. A loose ball is considered to be in possession of the team (offense) whose player kicked, passed, or fumbled it. It is a loose ball until a player secures possession or until the ball becomes dead. If it has not yet struck the ground, a loose ball is in flight.
Article 5 — Fumble
A fumble is any act, other than passing, successful handing, or legally kicking the ball, which results in a loss of player possession. It is not a fumble if the player immediately regains control of the ball. A fumble ends when a player of either team possesses the ball, or when the ball is dead.
Note: An intentional fumble that causes the ball to go forward is a forward pass and may be illegal.
Article 6 — Muff
A muff is the touching of a loose ball by a player in an unsuccessful attempt to obtain possession of it.
Note: Any ball intentionally muffed forward is a bat and may be a foul.
Article 7 — Player Possession
A player is in possession when he is inbounds and has control of the ball with his hands or arms.
To gain possession of a loose ball that has been caught, intercepted, or recovered, a player (a) must have complete control of the ball with his hands or arms and (b) have both feet or any other part of his body, other than his hands, completely on the ground inbounds, and, after (a) and (b) have been fulfilled, clearly perform any act common to the game.
Section 3 — Bat
A bat is the intentional striking of the ball with any part of the hand or arm.
Section 4 — Blocking
Blocking is the act of obstructing or impeding an opponent by contacting him with a part of the blocker's body. A block in the back is a block that is delivered from behind an opponent above his waist. It is not a block in the back: (a) if a player is making a personal attempt to recover a loose ball; (b) if the opponent turns away from the blocker when contact is imminent; or (c) if both of the blocker's hands are on the opponent's side.
A block below the waist is when the initial contact with any part of the blocker's body is below the waist of an opponent, other than the runner, who has one or both feet on the ground.
Section 5 — Chucking
Chucking is intentionally contacting an eligible receiver who is in front of a defender.
Section 6 — Close-Line Play
Close-line play is contact that occurs in an area extending between the outside edges of the normal tackle positions and three yards on either side of the line of scrimmage. Close-line play no longer exists after the ball leaves that area.
Section 7 — Disqualified Player
A disqualified player is one who is prohibited from further participation in the game. He must return to his dressing room within a reasonable period of time and is not permitted to reappear in his team uniform or return to any area other than to which spectators have access.
Section 8 — Down
Article 1 — Down
A down is a period of action that starts when the ball is put in play and ends when the ball is declared dead.
- A down that starts with a snap is a scrimmage down.
- A down that starts with a free kick is a free kick down.
- A down that starts with a fair catch kick is a fair catch kick down.
Article 2 — Series of Downs
A series of downs is the four consecutive charged scrimmage downs allotted to the offensive team during which it must advance the ball to a yard line called "the line to gain" in order to retain possession.
Article 3 — Line to Gain
The line to gain is the spot 10 yards in advance of the spot of the snap that starts a series, except when a goal line is less than 10 yards from this spot. In that case, the line to gain is the goal line.
Article 4 — Charged Down
A charged down is a scrimmage down that is not nullified by a penalty, or during which there is not a change of possession.
Article 5 — First Down
The initial down in each series is the first down. If it is a charged down, subsequent charged downs are numbered consecutively (i.e., second down, third down, or fourth down) until a new series is declared for either team.
Section 9 — Fair Catch
A fair catch is an unhindered catch of a scrimmage kick that has crossed the line of scrimmage and has not touched the ground or of a free kick that has not touched the ground, by a player of the receiving team who has given a valid fair catch signal. A fair catch may be followed by a fair catch kick.
Section 10 — Field Goal
A field goal is made by kicking the ball from the field of play through the plane of the opponent's goal, which is an area either between the goal posts and above the crossbar, or, if above the goal posts, between the outside edges of the goal posts. A field goal is made by a drop kick or a place kick from on or behind the line on a play from scrimmage or during a fair catch kick.
Section 11 — The Field
Article 1 — Boundary Lines
The boundary lines are the end lines and the sidelines and enclose the field upon which the game is played.
Article 2 — End Lines
The end lines are the lines at each end of the field and are perpendicular to the sidelines. The end line is 10 yards from the goal line and at the back of the end zone.
Article 3 — End Zone
The end zone is the rectangle formed by the goal line, the end line, and the sidelines. The goal line and the pylons are in the end zone.
Article 4 — Field of Play
The field of play is the rectangle formed by the goal lines and the sidelines. It does not include the end zone.
Article 5 — Goal
The goal is the area above the crossbar between the uprights, or, if above the uprights, the area between the outside edges of the uprights. A team's own goal is the one it is defending.
Article 6 — Goal Lines
The goal lines are the lines between the sidelines that separate the end zone from the field of play. The goal lines are vertical planes that are parallel to and 10 yards from the end lines.
Article 7 — Inbounds Lines
The inbounds lines are hash marks on the field of play that are 70 feet, 9 inches from and parallel to each sideline and intersect each yard line marking at right angles.
Article 8 — Sidelines
The sidelines are the lines on each side of the field and are perpendicular to the end lines. The sidelines separate the field of play from the area that is out of bounds.
Article 9 — Yard Line
A yard line is any line and its vertical plane parallel to the end line. The yard lines in the field of play are named by number in yards from a team's goal line to the center of the field.
Section 12 — Forward Progress
Article 1 — Forward Progress
The forward progress of a runner or airborne receiver is the point at which his advance toward his opponent's goal ends and is the spot at which the ball is declared dead by rule, irrespective of the runner or receiver being pushed or carried backward by an opponent.
Article 2 — Forward, Beyond, or in Advance
Forward, beyond, or in advance of are terms that designate a point nearer the goal line of the defense. Backward or behind designate a point nearer the goal line of the offense.
Section 13 — Fouls and Spots of Enforcement, Violation
Article 1 — Types of Fouls
A foul is any infraction of a playing rule for which a penalty is prescribed.
- (a) A live ball foul is a foul that occurs during the period after the snap until the ball is dead.
- (b) A dead ball foul is a foul that occurs in the continuing action after a down ends, or a taunting foul that occurs at any time.
- (c) A foul between downs is a foul that occurs after the end of the down and after any continuing action resulting from the down, but prior to the next snap or free kick.
- (d) A multiple foul is one of two or more fouls by the same team during the same down.
- (e) A double foul is a foul by either team during the same down during which both teams commit at least one foul.
Article 2 — Basic Spot
The basic spot is a reference point for specific types of plays that is used to determine the spot of enforcement.
Article 3 — Spots of Enforcement
The spots of enforcement are: (a) the previous spot; (b) the spot of the foul; (c) the spot of a backward pass or fumble; (d) the dead ball spot; (e) the succeeding spot; (f) the other Try spot; (g) the spot of a change of possession.
Article 4 — Violation
A violation is an infraction of a playing rule for which a penalty is not prescribed. A violation does not offset a foul.
Section 14 — Handing the Ball
Handing the ball is transferring player possession from one teammate to another without passing or kicking it.
- (a) Except where permitted by rule, handing the ball forward to a teammate is illegal.
- (b) Loss of player possession by unsuccessful execution of attempted handing is a fumble.
- (c) A forward handoff occurs when the ball is handed to a player who is in advance of a teammate from whose hands he takes or receives it.
Section 15 — Huddle
A huddle is the action of two or more players in the field of play or in the end zone who, instead of assuming their normal position for the snap, free kick, or fair catch kick, form a group for receiving instructions for the next play or for any other reason.
Section 16 — Impetus
Impetus is the action of a player who carries the ball or provides the force (i.e., a pass, kick, snap, or fumble) that causes a ball in the field of play to touch or cross a goal line.
Section 17 — Kicks
Article 1 — Kick
A kick is intentionally striking the ball with the knee, lower leg, or foot.
- Item 1. Drop Kick. A drop kick is a kick by a player who drops the ball and kicks it as, or immediately after, it touches the ground.
- Item 2. Place Kick. A place kick is a kick made by a player while the ball is in a fixed position on the ground.
- Item 3. Punt. A punt is a kick made by a player who drops the ball and kicks it before it strikes the ground.
Article 2 — Kicker
A kicker is the player of Team A who legally drop kicks, place kicks, or punts the ball. Team A is identified as the kicking team during a down in which there is a scrimmage kick, free kick, or fair catch kick.
Article 3 — Receiver
A receiver is any Team B player during a down in which there is a scrimmage kick, free kick, or fair catch kick. Team B is identified as the receiving team during the entire down.
Article 4 — Fair Catch Kick
A fair catch kick is a drop kick or place kick without a tee from the spot of a fair catch in an attempt to score a field goal.
Article 5 — Free Kick
A free kick is a kickoff, safety kick, or onside kick that puts the ball in play to start a free kick down.
- Item 1. Kickoff. A kickoff is a kick that puts the ball in play at the start of each half, after a try, and after a successful field goal.
- Item 2. Safety Kick. A safety kick is a kick that puts the ball in play after a safety.
- Item 3. Onside Kick. An onside kick is a free kick that the kicking team attempts to legally recover.
Article 6 — Restraining Lines
The restraining lines are lines which restrict the alignment of the kicking and receiving teams during a free kick and fair catch kick.
Article 7 — Scrimmage Kick
A scrimmage kick is a punt, drop kick, or place kick from on or behind the line of scrimmage.
- Item 1. Scrimmage Kick Formation. A scrimmage kick formation is a formation with no player in position to receive a hand-to-hand snap and at least one player 10 or more yards behind the neutral zone (punt) or a potential holder and potential kicker seven or more yards behind the neutral zone (field goal/Try kick).
Article 8 — Tee
A tee is an approved device that is used to elevate the ball for a place kick during any free kick.
Section 18 — Line of Scrimmage, Neutral Zone
Article 1 — Scrimmage Line
The line of scrimmage is the vertical plane of the yard line that passes through the forward point of the ball after it has been made ready for play.
Article 2 — Neutral Zone
The neutral zone is the space between the forward and backward points of the ball (planes) and extends to the sidelines.
Article 3 — Player on Line of Scrimmage
A player of Team A, who is on the line of scrimmage, must have his shoulders facing Team B's goal line.
- Item 1. Non-Snapper. No part of his body is permitted to be in the neutral zone at the snap.
- Item 2. Snapper. No part of his body may be beyond the neutral zone.
- Item 3. Team B. A Team B player is considered to be on the line of scrimmage if he is within one yard of the neutral zone.
Article 4 — Encroaching
A player is encroaching on the neutral zone when any part of his body is in it, and he contacts an offensive player or the ball prior to the snap.
Section 19 — Offside
A player is offside when any part of his body or his person is in the neutral zone, or is beyond his team's restraining line when the ball is put in play.
Section 20 — Out of Bounds, Inbounds, and Inbounds Spot
Article 1 — Player or Official Out of Bounds
A player or an official is out of bounds when he touches a boundary line, or when he touches anything that is on or outside a boundary line, except a player, an official, or a pylon.
Article 2 — Player Inbounds
A player who has been out of bounds reestablishes himself as an inbounds player when both feet, or any part of his body other than his hands, touch the ground within the boundary lines.
Article 3 — Ball Out of Bounds
- Item 1. Ball in Player Possession. A ball that is in player possession is out of bounds when the runner is out of bounds, or when the ball touches a boundary line or anything that is on or outside such line.
- Item 2. Loose Ball. A loose ball that is not in player control is out of bounds when it touches a boundary line or anything that is on or outside such line, including a player, an official, or a pylon.
Article 4 — Out of Bounds Spot
- Item 1. Loose Ball. The out of bounds spot is the forward point of the ball when the ball crosses the sideline.
- Item 2. Runner Out of Bounds. The out of bounds spot is the forward point of the ball when the ball crosses the sideline or at the instant the player is out of bounds.
Article 5 — Inbounds Spot
The inbounds spot is a spot on the inbounds line (the hash marks) that passes through the spot where the ball went out of bounds between the goal lines.
Section 21 — Pass
Article 1 — Pass
A pass is the movement caused by a player intentionally throwing, or shoveling/pushing (shovel pass) the ball.
Article 3 — Forward Pass
It is a forward pass if the ball initially moves forward after leaving the passer's hand(s), or if the ball first strikes the ground or a player at a point nearer the opponent's goal line than the point at which the ball leaves the passer's hand(s).
Article 4 — Backward Pass
It is a backward pass if the ball, after leaving the passer's hand(s), initially moves in a direction parallel to or toward the passer's end line.
Section 22 — Penalty
A penalty is a result imposed on a team because of a foul. A penalty includes loss of a down and/or a distance penalty.
Section 23 — Player, Substitute, Replaced Player
A player is any one of the participants in the game who is on the playing field. There shall be no more than 11 players per team on the playing field when the ball is in play.
Section 24 — Pocket Area
The pocket area is the area between the two offensive tackle positions, or outside either tackle if the quarterback is outside that area, and behind the line of scrimmage.
Section 25 — Prior to and After
"Prior to" means before a given action. "After" means following a given action.
Section 26 — Previous Spot
The previous spot is the spot at which the ball was last put in play.
Section 27 — Simultaneous Catch or Recovery
If a loose ball is controlled simultaneously by two opponents, and both players retain it, it is simultaneous possession, and the ball belongs to the team last in possession, or to the receiving team when there has been a free kick, scrimmage kick, or fair catch kick.
Section 28 — Snap
A snap is a backward pass made by the snapper who is on the line of scrimmage.
Section 29 — Scrimmage Down
A scrimmage down is a down that starts with a snap.
Section 30 — Spot
A spot is a specific point on the playing field.
Section 31 — Snap (additional)
The snap must start with the ball on the ground, with its long axis at right angles to the line.
Section 32 — Tackle
A tackle is an act by a defensive player to stop a runner, and includes contacting any part of a runner's body with any part of his body.
Section 33 — Tight End Box
The tight end box is the area between the outer edges of the normal tackle positions, extended from the line of scrimmage to 3 yards on either side of it.
Section 34 — Try
A Try is a scrimmage down that follows a touchdown and is an opportunity for a team to score additional points.
Section 35 — Touchback
A touchback is a situation where a ball is declared dead on or behind a team's own goal line and the impetus came from the opponent.
Section 36 — Timeout
A timeout is a suspension of play called by a game official or by a team.