Page 235 - Revised Unified Sports Curriculum electronic version Rev. 8.1_2

e. Interceptions change possession of the ball at the point of the interception.
1. Exception: A ball intercepted in the end zone is spotted at the 5-yard line.
a. Dead Balls/Fumbles
i. There are no fumbles. The ball is spotted where it hits the ground or
where the ball was positioned before being fumbled forward.
ii. Play is ruled dead when:
a. The ball carrier’s flag is pulled;
b. The ball carrier loses his/her flag;
c. The ball carrier steps out of bounds;
d. The ball carrier’s knee or hand touches the ground;
e. A touchdown, extra point, or safety is scored;
f. When during a try-for-point the defense obtains possession of the
ball;
g. When a forward pass strikes the ground or is caught
simultaneously by opposing players (the offense retains possession);
h. A pass is intercepted (no returns);
i. A receiver catches a ball without his/her flags attached;
j. A snapped ball touches the ground; or
k. When there is an inadvertent whistle.
i. Penalties
1. The following options are available to teams which will be
identified prior to State/National competition by the State Office based on program needs, time,
and number of teams. Only one option may be used during the competition.
1. Option 1: Coach’s will have the opportunity to decline or
accept the penalty based on result of the play.
2. Option 2: Each team will be allowed to decline a penalty
twice during a game. Otherwise, all penalties are automatically accepted.
3. Option 3: All penalties are automatically accepted (no
declination).
2. All penalties are assessed from the line of scrimmage.
3. No penalty may take the ball more than half the distance to the
offender’s goal line.
4. Sportsmanship/Roughing
1. The officials will disqualify any player who participates in
rough or unsportsmanlike play.
2. No warning is required.
5. Offense: 10-yards from the line of scrimmage and loss of down
1. Illegal Motion (more than one (1) player moving at snap,
moving forward at snap);
2. Offside (in neutral zone at snap, false start);
3. Illegal Forward Pass (not beyond line of scrimmage; Partner
to Partner, unless it is an OPEN Play, See Rule 5);
4. Illegal Procedure (Quarterback run);
5. Pass Interference (picking or pushing defender);
6. Illegal Contact (holding, blocking, bumping, stiff arming);
7. Flag Guarding (driving, spinning, warding off, hurdling); and
8. Delay of Game (failing to snap within 30 seconds).
6. Defense: 10-yards from the line of scrimmage and automatic first
down
1. Offside (in or beyond neutral zone at snap);
2. Pass Interference;
3. Illegal Contact (holding, blocking, bumping);
4. Illegal Flag Pull (before receiver has ball); and
5. Illegal Rushing (rushing Quarterback inside 5-yard line).