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class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2</span> <span>Signaling and announcing penalties</span> </div> </a> <button aria-controls="toc-Signaling_and_announcing_penalties-sublist" class="cdx-button cdx-button--weight-quiet cdx-button--icon-only vector-toc-toggle"> <span class="vector-icon mw-ui-icon-wikimedia-expand"></span> <span>Toggle Signaling and announcing penalties subsection</span> </button> <ul id="toc-Signaling_and_announcing_penalties-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> <li id="toc-History" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#History"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.1</span> <span>History</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-History-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Today" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Today"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.2</span> <span>Today</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Today-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-General_types_of_penalty_enforcement" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#General_types_of_penalty_enforcement"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">3</span> <span>General types of penalty enforcement</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-General_types_of_penalty_enforcement-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Intentional_fouls" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Intentional_fouls"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">4</span> <span>Intentional fouls</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Intentional_fouls-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-The_ten-second_runoff_rule" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#The_ten-second_runoff_rule"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">5</span> <span>The ten-second runoff rule</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-The_ten-second_runoff_rule-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-List_of_penalties" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#List_of_penalties"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">6</span> <span>List of penalties</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-List_of_penalties-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-See_also" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#See_also"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">7</span> <span>See also</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-See_also-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-References" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#References"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">8</span> <span>References</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-References-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </nav> </div> </div> <div class="mw-content-container"> <main id="content" class="mw-body"> <header class="mw-body-header vector-page-titlebar"> <nav aria-label="Contents" class="vector-toc-landmark"> <div id="vector-page-titlebar-toc" class="vector-dropdown vector-page-titlebar-toc vector-button-flush-left" > <input type="checkbox" id="vector-page-titlebar-toc-checkbox" role="button" aria-haspopup="true" data-event-name="ui.dropdown-vector-page-titlebar-toc" class="vector-dropdown-checkbox " aria-label="Toggle the table of contents" > <label id="vector-page-titlebar-toc-label" for="vector-page-titlebar-toc-checkbox" class="vector-dropdown-label cdx-button cdx-button--fake-button cdx-button--fake-button--enabled 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dir="ltr"><div class="shortdescription nomobile noexcerpt noprint searchaux" style="display:none">Penalty in American football</div> <figure typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Back_Judge_picks_up_flag_at_Rams_at_49ers_11-16-08.JPG" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fb/Back_Judge_picks_up_flag_at_Rams_at_49ers_11-16-08.JPG/325px-Back_Judge_picks_up_flag_at_Rams_at_49ers_11-16-08.JPG" decoding="async" width="325" height="243" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fb/Back_Judge_picks_up_flag_at_Rams_at_49ers_11-16-08.JPG/488px-Back_Judge_picks_up_flag_at_Rams_at_49ers_11-16-08.JPG 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fb/Back_Judge_picks_up_flag_at_Rams_at_49ers_11-16-08.JPG/650px-Back_Judge_picks_up_flag_at_Rams_at_49ers_11-16-08.JPG 2x" data-file-width="2288" data-file-height="1712" /></a><figcaption>NFL back judge Lee Dyer retrieves a penalty flag on the field during a game on November 16, 2008 between the <a href="/wiki/2008_San_Francisco_49ers_season" title="2008 San Francisco 49ers season">San Francisco 49ers</a> and <a href="/wiki/2008_St._Louis_Rams_season" title="2008 St. Louis Rams season">St. Louis Rams</a>.</figcaption></figure> <p>In <a href="/wiki/Gridiron_football" title="Gridiron football">gridiron football</a>, a <b>penalty</b> is a sanction assessed against a team for a violation of the rules, called a <a href="/wiki/Foul_(sports)" title="Foul (sports)">foul</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> <a href="/wiki/Official_(American_football)" class="mw-redirect" title="Official (American football)">Officials</a> initially signal penalties by tossing a bright yellow colored <a href="/wiki/Penalty_flag" title="Penalty flag">penalty flag</a> onto the field toward or at the spot of a foul.<sup id="cite_ref-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-2"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>2<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Many penalties result in moving the football toward the offending team's end zone, usually in 5 yard increments. Penalties may go as high as 25 yards depending on the penalty and league. Most penalties against the defensive team also result in the offense receiving an automatic <a href="/wiki/First_down" class="mw-redirect" title="First down">first down</a>, while a few penalties against the offensive team cause them to automatically lose a down. </p><p>In some cases, depending on the spot of the foul, the ball is moved half the distance to the <a href="/wiki/Goal_line_(American_football)" class="mw-redirect" title="Goal line (American football)">goal line</a> rather than the usual number of yards, or the defense scores an automatic <a href="/wiki/Safety_(gridiron_football_score)" title="Safety (gridiron football score)">safety</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-3"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <meta property="mw:PageProp/toc" /> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Rationale">Rationale</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Penalty_(gridiron_football)&action=edit&section=1" title="Edit section: Rationale"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Because football is a high-<a href="/wiki/Contact_sport" title="Contact sport">contact sport</a> requiring a balance between offense and defense, many rules exist that regulate equality, safety, contact, and actions of players on each team. It is very difficult to always avoid violating these rules without giving up too much of an advantage.<sup id="cite_ref-4" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-4"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Thus, an elaborate system of fouls and penalties has been developed to "<a href="/wiki/Let_the_punishment_fit_the_crime" class="mw-redirect" title="Let the punishment fit the crime">let the punishment fit the crime</a>" and maintain a balance between following the rules and keeping a good flow of the game. For example, it is in large part because sacking the quarterback typically results in a loss of about ten yards, and because illegal holding is often committed by members of the offense in an effort to prevent the quarterback from being sacked, that the penalty for a holding foul is set at ten yards. </p><p>Players and coaches are constantly looking for ways to find an advantage that stretches the limitations imposed by the rules. For example, in 2016 the <a href="/wiki/Baltimore_Ravens" title="Baltimore Ravens">Baltimore Ravens</a> had all of their <a href="/wiki/Lineman_(gridiron_football)" title="Lineman (gridiron football)">offensive linemen</a> commit holding penalties to allow the punter to keep possession of the ball so time would expire for a win, since the game can end on offensive penalties. However, the NFL changed the rules after this to prevent teams from manipulating the game clock in this way. The frequency and severity of fouls can make a large difference in the outcome of a game as well, so coaches are constantly looking for ways to minimize the number and severity of infractions committed by their players. </p><p>Often, the initial result of a play in which a foul is committed is of greater benefit to the non-offending team compared to the benefit of the penalty. For example, if the offense commits a holding foul, it would not be to the advantage of the defense to have the penalty assessed if in spite of the foul they sacked the quarterback for a twelve yard loss, especially considering the offense would have the chance to repeat the down if penalized for holding. Therefore, teams have the option of <i>declining</i> to have penalties assessed – when this occurs, the initial result of the play will stand. It is a common misconception that the term <i>penalty</i> is used to refer both to an infraction and the penal consequence of that infraction. A <i>foul</i> is a rule infraction (e.g. offensive holding) for which a <i>penalty</i> (e.g. move back 10 yards) is either assessed or declined.<sup id="cite_ref-5" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>5<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Signaling_and_announcing_penalties">Signaling and announcing penalties</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Penalty_(gridiron_football)&action=edit&section=2" title="Edit section: Signaling and announcing penalties"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="History">History</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Penalty_(gridiron_football)&action=edit&section=3" title="Edit section: History"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Penalties were originally signaled using whistles or horns. In 1943, college coach <a href="/wiki/Dike_Beede#Father_of_penalty_flag" title="Dike Beede">Dike Beede</a> gave the first penalty flags to a 4-person crew led by Jack McPhee, who found the penalty flags clear and easy to use in noisy environments, which led to their eventual use in professional football in 1948.<sup id="cite_ref-6" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-6"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>6<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Today">Today</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Penalty_(gridiron_football)&action=edit&section=4" title="Edit section: Today"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p><a href="/wiki/Official_(American_football)" class="mw-redirect" title="Official (American football)">Officials</a> initially signal fouls by tossing a bright yellow <a href="/wiki/Penalty_flag_(American_football)" class="mw-redirect" title="Penalty flag (American football)">flag</a> onto the field toward or at the spot of the foul. Until 2021, flags in Canadian football were orange.<sup id="cite_ref-7" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-7"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>7<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Because of this, broadcasters and fans often use the terms "flag", "flag on the play", or "flag is down" to refer to fouls during the game. </p><p>During a play, multiple officials may flag the same foul, and multiple flags may be thrown for separate fouls on the same play. If applicable, the same official can signal additional fouls on a given play by throwing a <a href="/wiki/Beanbag" class="mw-redirect" title="Beanbag">beanbag</a> or their cap. When officials throw a flag during a down, play does not stop until the ball becomes dead under normal conditions, as if there were no fouls. </p><p>Once the ball is dead, or immediately when a foul is called after a play is over or prior to a <a href="/wiki/Snap_(gridiron_football)" title="Snap (gridiron football)">snap</a> (since the ball is dead anyway), the referee, the officials who threw the flags and other officials with a view of the play confer on whether the initially <i>alleged</i> infraction is adjudged (after deliberation and consideration of the rule(s) and the infraction) to have actually been committed, what it was, and who committed it. The final determination and assessment of the penalty is the sole responsibility of the referee.<sup id="cite_ref-8" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-8"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>8<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The referee then makes initial body signals to the press box indicating what fouls were committed and the team that committed them, the latter shown by extending the arm toward that team's end zone.<sup id="cite_ref-9" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-9"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>9<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>The referee then confers with the offended team's on-field captain to find out whether the offended team would rather decline the penalty and take the result of the play.<sup id="cite_ref-10" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-10"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>10<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The result of the play may be more advantageous to the offended team, especially, for example, if time is running out in the half and a 7-yard gain is a better option than a 5-yard penalty. However, the referee may not have to confer with the team captain because the choice is fairly obvious (such as when the defense commits a foul during a play in which the offense scores a touchdown).<sup id="cite_ref-11" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-11"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>11<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> After any final conference, the referee then makes full visual signals describing the foul in detail, consisting of: the foul that was committed, the team that committed it, whether or not the opposing team chooses to decline it, the resulting down or possession, and any other penalties such as <a href="/wiki/Ejection_(sports)#American_football" title="Ejection (sports)">disqualification</a> (ejection) of a player from the game or a ten-second runoff from the game clock. In <a href="/wiki/College_football" title="College football">college football</a>, the NFL and other professional leagues, and in some high school games, the referee also announces the fouls and their penalties over the stadium's <a href="/wiki/Public_address_system" title="Public address system">public address system</a> using a <a href="/wiki/Wireless_microphone" title="Wireless microphone">wireless microphone</a>. In college and professional football, and high school in some states, the referee will also give out the jersey numbers of the player(s) who committed the fouls (on rare occasions, the player's position is announced in lieu of the jersey number). During these announcements, the referee usually does not use names of the respective teams or their cities, but rather will use the generic terms "offense", "defense", "kicking team", "receiving team", "passing team" etc. Some officials, especially in high school and lower levels, will refer to teams by their jersey color (e.g. "white", "red", "blue", etc.). By contrast, in the <a href="/wiki/Canadian_Football_League" title="Canadian Football League">Canadian Football League</a> (CFL), they are announced by their respective city or province. </p><p>The typical announcement follows this format: [foul], [team], [number(s) of the player(s) committing the foul], [distance], [next down: replay of down, loss of down, etc.]. </p> <ul><li>NFL example: "Holding, defense number 52. Five-yard penalty, automatic first down." (Holding on defense gives an automatic first down for the offense.)</li> <li>High school example: "Pass interference, defense. Half the distance to the goal line, repeat third down." (Defensive pass interference is not an automatic first down.)</li> <li>CFL example: "Pass interference, Ottawa number 13. Ball will be placed at the spot of the foul, automatic first down." (The referee will sometimes repeat the announcement <a href="/wiki/Bilingualism_in_Canada" class="mw-redirect" title="Bilingualism in Canada">in French</a>, depending on their fluency and the game's location.)</li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="General_types_of_penalty_enforcement">General types of penalty enforcement</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Penalty_(gridiron_football)&action=edit&section=5" title="Edit section: General types of penalty enforcement"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>The following are general types of penalty enforcement. Specific rules will vary depending on the league, conference, and/or level of football. </p><p>Most penalties result in replaying the down and moving the ball toward the offending team's end zone. The distance is usually either 5, 10, or 15 yards depending on the penalty. However, such penalties, when enforced, are capped at half the distance to the offending team's goal line.<sup id="cite_ref-12" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-12"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>12<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Depending on the foul, the spot where the penalty is enforced may be at the spot of the foul; the previous spot (the line of scrimmage where the down began); the spot of the snap, fumble or backwards pass; or the succeeding spot (the line of scrimmage of the next down).<sup id="cite_ref-13" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-13"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>13<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Most defensive penalties give the offense an automatic first down. Conversely, some offensive penalties result in loss of a down (loss of the right to repeat the down). The offensive team receives a first down if a penalty by the defense awards them enough yardage to attain it. </p><p>Rules are asymmetrical in regard to whether a team can score directly as a result of a penalty. The offensive team typically cannot do so; if a foul that is penalized from the spot of the foul is called on the defense in its own end zone, the ball is placed on either the one-yard line or the two-yard line, and the offense must try to score from there. Exceptions (which are extremely rare at higher levels) can apply for egregious conduct known as <a href="/wiki/Unfair_act" title="Unfair act">palpably unfair acts</a> e.g. someone entering the field to interfere with a player running towards the end zone with the ball. On the other hand, penalties called on the offense in its own end zone can result in the defense scoring a <a href="/wiki/Safety_(gridiron_football_score)" title="Safety (gridiron football score)">two-point safety</a>. </p><p>If a team commits a foul during the last play of any quarter, the other team has the option to accept the penalty and extend the quarter one more play even with the clock showing 00:00 (i.e., an untimed play). </p><p>In American football, when multiple fouls occur, when both teams commit a foul during a play, regardless of severity, the fouls are usually offset and the down is replayed. However, the fouls must be committed in the same time frame. For instance, two fouls during the active play can offset, but a foul during the play and a personal foul after the whistle may not. Two personal fouls after the play can offset, although this is not often called. In the NFL, a major (15-yard) penalty by one team may not offset a minor (5-yard) penalty by the other team.<sup id="cite_ref-14" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-14"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>14<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> In the CFL, the penalty yardage is generally netted: a 15-yard penalty by one team and a 10-yard penalty by the other will result in 5 net yards of penalty enforcement. </p><p>The most serious fouls (for example, fighting or deliberately making contact with an official) will result in disqualification (i.e. the <a href="/wiki/Ejection_(sports)" title="Ejection (sports)">ejection</a> of the player from the game) while some slightly less serious fouls (for example, unsportsmanlike conduct) can result in disqualification if committed by the same player or coach a certain number of times. Upon disqualification, the ejected player(s) must immediately leave the field of play including the bench area - typically, at any competitive level, a disqualified player is expected to return to his team's dressing room. Some fouls can lead to supplemental discipline after the game. At the professional level, even personal fouls not serious enough to warrant disqualification (including any not seen by the officials) will often result in fines. Particular attention in this regard is now taken with respect to blows to the head, due to the now-known long-term hazards <a href="/wiki/Concussion" title="Concussion">concussions</a> pose to players' health. A foul serious enough to warrant disqualification may result in a suspension for one or more games. This is especially true for fouls committed after the end of the game, since the usual penalties cannot be enforced then, or close to the end of the game especially if the winner is no longer in doubt. </p><p>Unlike in some sports, except when they are disqualified, players who commit fouls are not required to leave the field and may take part in the next play, other than in rare cases such as equipment violations where the player must return to the bench and remain there until the violation is corrected. Also, unlike in most other codes of football, there is no circumstance in which a gridiron team can be compelled to play with less than the regulation number of players on the field (eleven in American football and twelve in Canadian football) for any amount of time due to foul play. Even in the case of ejection(s), the disqualified player(s) may immediately be replaced for the next play. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Intentional_fouls">Intentional fouls</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Penalty_(gridiron_football)&action=edit&section=6" title="Edit section: Intentional fouls"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>In certain situations, a team (specifically in the <a href="/wiki/National_Football_League" title="National Football League">NFL</a>) may intentionally commit a foul to receive a penalty that they see as advantageous. In general, the NFL—and other sanctioning bodies—do not permit intentional fouling in most circumstances and have taken efforts to close <a href="/wiki/Loophole" title="Loophole">loopholes</a> and negate any advantage that may have come from such a foul.<sup id="cite_ref-15" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-15"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>15<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <ul><li>Defensive <a href="/wiki/Pass_interference" title="Pass interference">pass interference</a> may be committed in or near the end zone toward the end of a game to prevent a touchdown. This would place the ball at or near the goal line with a first down. The <a href="/wiki/Unfair_act" title="Unfair act">unfair act</a> clause allows for a touchdown to be awarded in such situations and is explicitly recommended when such fouls are repeated.</li> <li>Since a penalty will stop the clock, a team may commit a foul late in a game to stop the clock, particularly if they have no timeouts remaining. Some leagues have instituted a 10-second runoff to offset any advantage gained from this. (See <a href="#The_ten-second_runoff_rule">below</a>)</li> <li>Deliberately injuring a dominant player to prevent them from playing. Even if the offending player is ejected from the game, fined or otherwise punished, if the offending player is of lower caliber than the player who was attacked, the opposing team will be irreparably harmed. The <a href="/wiki/New_Orleans_Saints" title="New Orleans Saints">New Orleans Saints</a> <a href="/wiki/New_Orleans_Saints_bounty_scandal" title="New Orleans Saints bounty scandal">allegedly used this tactic</a> on its way to winning <a href="/wiki/Super_Bowl_XLIV" title="Super Bowl XLIV">Super Bowl XLIV</a>, which was never revoked.<sup id="cite_ref-Seifert_16-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Seifert-16"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>16<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-17" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-17"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>17<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-ESPNBounty_18-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-ESPNBounty-18"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>18<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></li> <li>In the <a href="/wiki/Two-minute_warning" title="Two-minute warning">waning minutes of a game</a>, committing a foul such as holding results in the down being replayed, and while the clock stops after the play, the time that elapsed during the play still came off the clock, thus allowing teams to gain extra downs to <a href="/wiki/Running_out_the_clock" title="Running out the clock">run out the clock</a> by fouling. The NFL closed this loophole in 2017, declaring this strategy to be <a href="/wiki/Unsportsmanlike_conduct" title="Unsportsmanlike conduct">unsportsmanlike conduct</a> and resetting the clock to where it stood before the play.</li></ul> <p>There is one situation in which intentional fouling is generally tolerated: in the event that a team is on its fourth down and within the <a href="/wiki/Dead_zone_(gridiron_football)" title="Dead zone (gridiron football)">four-down territory</a>—outside of <a href="/wiki/Field_goal_range" title="Field goal range">field goal range</a> but unlikely to gain meaningful yardage for a <a href="/wiki/Punt_(gridiron_football)" title="Punt (gridiron football)">punt</a>—the offense may take a five-yard dead ball foul such as delay of game or false start to back the offense up five yards and give the punter more space to land a punt within the <a href="/wiki/Red_zone_(gridiron_football)" title="Red zone (gridiron football)">red zone</a>. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="The_ten-second_runoff_rule">The ten-second runoff rule</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Penalty_(gridiron_football)&action=edit&section=7" title="Edit section: The ten-second runoff rule"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>In the NFL and NCAA, a 10-second runoff is assessed if any of the following acts are committed in the last minute of either half/overtime (as of 2017, after the <a href="/wiki/Two-minute_warning" title="Two-minute warning">two-minute warning</a> in the NFL):<sup id="cite_ref-19" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-19"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>19<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <ol><li>A foul by either team that prevents the ball from being snapped</li> <li>Intentional grounding</li> <li>Illegal forward pass beyond the line of scrimmage</li> <li>Throwing a backwards pass out of bounds</li> <li>Any other intentional act by the offense that causes the clock to stop</li></ol> <p>The 10-second penalty does not apply if: </p> <ol><li>The clock is stopped when the ball is set for play and will not start until the ball is snapped.</li> <li>If the team committing the foul has timeouts and elects to use one in lieu of the runoff.</li> <li>If the offended team declines the runoff (which prevents the offense from committing fouls to intentionally run out the clock). They may elect to decline the runoff while accepting the yardage penalty but may not do the reverse.</li></ol> <p>Moreover, the game clock will run once the ball is placed. If such a runoff occurs with 10 seconds or less remaining, the half/overtime automatically ends. Since the enforcement of the 10-second runoff, eight regular season NFL games have had a half end automatically due to this rule. Notable examples include: 2011 Chicago–Oakland game ended after <a href="/wiki/Caleb_Hanie" title="Caleb Hanie">Caleb Hanie</a> was charged for intentional grounding penalty near the end of the game; a 2012 New England–Seattle game in which the first half ended after <a href="/wiki/Tom_Brady" title="Tom Brady">Tom Brady</a> was charged with the same penalty Hanie suffered the year before, costing New England a field goal chance in a game they later lost by only 1 point; a 2014 St. Louis–Tampa Bay game in which Tampa Bay lost a chance to attempt a game-winning field goal due to <a href="/wiki/Mike_Evans_(wide_receiver)" title="Mike Evans (wide receiver)">Mike Evans</a> suffering an injury with no timeouts left; a 2015 New England–New York Jets game in which New York lost an attempt to throw a Hail Mary pass to tie or win the game because <a href="/wiki/Brandon_Marshall" title="Brandon Marshall">Brandon Marshall</a> was assessed a false start penalty with 1 second left in the game; and a 2017 Atlanta–Detroit game in which Detroit fell short of a game-winning touchdown due to a reversal via a replay that stopped the clock with 8 seconds remaining. A pre-season game in 2006 between Houston and Kansas City had the first half end automatically due to an intentional grounding foul with less than 10 seconds left. More importantly, a 2013 divisional playoff game between the New Orleans Saints and the Seattle Seahawks also ended on a 10-second runoff after Saints wide receiver <a href="/wiki/Marques_Colston" title="Marques Colston">Marques Colston</a> threw an illegal forward pass. </p><p>Starting in 2011, the NCAA adopted a similar 10-second penalty rule for college football. Like the NFL rule, it applies in the last minute of each half, but the NCAA rule differs in that it applies to fouls by either side that cause a clock stoppage. Like the NFL rule, the team that benefits from the penalty may elect to take both the yardage and the runoff, the yardage alone, or neither (but not the runoff in lieu of yards). The penalized team may elect to take a charged timeout in order to avoid the runoff.<sup id="cite_ref-2011_NCAA_changes_20-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-2011_NCAA_changes-20"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>20<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>The NCAA rule was passed in response to the end of the 4th quarter in the <a href="/wiki/2010_Music_City_Bowl" title="2010 Music City Bowl">2010 Music City Bowl</a>. In that game, the <a href="/wiki/North_Carolina_Tar_Heels_football" title="North Carolina Tar Heels football">North Carolina Tar Heels</a> were down 20–17 at the end of the 4th quarter, and because they had no timeouts, they spiked the ball to stop the clock with 1 second left while too many men were on the field due to confusion about whether the field goal unit needed to come on the field. Because college football did not yet have the 10-second runoff, UNC was penalized 5 yards but was still able to kick the field goal to send the game to overtime, since the foul caused the clock to stop with time remaining. UNC won the game. </p><p>In both the NFL and NCAA, a 10-second runoff is assessed if the game is stopped in the final two minutes of either half/overtime for an instant replay review, and the review determines the clock would not have stopped otherwise. This provision was used near the end of regulation in the <a href="/wiki/2018_LSU_vs._Texas_A%26M_football_game" title="2018 LSU vs. Texas A&M football game">2018 LSU vs. Texas A&M game</a>. An interception by LSU's <a href="/wiki/Grant_Delpit" title="Grant Delpit">Grant Delpit</a> was overruled when it was determined Texas A&M quarterback <a href="/wiki/Kellen_Mond" title="Kellen Mond">Kellen Mond</a> retrieved a bad snap with his right knee on the ground, ending the play. After the ball was re-spotted and the clock reset, 10 seconds were deducted and the clock restarted on the ready-for-play signal. In this situation, either team may call a time-out to prevent the runoff that neither team can decline. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="List_of_penalties">List of penalties</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Penalty_(gridiron_football)&action=edit&section=8" title="Edit section: List of penalties"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>In the NFL, most defensive penalties result in an automatic first down: the offense is given a first down regardless of how many yards they have moved since their last first down, including the penalty. The exceptions are offside, encroachment, neutral zone infraction, delay of game, illegal substitution, calling excess timeouts, running into a kicker, and having more than 11 men on the field. In these cases, the appropriate yardage penalty is assessed, and a first down is given only if the net yardage by the offense since the last first down, including the penalty, is at least ten yards; if not, there is a repeat of down.<sup id="cite_ref-21" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-21"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>21<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <table class="wikitable"> <tbody><tr> <th rowspan="2">Foul </th> <th rowspan="2">Description </th> <th rowspan="2">Signal </th> <th colspan="4">Penalty Yardage </th></tr> <tr> <th>NFL </th> <th>NCAA </th> <th>HS </th> <th>CFL </th></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Blocking_below_the_waist"></span><a href="/wiki/Blocking_below_the_waist" title="Blocking below the waist">Blocking below the waist</a> </td> <td>An illegal block, from any direction, below the waist by any defensive player or by an offensive player under certain situations, by any player after change of possession, by any player in high school with certain exceptions. Sometimes incorrectly referred to as a "chop block". </td> <td>(American) Both hands brought down, wrists turned inward, in a chopping motion across the front of the thighs<div class="paragraphbreak" style="margin-top:0.5em"></div>(Canadian) Same as unnecessary roughness; it is a subset of that penalty </td> <td>15 yards; automatic first down if committed by the defense </td> <td>15 yards; automatic first down if committed by the defense </td> <td>15 yards </td> <td>15 yards; automatic first down if committed by the defense </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Block_in_the_back"></span><span class="anchor" id="Illegal_block_in_the_back"></span><a href="/wiki/Block_in_the_back" title="Block in the back">Block in the back</a><br />(offense, defense, or special teams) </td> <td>A blocker contacting a non-ballcarrying member of the opposing team from behind and above the waist. Called an "illegal block" in the CFL. </td> <td>One arm extended horizontally in front of the body, palm facing outward. The other hand grasps the first hand's wrist and pushes outward </td> <td>10 yards</td> <td>10 yards</td> <td>10 yards</td> <td>10 yards </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Chop_block"></span><a href="/wiki/Chop_block_(gridiron_football)" title="Chop block (gridiron football)">Chop block</a><br />("high-low" block; offense) </td> <td>An offensive player tries to <a href="/wiki/Cut_block" class="mw-redirect" title="Cut block">cut block</a> a defensive player that is already being blocked by another offensive player. The second block may need to be below the thigh or knee, depending on the code. </td> <td>(American) The signal for a personal foul (except in high school), followed by: Arms extended alongside the body, palms facing outward, then moving in to the upper thigh in a chopping motion.<div class="paragraphbreak" style="margin-top:0.5em"></div>(Canadian) Both hands held out flat, facing each other, in front of the referee, moving down together diagonally roughly from one shoulder to the opposite hip. </td> <td>15 yards (if it is in the end zone the play will be ruled a safety); automatic first down if committed by defense (penalty also counts regardless of how many yards the offense gained).</td> <td>15 yards; automatic first down if committed by defense (penalty also counts regardless of how many yards the offense gained).</td> <td>15 yards</td> <td>15 yards; automatic first down if committed by defense </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Clipping"></span><a href="/wiki/Clipping_(gridiron_football)" title="Clipping (gridiron football)">Clipping</a><br />(offense, defense, or special teams; also known as a "crackback") </td> <td>A blocker contacting a non-ballcarrying opponent from behind and at or below the waist </td> <td>The signal for a personal foul (except in high school), followed by: Chopping the back of one thigh with the hand. </td> <td>15 yards; automatic first down if committed by defense</td> <td>15 yards; automatic first down if committed by defense</td> <td>15 yards</td> <td>15 yards; automatic first down if committed by defense </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Contacting_the_kicker"></span>Contacting the kicker </td> <td>Any contact with the kicker when in the act of kicking, unless the ball has touched the ground (as in a bad snap), the defender touches the ball, contact by a blocker causes the contact, or the contact is slight or incidental. </td> <td>Touching a raised leg below the knee </td> <td>See <a class="mw-selflink-fragment" href="#Roughing_the_kicker">roughing the kicker</a> or <a class="mw-selflink-fragment" href="#Running_into_the_kicker">running into the kicker</a> </td> <td>See roughing the kicker or running into the kicker </td> <td>See roughing the kicker or running into the kicker </td> <td>10 yards </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Delay_of_game"></span><a href="/wiki/Delay_of_game" title="Delay of game">Delay of game</a><br />(offense, defense, or special teams) </td> <td>Any action which delays the next play. In American football, on offense, this includes failing to snap the ball before the <a href="/wiki/Play_clock" title="Play clock">play clock</a> reaches zero. (In the CFL, that action is a <i><a href="#Time_count_violation">time count violation</a></i>.) It may also include spiking the ball.<br />On defense, it occurs when a player hinders the offense in hurrying to make the next snap. This happens most often in the last two minutes of a half when the offense is trying to go down the field in a hurry. The defense can also be flagged for a delay of game if a player spikes the ball after the end of a play.<br />On special teams, it happens when the return team runs after signaling for a fair catch, or the defense does not unpile in a timely manner after the play ends. </td> <td>(American) Upper arms extended out from the body, forearms bent toward the opposite arm, such that the arms lie on top of one another or that each arm touches the opposite shoulder.<br />(Canadian) Both hands behind the back, resting roughly at the waist, so that the elbows extend out from the side of the body </td> <td>5 yards</td> <td>5 yards</td> <td>5 yards</td> <td>10 yards </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Encroachment"></span><a href="/wiki/Encroachment_(gridiron_football)" title="Encroachment (gridiron football)">Encroachment</a><br />(offense or defense) </td> <td>Before the snap, a defensive player illegally crosses the line of scrimmage and makes contact with an opponent or has a clear path to the quarterback. In NCAA, this includes an offensive player being in or beyond the neutral zone after the snapper has put his hands on the ball. In high school, this includes any crossing of the neutral zone by either team, whether contact is made or not. The play is not allowed to begin. In the CFL, this is also called "offside". </td> <td>Two hands placed on the hips </td> <td>5 yards</td> <td>5 yards</td> <td>5 yards</td> <td>5 yards </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Equipment_violations"></span>Equipment violation </td> <td>Any player in the game without necessary safety equipment (mouthpiece, pads), without chin straps properly fastened or in violation of certain clothing rules (e.g. sock requirements in college). </td> <td>(American) One hand placed on the back of the head </td> <td>— </td> <td>Timeout charged against the offending player's team </td> <td>Timeout charged against the offending player's team, or if the team is out of timeouts, the player is removed from the game for one play or until the equipment is fixed </td> <td>10 yards and removal of the player from the game for three downs. If the equipment is deemed hazardous, 15 yards and disqualification. </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Face_mask"></span><a href="/wiki/Face_mask_(gridiron_football)" title="Face mask (gridiron football)">Face mask</a><br />(offense, defense, or special teams) </td> <td>Grasping the face mask of another player while attempting to block or tackle him. In the NFL, the grasping and pulling/twisting must be intentional to be penalized. Under NCAA rules, it is a foul to grasp and twist the face mask. Under high school rules, any grasping of the face mask, any helmet opening, or the chin strap is a foul, though grasping and twisting carries a more severe penalty than "incidental" grasping without any twisting. </td> <td>The signal for a personal foul (except for incidental grasping in high school), followed by: One arm in front of the body, forearm extended vertically. The hand is closed into a fist in front of the face and pulled downward </td> <td>15 yards; automatic first down if committed by defense </td> <td>15 yards; automatic first down if committed by defense </td> <td>15 yards for grasping and twisting, 5 yards for incidental grasping </td> <td>15 yards; automatic first down if committed by defense </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="False_start"></span><a href="/wiki/False_start" title="False start">False start</a><br />(offense) </td> <td>An offensive player illegally moves after lining up for—but prior to—the snap. Since the ball is dead, the down does not begin.<div class="paragraphbreak" style="margin-top:0.5em"></div>Any player who moves after he has gotten in his set position before the snap in a way that simulates the start of the play. Called "[illegal] procedure" in the CFL. </td> <td>Two arms in front of chest horizontally with closed fists "rolling" around each other (same signal that basketball referees use to signal traveling). </td> <td>5 yards</td> <td>5 yards</td> <td>5 yards</td> <td>5 yards </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Helmet-to-helmet_collision"></span><a href="/wiki/Helmet-to-helmet_collision" title="Helmet-to-helmet collision">Helmet-to-helmet collision</a><br />(offense or defense) </td> <td>The act of banging one's helmet into the helmet of another player. </td> <td> </td> <td><i>see Targeting, below</i> </td> <td><i>see Targeting, below</i> </td> <td>15 yards </td> <td><i>see Unnecessary roughness, below</i> </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Helping_the_runner"></span><a href="/wiki/Helping_the_runner" title="Helping the runner">Helping the runner</a> </td> <td>When a member of the offensive or receiving team pushes, pulls, grasps or <a href="/wiki/Spectacular_mark" title="Spectacular mark">lifts a person in possession of the ball</a>. Also known as "assisting the runner," the penalty is extremely rare, having last been called at the NFL level in 1991.<sup id="cite_ref-22" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-22"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>22<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td> <td>Arms at sides, the forearms are pulled upward perpendicular to the torso. </td> <td>10 yards </td> <td>5 yards </td> <td>5 yards </td> <td>— </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Holding"></span><a href="/wiki/Holding_(American_football)" title="Holding (American football)">Holding</a><br />(offense or defense) </td> <td>Illegally grasping or pulling an opponent other than the ball carrier while attempting to ward off a block or cover a receiver. One of the most commonly called penalties. If a penalty for holding that occurred in the offense's end zone is accepted, a safety results. </td> <td>Raising one arm in front of the body (forearm is roughly vertical with elbow at bottom) and grabbing its wrist with the opposite hand </td> <td>Offense, 10 yards. If it is called in the end zone by the offense, it's an automatic safety; defense, 5 yards and automatic first down. </td> <td>10 yards </td> <td>10 yards </td> <td>10 yards </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Horse-collar_tackle"></span><a href="/wiki/Horse-collar_tackle" title="Horse-collar tackle">Horse-collar tackle</a> </td> <td>Illegally tackling another player by grabbing the inside of the ball carrier's shoulder pads or jersey from behind and yanking the player down. </td> <td>(American) The signal for a personal foul (except in high school), followed by: Raising one arm to the side of the body with the elbow bent, so that the closed fist is near the neck. The fist is then pulled away, horizontally, from the neck.<div class="paragraphbreak" style="margin-top:0.5em"></div>(Canadian) Same as unnecessary roughness; it is a subset of that penalty </td> <td>15 yards, automatic first down if committed by defense (penalty also counts regardless of how many yards the offense gained). </td> <td>15 yards, automatic first down if committed by defense (penalty also counts regardless of how many yards the offense gained). </td> <td>15 yards </td> <td>15 yards </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Illegal_batting"></span>Illegal batting<br />(offense) </td> <td>Any intentional batting of a loose ball or ball in player possession. Batting is legal in certain limited situations, such as blocking a kick or deflecting a forward pass (any eligible player may bat a forward pass in any direction). </td> <td>(NFL) Both arms extended the side, with the fingertips brought up to the shoulder of the respective arms.<div class="paragraphbreak" style="margin-top:0.5em"></div>(NCAA/HS) One arm extended the side, with the fingertips brought up to the shoulder of the same arm. </td> <td>10 yards </td> <td>10 yards </td> <td>15 yards </td> <td><i>see Offside pass, below</i> </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Illegal_contact"></span>Illegal contact<br />(defense) </td> <td>Making significant contact with a receiver after the receiver has advanced five yards beyond the line of scrimmage. The illegal contact is called only if the quarterback is still in pocket and the ball is still in his hands. This rule was adopted in 1978, and its enactment is regarded as contributing to the increase in passing efficiency the NFL has witnessed since that time. </td> <td>One arm in front of the body with palm out and fingers up, moved in a pushing motion out </td> <td>5 yards and an automatic first down </td> <td>Does not exist </td> <td>Does not exist </td> <td>10 yards </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Illegal_Fair_Catch_Signal"></span><span class="anchor" id="Illegal_[[fair_catch]]_signal"></span>Illegal <a href="/wiki/Fair_catch" title="Fair catch">fair catch</a> signal<br />(receiving team) </td> <td>A receiver for a punt or kick return signals a "fair catch" by waving his hand in the air before catching the ball, and running after the catch was made. The return is neutralized, and the penalty is deducted from where the receiver caught the ball. </td> <td>Arm raised in the air, before waving it and dropping it back down, similar to the fair catch signal </td> <td>5 yards, enforced where receiver catches the ball</td> <td>5 yards, enforced where receiver catches the ball</td> <td>5 yards, enforced where receiver catches the ball</td> <td>5 yards, enforced where receiver catches the ball </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Illegal_formation"></span>Illegal formation </td> <td>Fewer than seven players line up on the line of scrimmage (NFL/CFL); more than four players in the backfield (NCAA/HS); eligible receivers fail to line up as the leftmost and rightmost players on the line (NFL/CFL); or when five properly numbered ineligible players fail to line up on the line. Can also be called on the defense/receiving team in the NFL on field goal attempts if they have more than six players on the line on either side of the snapper. Announced as <span class="nowrap">"[illegal]</span> procedure" or "procedure, no end" in the CFL. </td> <td>Two arms in front of chest with closed fists "rolling" around each other (same signal that basketball referees use to signal traveling) </td> <td>5 yards </td> <td>5 yards </td> <td>5 yards </td> <td>5 yards </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Illegal_forward_pass"></span>Illegal forward pass<br />(offense) </td> <td>A forward pass is thrown from past the line of scrimmage. Also, a second forward pass is thrown on the same play or a forward pass is thrown after change of possession (American; those are treated as <i>offside passes</i> in the CFL). </td> <td>(American) One hand, flat, waved behind the small of the back<div class="paragraphbreak" style="margin-top:0.5em"></div>(Canadian) One arm in front of chest, palm open and down, with the elbow out to the side, moved away from chest </td> <td>5 yards from the spot of the foul and loss of down </td> <td>5 yards from the spot of the foul and loss of down </td> <td>5 yards from the spot of the foul and loss of down </td> <td>10 yards from the spot of the foul (the down is repeated) </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Illegal_hands_to_the_face"></span>Illegal hands to the face </td> <td>Pushing or hitting a player on offense in the head or helmet </td> <td>(NFL/NCAA) One open fist in a pushing motion to the referee's chin; (HS) Same signal as holding </td> <td>10 yards if committed by offense; 5 yards and automatic first down if committed by defense </td> <td>15 yards (personal foul); automatic first down if committed by defense (penalty also counts regardless of how many yards the offense gained). </td> <td>10 yards </td> <td>— </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Illegal_kick"></span>Illegal kick </td> <td>Any ball not kicked in accordance with the rules, for instance: <ul><li>When an attempted <a href="/wiki/Drop_kick" title="Drop kick">drop kick</a> bounces more than once before being kicked</li> <li>When a player kicks the ball after a turnover or receiving an opponent's kick (the "return kick")</li> <li>When a player kicks the ball after having advanced the ball past the line of scrimmage</li></ul> <p>All of the above kicks are legal in Canadian football. </p> </td> <td>Right arm is curled so that the hand touches the shoulder. </td> <td>15 yards </td> <td>10 yards </td> <td>15 yards </td> <td>— </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Illegal_kickoff"></span>Illegal kickoff<br />(special teams) </td> <td>The ball, after a kickoff, heads out of bounds between both goal lines without touching any player on either team. </td> <td>Two arms in front of chest with closed fists "rolling" around each other (same signal that basketball referees use to signal traveling).<br />(Canadian) Same signal, plus a swinging motion of the leg to simulate a kick </td> <td>Receiving team awarded possession 25 yards from spot of kickoff, or at spot out of bounds, whichever is more advantageous. </td> <td>Five yards from the previous spot (with the kick retaken); or five yards from the spot where the subsequent dead ball belongs to the receiving team; or the receiving team may put the ball in play 30 yards beyond the kicking team's restraining line. </td> <td>Five yards from the previous spot (with the kick retaken); or five yards from the spot where the subsequent dead ball belongs to the receiving team; or the receiving team may put the ball in play 30 yards beyond the kicking team's restraining line. </td> <td>Five yards from the previous spot (with the kick retaken); or the spot where the subsequent dead ball belongs to the receiving team; or the receiving team may put the ball in play 35 yards from the spot of kickoff. </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Illegal_motion"></span>Illegal motion<br />(offense) </td> <td>A player in motion is moving forward at the time of the snap. </td> <td>One arm in front of chest, palm open and down, with the elbow out to the side, moved away from chest. </td> <td>5 yards </td> <td>5 yards </td> <td>5 yards </td> <td>Not a foul </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Illegal_participation"></span>Illegal participation/Too many players </td> <td>Twelve (CFL: 13) or more players participate during the play, because the extra players either are not detected before the snap or enter during the play. Once the down begins, no further players may enter the field and participate, even if there are fewer than 11 (CFL: 12) players. Illegal participation is also called when an offensive player goes out of bounds (unless forced out by contact by the defense) and returns during the play. </td> <td>Two hands, palms down, touching the top of the head, with an elbow out to each side </td> <td>5 yards </td> <td>5 yards </td> <td>15 yards </td> <td>10 yards </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Illegal_shift"></span>Illegal shift </td> <td>A player is not in motion but is not set before the snap; more than one player is in motion at the snap; or after more than one player was moving (shifting), all eleven players have not been motionless for one second. </td> <td>Two arms in front of chest, palms open and down, with the elbows out to the side, moved away from chest </td> <td>5 yards </td> <td>5 yards </td> <td>5 yards </td> <td>Not a foul </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Too_many_men_on_the_field"></span><span class="anchor" id="Illegal_substitution"></span>Illegal substitution/Substitution infraction/Too many players in the formation </td> <td>The offense has 12 (CFL: 13) or more players in the huddle for a period of 3–5 seconds; or twelve or more players are in the formation before a play; or a player is attempting to leave the field as the ball is snapped; or an offensive player entering the field fails to step at least nine yards from the sideline (inside the field's yardage numbers) before the snap; or a player who has been suspended or disqualified attempts to enter the field of play. </td> <td>(NCAA/High School) Arm along the side of the body with the palm of the hand touching the opposite shoulder; (NFL/CFL) two hands, palms down, touching the top of the head, with an elbow out to each side </td> <td>5 yards </td> <td>5 yards </td> <td>5 yards </td> <td>5 yards </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Illegal_touching_of_a_forward_pass"></span>Illegal touching of a forward pass<br />(offense) </td> <td>A forward pass first touches an <i>ineligible receiver</i> (e.g., an offensive lineman). If the ball is touched by the defenders first, any player may touch it. </td> <td>One hand held up to shoulder, fingertips touching the shoulder; (NFL) two hands held up to shoulders, fingertips touching the shoulders; <p>(CFL) both arms extended sideways </p> </td> <td>5 yards and a loss of down </td> <td>5 yards (if touched by an originally ineligible receiver) / 5 yards and loss of down (if touched by an originally eligible receiver who voluntarily went out of bounds) </td> <td>5 yards and a loss of down </td> <td>10 yards </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Illegal_touching_of_a_free_kick"></span>Illegal touching of a free kick<br />(special teams) </td> <td>The ball, after the free kick, first touches a member of the kicking team prior to travelling 10 yards. This is most often seen on an onside kick where a member of the kicking team prematurely comes in contact with the ball in an attempt to recover it. Like illegal touching of a forward pass, if a defender (member of the receiving team) first touches the ball, any player may touch it. Note: in NFHS it is called 'first touching', not 'illegal touching'. <p>It is also illegal touching for a kicking team player to touch a free kick after going out of bounds, unless the kick is touched by the receiving team. </p> </td> <td>One hand held up to shoulder, fingertips touching the shoulder; (NFL) two hands held up to shoulders, fingertips touching the shoulders. </td> <td>5 yards, unless the illegal touching occurs inside the receiving team's 5 yard line. In that case, it is ruled a touchback. </td> <td>Five yards from the previous spot, or five yards from the spot where the subsequent dead ball belongs to the receiving team, or from the spot where the ball is placed after a touchback. </td> <td>Not a foul.<br />Receiving team may take possession at the spot of touching unless it commits a foul. </td> <td>— </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Illegal_touching_of_a_scrimmage_kick"></span>Illegal touching of a scrimmage kick<br />(special teams) </td> <td>The ball, during the scrimmage kick, is touched by a kicking team player, unless the kick is touched by the receiving team or another member of the kicking team. </td> <td>One hand held up to shoulder, fingertips touching the shoulder (NFL); two hands held up to shoulders, fingertips touching the shoulders (NCAA). </td> <td>— </td> <td>Not a foul. Receiving team has the option of taking possession at the spot of illegal touching unless it commits a foul. </td> <td>Not a foul (called "first touching" in the NFHS rulebook). <p>Receiving team may take possession at the spot of first touching unless it commits a foul. </p> </td> <td><i>see No yards</i> </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Illegal_use_of_hands"></span>Illegal use of hands </td> <td>Illegal use of the hands against a player on offense while attempting to ward off a block, cover a receiver, or tackle a ball carrier. There are several restrictions on how a defender may initiate contact. </td> <td>One forearm vertically held in front of the body with an open fist facing away from the referee's chest (closed fist for a HS referee); the other hand grasping the first arm's wrist </td> <td>10 yards if committed by offense; 5 yards and automatic first down if committed by defense </td> <td>10 yards, automatic first if committed by defense against an eligible receiver </td> <td>10 yards </td> <td>— </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Ineligible_receiver_downfield"></span><a href="/wiki/Ineligible_receiver_downfield" title="Ineligible receiver downfield">Ineligible receiver downfield</a><br />(offense) </td> <td>An ineligible receiver is past the line of scrimmage prior to a forward pass. Ineligible receivers must wait until the pass is thrown beyond the line of scrimmage (or touched) before moving past the line of scrimmage. This exception has been added to accommodate the screen pass, where a receiver (most often a back, but sometimes a tight end or wide receiver) catches a ball behind the line of scrimmage behind a "screen" of offensive linemen. </td> <td>One palm touching the top of the head with the elbow out to the side. </td> <td>5 yards </td> <td>5 yards </td> <td>5 yards </td> <td>— </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Intentional_grounding"></span><a href="/wiki/Intentional_grounding" title="Intentional grounding">Intentional grounding</a><br />(offense) </td> <td>A forward pass is thrown intentionally incomplete so that the passer avoids loss of yardage or to conserve time. Not assessed if the ball is <a href="/wiki/Spike_(gridiron_football)" title="Spike (gridiron football)">spiked</a>. If the quarterback has moved outside of the area between his offensive tackles (the <a href="/wiki/Tackle_box_(American_football)" class="mw-redirect" title="Tackle box (American football)">tackle box</a> or more commonly called "the <a href="/wiki/Passing_pocket" title="Passing pocket">pocket</a>"), there is no foul for grounding the ball if the quarterback throws the ball past the line of scrimmage. </td> <td>Both hands held out flat, facing each other, in front of the referee, moving down together diagonally roughly from one shoulder to the opposite hip. </td> <td>10 yards or spot of foul, whichever is farther from the original line of scrimmage, and loss of down. If the foul occurs in the end zone, the play is ruled a safety. </td> <td>Spot of foul and loss of down (safety if the foul occurs in the end zone). </td> <td>5 yards from the spot of the foul and loss of down (safety if the foul occurs in the end zone). </td> <td>— </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Leaping"></span>Leaping<br />(defense) </td> <td>A defender at least one yard in front of the line of scrimmage running forward and leaping in an attempt to block a field goal or a point-after try lands on other players on either team. The penalty is not called if the defender was within one yard of the line of scrimmage at the time of the snap.<sup id="cite_ref-23" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-23"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>23<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td> <td>(NCAA) Same as Personal foul, it is a subset of that penalty.<sup id="cite_ref-24" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-24"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>24<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup>(NFL) Same as Unsportsmanlike conduct, it is a subset of that penalty </td> <td>15 yard penalty; automatic first down if committed by defense (penalty also counts regardless of how many yards the offense gained). </td> <td>15 yard penalty; automatic first down if committed by defense (penalty also counts regardless of how many yards the offense gained). </td> <td>— </td> <td>— </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Leverage"></span>Leverage<br />(defense) </td> <td>A defensive player jumping or standing on a teammate or an opponent to block or attempt to block an opponent's kick.<sup id="cite_ref-25" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-25"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>25<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td> <td>(NCAA/NFL) Same as Unsportsmanlike conduct, it is a subset of that penalty </td> <td>15 yard penalty and automatic first down </td> <td>15 yards </td> <td>— </td> <td>— </td></tr> <tr> <td>Major foul (Canadian)</td> <td>— </td> <td>— </td> <td>— </td> <td>— </td> <td>— </td> <td>See <a href="#Personal_Foul">personal foul</a>, the equivalent foul in American football </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Neutral_zone_infraction"></span>Neutral Zone Infraction<br />(defense) </td> <td>Before the snap, a defensive player (most often a lineman) jumps into the neutral zone and "startles" an offensive player, causing him to false start. </td> <td>Same as encroachment/offside </td> <td>5 yards </td> <td>5 yards </td> <td>5 yards </td> <td>— </td></tr> <tr> <td>No yards (special teams) (Canadian) </td> <td>During a scrimmage kick, a member of the kicking team, other than the kicker or a player even with or behind the kicker at the time of the kick, is the first to touch a kicked ball or is within a five-yard radius of the receiving player who is first to touch the ball. </td> <td>Upper arms extended out from the body, forearms bent toward the opposite arm, such that the arms lie on top of one another or that each arm touches the opposite elbow. </td> <td><i>see Kick catching interference or Illegal touching of a scrimmage kick</i> </td> <td><i>see Kick catching interference or Illegal touching of a scrimmage kick</i> </td> <td><i>see Kick catching interference or Illegal touching of a scrimmage kick</i> </td> <td>15 yards;<br />5 yards, for violation of the five-yard radius after a kick has touched the ground and bounced back toward the spot of the kick </td></tr> <tr> <td>Objectionable conduct (Canadian)</td> <td>— </td> <td>— </td> <td>— </td> <td>— </td> <td>— </td> <td>See <a href="#Unsportsmanlike_conduct">unsportsmanlike conduct</a>, the equivalent foul in American football </td></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/Offside_(American_football)" title="Offside (American football)"><span class="anchor" id="Offside"></span>Offside</a> </td> <td>A player is on the wrong side of the line of scrimmage (or in the neutral zone) when the ball is snapped. This foul occurs simultaneously with the snap. Unlike offensive players, defensive players are not compelled to come to a set position before the snap. If a defender jumps across the line but gets back to his side before the snap, there is no foul. In the case of an offside foul, play is not stopped, and the foul is announced at the conclusion of the play. Media covering the games call it a "free play" for the offense, as the non-offending team may decline the penalty and take the yardage gained on the play (and when the play works against them, like a turnover to the opposing team, the non-offending team can accept the penalty and retake possession of the ball) - unlike in the case of a false start foul against the offense, whereupon the play is immediately stopped by the officials.<br /><br />This foul is almost always committed by the defense (any offensive player that moves into the neutral zone after setting would be charged with a false start). In NCAA and NFL, a player of the kicking team on a free kick is offside if he is in front of the ball at the time of the kick. However, it is possible for the offense to commit this foul. In the NFL, if an offensive player lines up in the neutral zone, an offside foul will be called against the offense. In the CFL, if an offensive player is beyond the line of scrimmage at the snap, an offside foul will be called against the offense. </td> <td>Two hands placed on the hips </td> <td>5 yards</td> <td>5 yards</td> <td>Not applicable (see Encroachment)</td> <td>5 yards </td></tr> <tr> <td>Offside pass </td> <td>Any act to direct the ball forward (toward the opponent's dead/end line) other than a kick or a forward pass. This includes batting the ball and forward passes after change of possession. </td> <td>One arm in front of chest, palm open and down, with the elbow out to the side, moved away from chest </td> <td><i>see Illegal batting or Illegal forward pass, above</i> </td> <td><i>see Illegal batting or Illegal forward pass, above</i> </td> <td><i>see Illegal batting or Illegal forward pass, above</i> </td> <td>No yardage penalty; the down counts, and the ball is next snapped where the pass originated </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Pass_interference"></span><a href="/wiki/Pass_interference" title="Pass interference">Pass interference</a><br />(offense or defense) </td> <td>Making physical contact with an intended receiver (intentional physical contact in NFL), after the ball has been thrown and before it has been touched by another player, in order to hinder or prevent him from catching a forward pass.<br />(On offense, the restriction begins at the snap and continues until the ball is touched in order to prevent receivers from blocking defenders away from a passed ball.) </td> <td>Both arms extended in front of the body, palms upright, in a pushing motion </td> <td>Offense, 10 yards; defense, spot of foul (or placement on the 1 yard line if the foul occurs in the end zone) and automatic first down </td> <td>Offense, 15 yards; defense, lesser of 15 yards or the spot of the foul (or placement on the 2 yard line if the foul occurs in the end zone) and automatic first down </td> <td>15 yards, regardless of whether or not the foul is in the end zone. Beginning with the 2013 season, the down is replayed, unless the ball is beyond the line to gain after enforcement; the penalty no longer includes an automatic first down (defensive interference) or loss of down (offensive).<sup id="cite_ref-26" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-26"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>26<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td> <td>Offense: 10 yards; Defense: spot of foul (or placement on the 1 yard line if the foul occurs in the end zone) and automatic first down, or 10 yards and automatic first down if judged accidental </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Personal_Foul"></span>Personal foul<br />(offense or defense)<br />(Major foul in Canadian football) </td> <td>A conduct- or safety-related infraction. Includes unnecessary roughness, such as hitting a ball carrier after he is already out of bounds, "piling on" a ball carrier who is already down, or violent contact with an opponent who is away from and out of the play. In American football, if the officials decide that the action was particularly flagrant, the player in question can be <a href="/wiki/Ejection_(sports)" title="Ejection (sports)">ejected</a> from the game. (In Canadian football, such a flagrant act is a <i>rough play</i> foul.) The CFL also has a "Grade 2 Unnecessary Roughness" foul for direct contact to a passer's head or neck area or spearing to an opponent's head or neck. </td> <td>One arm extended from the body and bent at the elbow; the forearm is tilted at an angle, so the wrist is roughly in front of the collarbone but at a distance from the body. The other arm is brought down in a chopping motion, striking the first arm wrist-to-wrist.<br />(Canadian) One arm extended to the side of the body in a pumping motion </td> <td>15 yards; automatic first down if committed by defense (penalty also counts regardless of how many yards the offense gained). </td> <td>15 yards; automatic first down if committed by defense (penalty also counts regardless of how many yards the offense gained). </td> <td>15 yards </td> <td>15 yards; automatic first down if committed by defense (penalty also counts regardless of how many yards the offense gained). For Grade 2 Unnecessary Roughness: as described above but 25 yards instead of 15, and the offender is disqualified for a second such foul. </td></tr> <tr> <td>Punt out of bounds in flight<br />(special teams) </td> <td>A scrimmage kick goes out of bounds in flight untouched by the receiving team between the 20 yard lines. </td> <td>Two arms in front of chest with closed fists "rolling" around each other, plus a swinging motion of the leg to simulate a kick </td> <td>Not a foul </td> <td>Not a foul </td> <td>Not a foul </td> <td>10 yards from either the previous line of scrimmage with the down replayed or from the point the ball went out of bounds with the receiving team taking possession. </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Rough_Play"></span>Rough play </td> <td>A flagrant conduct- or safety infraction. Includes fighting, punching, and intentional contact with an official. </td> <td>One arm extended from the body and bent at the elbow; the forearm is tilted downward, so that the wrist is roughly in front of the waist but at a distance from the body. The other arm is brought down in a chopping motion, striking the first arm wrist-to-wrist. </td> <td>Not applicable (see Personal foul) </td> <td>Not applicable (see Personal foul) </td> <td>Not applicable (see Personal foul) </td> <td>25 yards and disqualification of the offender; automatic first down if committed by defense (penalty also counts regardless of how many yards the offense gained). </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Roughing_the_Passer"></span><a href="/wiki/Roughing_the_passer" title="Roughing the passer">Roughing the passer</a><br />(defense) </td> <td>A defender continues an effort to tackle or "hit" a passer after the passer has already thrown a pass. (In the NFL, a defender is allowed to take one step after the ball is thrown; a defender is penalized if he hits the passer having taken two or more steps after the ball leaves the passer's hand, or if the passer is hit above the shoulders, or if the passer is targeted using the crown of the helmet.) </td> <td>The signal for a personal foul (except in high school), followed by: Open-fist arm extended above same-side shoulder, brought diagonally downward towards the opposite side waist. </td> <td>15 yards and an automatic first down (penalty also counts regardless of how many yards the offense gained). </td> <td>15 yards and an automatic first down (penalty may be enforced from the end of the run if the pass is completed; otherwise, penalty is enforced from the previous spot). </td> <td>15 yards and an automatic first down (penalty may be enforced from the end of the run if the pass is completed; otherwise, penalty is enforced from the previous spot). </td> <td>15 yards and an automatic first down (penalty also counts regardless of how many yards the offense gained). Penalty upgraded to 25 yards if the contact is a direct blow to the passer's head or neck. </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Roughing_the_kicker"></span><a href="/wiki/Roughing_the_kicker" title="Roughing the kicker">Roughing the kicker</a><br />(special teams) </td> <td>A defender, having missed an attempt to block a kick, tackles the kicker or otherwise runs into the kicker in a way that might injure the kicker or his vulnerable extended kicking leg. This protection is also extended to the holder of a place kick. In the CFL, the standard is unnecessary roughness against the punter, kicker, or holder. </td> <td>The signal for a personal foul (American) or major foul (CFL), followed by: Leg moved in a kicking motion. </td> <td>15 yards and an automatic first down if committed by defense </td> <td>15 yards and an automatic first down if committed by defense </td> <td>15 yards and an automatic first down </td> <td>15 yards and an automatic first down </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Roughing_the_Snapper"></span>Roughing the snapper<br />(special teams) </td> <td>On a punt or field goal attempt, the <a href="/wiki/Long_snapper" title="Long snapper">long snapper</a> is allowed to regain his balance and assume a protective position before he is contacted by the defense. </td> <td>— </td> <td>15 yards and an automatic first down </td> <td>15 yards and an automatic first down </td> <td>15 yards and an automatic first down </td> <td>— </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Running_into_the_kicker"></span>Running into the kicker<br />(special teams) </td> <td>On a kicking play where the defense fails to touch ("block") the kicked ball, the defense runs into the kicker/punter. If such an act occurs but is not intentional, this foul is assessed. If intentional, the personal foul of <a href="#Roughing_the_Kicker">roughing the kicker</a> is assessed instead (see above). </td> <td>Extending one leg, straight, up to about a 20 degree angle in front of the body. </td> <td>5 yards </td> <td>5 yards </td> <td>5 yards </td> <td>10 yards <p>(see <a class="mw-selflink-fragment" href="#Contacting_the_kicker">contacting the kicker</a>) </p> </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Sideline_infraction"></span>Sideline infraction </td> <td>A player is outside of the team box, a coach is outside the coaches' box (along the sideline in front of the team box), or too many coaches are in the coaches' box. (In high school, the penalty for a coach on the field of play is unsportsmanlike conduct, not a sideline infraction.) </td> <td>Arms bent and extended to both sides, hands waved forward and backward in a pushing motion.<br />Interference (NFHS): Both hands placed behind the back. </td> <td>N/A </td> <td>5 yards (first infraction)<br />15 yards (subsequent infractions, also unsportsmanlike conduct) </td> <td>No yardage (first infraction—warning)<br />5 yards (second infraction—interference)<br />15 yards (subsequent infractions—unsportsmanlike conduct, interference) </td> <td>— </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Spearing"></span><a href="/wiki/Spearing_(gridiron_football)" title="Spearing (gridiron football)">Spearing</a><br />(offense or defense) </td> <td>Tackling or otherwise contacting an opponent with one's helmet. (This technique is illegal because of the risk of neck injuries to the tackler.) </td> <td>The signal for a personal foul (except in high school), followed by: Arm extended, bent at the elbow, touching the side of his head with a closed fist </td> <td>15 yards; automatic first down if committed by defense. Penalty also counts regardless of how many yards the offense gained. (Starting from 2017 season, this foul is no longer referred to as spearing in the NFL rulebook, but as "targeting with the crown of the helmet".) </td> <td>15 yards; automatic first down if committed by defense (this foul is no longer referred to as spearing in the NCAA rulebook, but as "targeting with the crown of the helmet") </td> <td>15 yards </td> <td>15 yards; 25 yards if the contact is with the opponent's head or neck </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Targeting"></span>Targeting </td> <td>A defensive player tackles with the crown of his helmet, by initiating contact to the opponent's head above the player's neck, or makes helmet-to-helmet collision. Under NFL and NCAA rules, also applies when an offensive player initiates the same types of contact. </td> <td>The signal for a personal foul (except in high school), followed by: One arm bent to form a triangle, fist pointing at head. </td> <td>15 yards, ejection; if penalty occurs in second half, player is suspended for the first half of his team's next game. Penalty subject to video review. If hit is not deemed to be targeting by the video review, player allowed to stay in the game and yardage not enforced. </td> <td>15 yards, ejection; if penalty occurs in second half, player is suspended for the first half of his team's next game. Penalty subject to video review. If hit is not deemed to be targeting by the video review, player allowed to stay in the game and yardage not enforced. </td> <td>15 yards </td> <td>— </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Time_count_violation"></span>Time count violation </td> <td>On offense, failing to snap the ball before the play clock reaches zero </td> <td>One arm extended out nearly horizontally and moved in a circular motion </td> <td><i>see <a href="#Delay_of_game">Delay of game</a> above</i> </td> <td><i>see Delay of game above</i> </td> <td><i>see Delay of game above</i> </td> <td>Before the three-minute warning in either half, or during convert attempts at any time: 5 yards<div class="paragraphbreak" style="margin-top:0.5em"></div>After the three-minute warning and on first or second down: loss of down<div class="paragraphbreak" style="margin-top:0.5em"></div>After the three-minute warning and on third down: 10 yards, or loss of possession if judged intentional by the referee </td></tr> <tr> <td>Too many men</td> <td>— </td> <td>— </td> <td>— </td> <td>— </td> <td>— </td> <td>See <a href="#Illegal_participation">Illegal participation</a>, the equivalent foul in American football </td></tr> <tr> <td>Too many men in formation</td> <td>— </td> <td>— </td> <td>— </td> <td>— </td> <td>— </td> <td>See <a href="#Illegal_substitution">Illegal substitution</a>, the equivalent foul in American football </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Tripping"></span>Tripping </td> <td>A player trips another player with the lower leg. </td> <td>One foot kicks the ankle of the other leg from behind </td> <td>10 yards, automatic first down if committed by defense. </td> <td>15 yards, automatic first down, and possible disqualification if committed by defense. </td> <td>15 yards </td> <td>— </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="unfair_act"></span><a href="/wiki/Unfair_act" title="Unfair act">Unfair act</a> </td> <td>Any illegal action in which the penalty is insufficient to offset the result of the act. The NFL rule (known as a <i>palpably unfair act</i>) also requires that the opposing team would have scored had the illegal act not happened, which is not required at the college or high school levels. <p>In high school only, committing repeated fouls that halve the distance to the goal is explicitly defined as an unfair act. </p> </td> <td>— </td> <td>Yardage or score at discretion of referee, possible disqualification. In the case of an <i>extraordinarily unfair act</i>, the NFL Commissioner has the sole authority to conduct an investigation and take appropriate disciplinary and/or corrective measures. The latter include monetary fines, draft-choice forfeitures, suspension, re-playing the game, and <a href="/wiki/Forfeit_(sport)" title="Forfeit (sport)">reversal of the game result</a>. </td> <td>Any penalty at discretion of referee, up to and including <a href="/wiki/Forfeit_(sport)" title="Forfeit (sport)">forfeiture</a> of the game. </td> <td>Any penalty at discretion of referee, up to and including <a href="/wiki/Forfeit_(sport)" title="Forfeit (sport)">forfeiture</a> of the game. </td> <td>— </td></tr> <tr> <td><span class="anchor" id="Unsportsmanlike_conduct"></span><a href="/wiki/Unsportsmanlike_conduct" title="Unsportsmanlike conduct">Unsportsmanlike conduct</a> (Objectionable conduct in Canadian football) </td> <td>Any person (usually a player but occasionally a coach and very rarely one or more spectators) acts or speaks in a manner deemed to be intentionally harmful or especially objectionable by the game officials, or by rule. Unsportsmanlike conduct is a non-contact foul; if contact is involved it becomes a personal foul. Examples include verbal abuse of officials, and taunting, which, since 2004 in the NFL, has included any "prolonged and premeditated celebrations" by players (prior to that year the latter carried only a 5-yard penalty). Later rules included using the football or end zone pylon in a touchdown celebration. If the officials decide that the action was particularly flagrant, the player, coach or spectator in question may be ejected from the game. In high school, if a single player, coach or spectator commits two unsportsmanlike conduct fouls, the person in question should automatically be ejected, a rule adopted by the NFL in 2016. </td> <td>(American) Both arms extended to the sides perpendicular to the body with open fists, palms down. (Canadian) One hand placed behind the back at the waist. </td> <td>15 yards, automatic first down if committed by defense (penalty also counts regardless of how many yards the offense gained). </td> <td>15 yards, automatic first down if committed by defense (penalty also counts regardless of how many yards the offense gained). As of 2011, if the foul was committed (1) during a play that ended in a touchdown, (2) before the ball crossed the goal line, and (3) by the team that scored, the touchdown is nullified, and the penalty is assessed from the spot of the foul.<sup id="cite_ref-2011_NCAA_changes_20-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-2011_NCAA_changes-20"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>20<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td> <td>15 yards </td> <td>10 yards </td></tr></tbody></table> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="See_also">See also</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Penalty_(gridiron_football)&action=edit&section=9" title="Edit section: See also"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/1941_Oklahoma_City_vs._Youngstown_football_game" title="1941 Oklahoma City vs. Youngstown football game">1941 Oklahoma City vs. Youngstown football game</a>, first use of the <a href="/wiki/Penalty_flag" title="Penalty flag">penalty flag</a></li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="References">References</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Penalty_(gridiron_football)&action=edit&section=10" title="Edit section: References"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <dl><dt>Notes</dt></dl> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1239543626">.mw-parser-output .reflist{margin-bottom:0.5em;list-style-type:decimal}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .reflist{font-size:90%}}.mw-parser-output .reflist .references{font-size:100%;margin-bottom:0;list-style-type:inherit}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-2{column-width:30em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-3{column-width:25em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns{margin-top:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns ol{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns li{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-alpha{list-style-type:upper-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-roman{list-style-type:upper-roman}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-alpha{list-style-type:lower-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-greek{list-style-type:lower-greek}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-roman{list-style-type:lower-roman}</style><div class="reflist"> <div class="mw-references-wrap mw-references-columns"><ol class="references"> <li id="cite_note-1"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-1">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1238218222">.mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit;word-wrap:break-word}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"\"""\"""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation:target{background-color:rgba(0,127,255,0.133)}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-free.id-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Lock-green.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited.id-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration.id-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription.id-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg")right 0.1em center/12px no-repeat}body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-free a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background-size:contain;padding:0 1em 0 0}.mw-parser-output .cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:none;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#085;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right{padding-right:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .citation .mw-selflink{font-weight:inherit}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}</style><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.nfl.com/rulebook/definitions">"NFL Rules Digest: Definitions"</a>. <i>www.nfl.com</i><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">2017-12-26</span></span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=www.nfl.com&rft.atitle=NFL+Rules+Digest%3A+Definitions&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfl.com%2Frulebook%2Fdefinitions&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APenalty+%28gridiron+football%29" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-2"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-2">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.pro-football-fans.com/nfl-rules.html">"NFL Rules of the Game"</a><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">2017-12-26</span></span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=NFL+Rules+of+the+Game.&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pro-football-fans.com%2Fnfl-rules.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APenalty+%28gridiron+football%29" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-3"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-3">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.nfl.com/rulebook/penaltysummaries">"NFL Rules Digest: Summary of Penalties"</a>. <i>www.nfl.com</i><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">2017-12-26</span></span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=www.nfl.com&rft.atitle=NFL+Rules+Digest%3A+Summary+of+Penalties&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfl.com%2Frulebook%2Fpenaltysummaries&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APenalty+%28gridiron+football%29" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-4"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-4">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.nfl.com/rulebook/digestofrules">"NFL Digest of Rules"</a>. <i>www.nfl.com</i><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">2017-12-26</span></span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=www.nfl.com&rft.atitle=NFL+Digest+of+Rules&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfl.com%2Frulebook%2Fdigestofrules&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APenalty+%28gridiron+football%29" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-5"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-5">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">NCAA Rule 2-9</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-6"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-6">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.ozy.com/true-and-stories/how-a-college-coach-and-his-wife-changed-football-forever/79276/">"How a College Coach and His Wife Changed Football Forever"</a>. 6 August 2017<span class="reference-accessdate">. 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Retrieved <span class="nowrap">2022-06-17</span></span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=CFL.ca&rft.atitle=Get+up+to+speed+on+new+CFL+rule+changes&rft.date=2022-04-27&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cfl.ca%2F2022%2F04%2F27%2Frule-changes-build-on-strengths-of-the-cfl-game%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APenalty+%28gridiron+football%29" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-8"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-8">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://operations.nfl.com/the-rules/2017-nfl-rulebook/#article-3.-referee%E2%80%99s-authority">"2017 NFL Rulebook | NFL Football Operations"</a>. <i>operations.nfl.com</i><span class="reference-accessdate">. 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class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Delay_of_game" title="Delay of game">Delay of game</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Delay_of_game" title="Delay of game">Time count</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Encroachment_(gridiron_football)" title="Encroachment (gridiron football)">Encroachment</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/False_start#Gridiron_football" title="False start">False start</a></li> <li><a class="mw-selflink-fragment" href="#Illegal_contact">Illegal contact</a></li> <li><a class="mw-selflink-fragment" href="#Illegal_formation">Illegal formation</a></li> <li><a class="mw-selflink-fragment" href="#Illegal_forward_pass">Illegal forward pass</a></li> <li><a class="mw-selflink-fragment" href="#Illegal_touching_of_a_free_kick">Illegal touching of a free kick</a></li> <li><a class="mw-selflink-fragment" href="#Illegal_motion">Illegal motion</a></li> <li><a class="mw-selflink-fragment" href="#Illegal_participation">Illegal participation</a></li> <li><a class="mw-selflink-fragment" href="#Illegal_shift">Illegal shift</a></li> <li><a class="mw-selflink-fragment" href="#Illegal_Substitution">Illegal substitution</a></li> <li><a class="mw-selflink-fragment" href="#Illegal_touching">Illegal touching</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Ineligible_receiver_downfield" title="Ineligible receiver downfield">Ineligible receiver downfield</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Neutral_zone_infraction" class="mw-redirect" title="Neutral zone infraction">Neutral zone infraction</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Offside_(American_football)" title="Offside (American football)">Offside</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Sideline_infraction" class="mw-redirect" title="Sideline infraction">Sideline infraction</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">10-yard penalties</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Block_in_the_back" title="Block in the back">Block in the back</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Helping_the_runner" title="Helping the runner">Helping the runner</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Holding_(American_football)" title="Holding (American football)">Holding</a></li> <li><a class="mw-selflink-fragment" href="#Illegal_use_of_hands">Illegal use of hands</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Intentional_grounding" title="Intentional grounding">Intentional grounding</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">15-yard penalties</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Blocking_below_the_waist" title="Blocking below the waist">Blocking below the waist</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Chop_block_(gridiron_football)" title="Chop block (gridiron football)">Chop block</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Clipping_(gridiron_football)" title="Clipping (gridiron football)">Clipping</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Face_mask_(gridiron_football)" title="Face mask (gridiron football)">Face mask</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Helmet-to-helmet_collision" title="Helmet-to-helmet collision">Helmet-to-helmet collision</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Horse-collar_tackle" title="Horse-collar tackle">Horse-collar tackle</a></li> <li><a class="mw-selflink-fragment" href="#Illegal_hands_to_the_face">Illegal hands to the face</a></li> <li><a class="mw-selflink-fragment" href="#Illegal_forward_kick">Illegal forward kick</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Pass_interference" title="Pass interference">Pass interference</a></li> <li><a class="mw-selflink-fragment" href="#Leaping">Leaping</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Personal_foul_(American_football)" class="mw-redirect" title="Personal foul (American football)">Personal foul</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Roughing_the_kicker" title="Roughing the kicker">Roughing the kicker</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Roughing_the_passer" title="Roughing the passer">Roughing the passer</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Roughing_the_snapper" class="mw-redirect" title="Roughing the snapper">Roughing the snapper</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Spearing_(gridiron_football)" title="Spearing (gridiron football)">Spearing</a></li> <li><a class="mw-selflink-fragment" href="#Tripping">Tripping</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Unsportsmanlike_conduct" title="Unsportsmanlike conduct">Unsportsmanlike conduct</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table></div> <div class="navbox-styles"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236075235"></div><div role="navigation" class="navbox" aria-labelledby="Gridiron_football_concepts" style="padding:3px"><table class="nowraplinks mw-collapsible mw-collapsed navbox-inner" style="border-spacing:0;background:transparent;color:inherit"><tbody><tr><th scope="col" class="navbox-title" colspan="2"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1239400231"><div class="navbar plainlinks hlist navbar-mini"><ul><li class="nv-view"><a href="/wiki/Template:Gridiron_football_concepts" title="Template:Gridiron football concepts"><abbr title="View this template">v</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-talk"><a href="/wiki/Template_talk:Gridiron_football_concepts" title="Template talk:Gridiron football concepts"><abbr title="Discuss this template">t</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-edit"><a href="/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Gridiron_football_concepts" title="Special:EditPage/Template:Gridiron football concepts"><abbr title="Edit this template">e</abbr></a></li></ul></div><div id="Gridiron_football_concepts" style="font-size:114%;margin:0 4em"><a href="/wiki/Gridiron_football" title="Gridiron football">Gridiron football</a> concepts</div></th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Codes</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/American_football" title="American football">American</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_American_football_terms" title="Glossary of American football terms">Glossary</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/History_of_American_football" title="History of American football">History</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Early_history_of_American_football" title="Early history of American football">Early</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Modern_history_of_American_football" title="Modern history of American football">Modern</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/American_football_rules" title="American football rules">Rules</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Arena_football" title="Arena football">Arena</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Canadian_football" title="Canadian football">Canadian</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Comparison_of_American_and_Canadian_football" title="Comparison of American and Canadian football">American–Canadian comparison</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Burnside_rules" title="Burnside rules">Burnside rules</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_Canadian_football" class="mw-redirect" title="Glossary of Canadian football">Glossary</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Nine-man_football" title="Nine-man football">9-man</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Eight-man_football" title="Eight-man football">8-man</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/A7FL" title="A7FL">7-man</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Six-man_football" title="Six-man football">6-man</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Flag_football" title="Flag football">Flag</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Touch_football_(American)" title="Touch football (American)">Touch</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Street_football_(American)" title="Street football (American)">Street/Backyard</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Powderpuff_(sports)" title="Powderpuff (sports)">Powderpuff</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Wheelchair_Football_(American)" title="Wheelchair Football (American)">Wheelchair</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/List_of_gridiron_football_rules" title="List of gridiron football rules">Rules of gridiron football codes</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Levels of play</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li>Youth/midget <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Pop_Warner_Little_Scholars" title="Pop Warner Little Scholars">Pop Warner</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/American_Youth_Football" title="American Youth Football">AYF</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/High_school_football" title="High school football">High school</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Varsity_team" title="Varsity team">Varsity</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Junior_varsity_team" class="mw-redirect" title="Junior varsity team">Junior varsity</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/College_football" title="College football">College</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Club_football" class="mw-redirect" title="Club football">Club</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Sprint_football" title="Sprint football">Sprint</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Semi-professional" class="mw-redirect" title="Semi-professional">Semi-pro</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Professional_gridiron_football" title="Professional gridiron football">Professional</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Women%27s_American_football" class="mw-redirect" title="Women's American football">Women's</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/International_Federation_of_American_Football" title="International Federation of American Football">International</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/American_football_field" title="American football field">Field</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"></div><table class="nowraplinks navbox-subgroup" style="border-spacing:0"><tbody><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Lines</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Yard_lines" class="mw-redirect" title="Yard lines">Yard lines</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Hash_marks" class="mw-redirect" title="Hash marks">Hash marks</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/End_line" title="End line">End line</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Goal_line_(gridiron_football)" title="Goal line (gridiron football)">Goal line</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Sidelines" class="mw-redirect" title="Sidelines">Sidelines</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Line_of_scrimmage" title="Line of scrimmage">Line of scrimmage</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Field_goal_range" title="Field goal range">Field goal range</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Spaces</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/End_zone" title="End zone">End zone</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Red_zone_(gridiron_football)" title="Red zone (gridiron football)">Red zone</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Dead_zone_(gridiron_football)" title="Dead zone (gridiron football)">Dead zone</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Neutral_zone_(gridiron_football)" title="Neutral zone (gridiron football)">Neutral zone</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Coffin_corner_(American_football)" title="Coffin corner (American football)">Coffin corner</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Flat_(gridiron_football)" title="Flat (gridiron football)">Flat</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Gap_(American_football)" title="Gap (American football)">Gap</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Hole_(American_football)" title="Hole (American football)">Hole</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Passing_pocket" title="Passing pocket">Pocket</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table><div></div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Scoring</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Touchdown" title="Touchdown">Touchdown</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Conversion_(gridiron_football)" title="Conversion (gridiron football)">One-point conversion</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Two-point_conversion" title="Two-point conversion">Two-point conversion</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Field_goal" title="Field goal">Field goal</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Safety_(gridiron_football_score)" title="Safety (gridiron football score)">Safety</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Single_(football)" title="Single (football)">Single (rouge)</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Ball handling</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Snap_(football)" class="mw-redirect" title="Snap (football)">Snap</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Forward_pass" title="Forward pass">Forward pass</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Lateral_pass" title="Lateral pass">Lateral</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Incomplete_pass" title="Incomplete pass">Incomplete pass</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Drop-back_pass" title="Drop-back pass">Drop-back pass</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Hail_Mary_pass" title="Hail Mary pass">Hail Mary pass</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Hand-off" title="Hand-off">Hand-off</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Rush_(gridiron_football)" title="Rush (gridiron football)">Rush</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Punt_(gridiron_football)" title="Punt (gridiron football)">Punt</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Touchback" title="Touchback">Touchback</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Drop_kick" title="Drop kick">Drop kick</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Kickoff_(gridiron_football)" title="Kickoff (gridiron football)">Kickoff</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Onside_kick" title="Onside kick">Onside kick</a></li></ul></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Turnover_(gridiron_football)" title="Turnover (gridiron football)">Turnovers</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Fumble" title="Fumble">Fumble</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Interception" title="Interception">Interception</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Muffed_punt" title="Muffed punt">Muffed punt</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Charles_Tillman" title="Charles Tillman">"Peanut Punch"</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Turnover_on_downs" title="Turnover on downs">Turnover on downs</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Down_(gridiron_football)" title="Down (gridiron football)">Downs</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Down_(gridiron_football)" title="Down (gridiron football)">First down</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Down_(gridiron_football)#Three-and-out" title="Down (gridiron football)">Three-and-out</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Fourth_down_conversion" class="mw-redirect" title="Fourth down conversion">Fourth down conversion</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Dead_ball#Gridiron_football" title="Dead ball">Dead ball</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Play_clock" title="Play clock">Play clock</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Time-out_(sport)#American_and_Canadian_football" title="Time-out (sport)">Timeout</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Quarterback_kneel" title="Quarterback kneel">Kneel</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Spike_(gridiron_football)" title="Spike (gridiron football)">Spike</a></li> <li>Time warnings <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Three-minute_warning" title="Three-minute warning">3 min.</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Two-minute_warning" title="Two-minute warning">2 min.</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/One-minute_warning" title="One-minute warning">1 min.</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Clock_management" title="Clock management">Clock management</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Running_out_the_clock" title="Running out the clock">Running out the clock</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Untimed_play" title="Untimed play">Untimed play</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Garbage_time" title="Garbage time">Garbage time</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Statistics</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/All-purpose_yardage" title="All-purpose yardage">All-purpose yardage</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Carry_(gridiron_football)" title="Carry (gridiron football)">Carry</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Completion_(American_football)" title="Completion (American football)">Completion</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Next_Gen_Stats" title="Next Gen Stats">Next Gen Stats</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Pass_deflected" title="Pass deflected">Pass deflected</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Passer_rating" title="Passer rating">Passer rating</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Passing_yards" class="mw-redirect" title="Passing yards">Passing yards</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Reception_(gridiron_football)" title="Reception (gridiron football)">Receiving yards</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Reception_(gridiron_football)" title="Reception (gridiron football)">Reception</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Return_yards" title="Return yards">Return yards</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Carry_(gridiron_football)" title="Carry (gridiron football)">Rushing yards</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Quarterback_sack" title="Quarterback sack">Sack</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Total_offense" title="Total offense">Total offense</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Total_quarterback_rating" title="Total quarterback rating">Total quarterback rating</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Touchdown_pass" title="Touchdown pass">Touchdown pass</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Yards_after_catch" title="Yards after catch">Yards after catch</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Yards_from_scrimmage" title="Yards from scrimmage">Yards from scrimmage</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Practice</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Practice_squad" title="Practice squad">Practice squad</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Two-a-days_(football)" title="Two-a-days (football)">Two-a-days</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Oklahoma_drill" title="Oklahoma drill">Oklahoma drill</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Three-cone_drill" title="Three-cone drill">Three-cone drill</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Film_session" title="Film session">Film session</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Officiating</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Official_(gridiron_football)" title="Official (gridiron football)">Official</a> (<a href="/wiki/Official_(American_football)" class="mw-redirect" title="Official (American football)">American</a>, <a href="/wiki/Official_(Canadian_football)" title="Official (Canadian football)">Canadian</a>)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Chain_crew" title="Chain crew">Chain crew</a></li> <li><a class="mw-selflink selflink">Penalty</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Penalty_flag" title="Penalty flag">Penalty flag</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Replay_review_in_gridiron_football" title="Replay review in gridiron football">Instant replay</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Related</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Gridiron_ball" class="mw-redirect" title="Gridiron ball">Ball</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Blocking_(American_football)" title="Blocking (American football)">Blocking</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Coaching_tree" title="Coaching tree">Coaching tree</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Concussions_in_American_football" title="Concussions in American football">Concussions</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Protective_equipment_in_gridiron_football" title="Protective equipment in gridiron football">Equipment</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Football_IQ" title="Football IQ">Football IQ</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Formation_(American_football)" title="Formation (American football)">Formations</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/List_of_formations_in_American_football" title="List of formations in American football">List</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Letterman_(sports)" title="Letterman (sports)">Letterman</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Gatorade_shower" title="Gatorade shower">Gatorade shower</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Overtime_(sports)#American_and_Canadian_football" title="Overtime (sports)">Overtime</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/American_football_plays" title="American football plays">Plays</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/American_football_positions" title="American football positions">Positions</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Running_up_the_score" title="Running up the score">Running up the score</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/American_football_strategy" class="mw-redirect" title="American football strategy">Strategy</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Touchdown_celebration" title="Touchdown celebration">Touchdown celebration</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Tuck_rule_(American_football)" title="Tuck rule (American football)">Tuck rule</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/American_football_card" title="American football card">Trading card</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/12th_man_(football)" title="12th man (football)">Twelfth man</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table></div>    </div><noscript><img src="https://login.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:CentralAutoLogin/start?type=1x1" alt="" width="1" height="1" style="border: none; position: absolute;"></noscript> <div class="printfooter" data-nosnippet="">Retrieved from "<a dir="ltr" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Penalty_(gridiron_football)&oldid=1258675239">https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Penalty_(gridiron_football)&oldid=1258675239</a>"</div></div> <div id="catlinks" class="catlinks" data-mw="interface"><div id="mw-normal-catlinks" class="mw-normal-catlinks"><a href="/wiki/Help:Category" 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