NFHS FOOTBALL CASE PLAYS - RULE 5
SERIES OF DOWNS, NUMBER OF
DOWNS, AND TEAM POSSESSION
AFTER PENALTIES
h5.1.1 SITUATION A:
What procedure is used to correct an error if it is discovered: (a) a fifth down has been run and the
discovery is prior to the ball becoming live after a new series of downs is awarded and prior to the
declaration of the end of any period; or (b) A has not been given its allotted four downs and the
discovery is prior to the ball becoming live after a new series of downs is awarded and prior to the
declaration of the end of any period? - RULING: In both cases, the number of the next down can be
corrected by the referee. In (a), play will revert to where it was before the fifth down was run after the
enforcement of any personal, dead ball or unsportsmanlike fouls that occurred during the down. In (b),
the referee can declare the proper next down and resume play.
5.1.1 SITUATION B:
Second down and six. On the last play of the third period, A38 gains three yards. After the play, the
down-marker indicator is flipped to fourth down. Following a brief pause to ensure no reason to defer
ending the period, the referee holds the ball over his head to signify the end of the period. Both teams
change ends of the field and the chains are reversed. Before the ball is snapped for the first play of the
fourth period, Team A's coach notifies the game officials that he believes there is an error in the down. -
RULING: The third period officially ended when the referee held the ball over his head, and therefore the
down error may not be corrected.
5.1.1 SITUATION C:
During a fifth-down play, Team A is flagged for: (a) illegal formation; (b) holding; (c) twisting the face
mask; (d) taunting; or (e) fighting. - RULING: The penalties are not enforced in (a) or (b). In (c), (d) and
(e), the penalty is enforced as a dead-ball foul before Team B snaps the ball. In (e), the offending player is
also disqualified.
5.1.1 SITUATION D:
The ball is on the 50-yard line with 10 yards to go for a first down. The down-marker indicator
erroneously indicates fourth down when Team K punts on what is actually: (a) third down or (b) fifth
down. R6 returns the punt for an apparent touchdown. Prior to the try and without the period ending, it
is brought to the attention of the game officials that the down-marker indicator was in error. - RULING: In
(a), the score is cancelled and the ball is returned to the 50-yard line, third down and 10 for A as Team A.
In (b), the fifth down was run in error, the score is cancelled and the ball is returned to the 50-yard line,
first down and 10 for R.
, 5.1.1 SITUATION E:
Erroneously, the chains are set before enforcement of a dead-ball foul instead of following enforcement.
Up to what point can this be corrected? - RULING: Until the ball is legally snapped. After that point, it is
too late.
5.1.2 SITUATION A:
Following the ready-for-play signal for a new series by A: (a) B1 encroaches, or (b) A1 false starts. -
RULING: In (a), it is first and 5 and in (b) it is first and 15 for A.
5.1.2 SITUATION B:
During A1's run for a first down to B's 20-yard line, B12 commits a nonplayer foul for a substitute
entering the field during the down, but not participating. Immediately following the down, A1 taunts an
opponent. - RULING: If accepted, the penalty for B entering during the down is enforced from the
succeeding spot. After the decision on this penalty, A will be penalized 15 yards for unsportsmanlike
conduct and A will have the ball for a new series, first and 10. (3-7-6, 9-5-1a)
5.1.2 SITUATION C:
Third and 10 for A from B's 40-yard line. A1 gains 10 yards and is downed on B's 30. A2 taunts B1 during
the run. - RULING: Since the live-ball action gave A a new series, the line to gain shall be established after
A is penalized for A2's unsportsmanlike act. It will be first and 10 for A from B's 45-yard line.
5.1.2 SITUATION D:
With fourth and 5 on B's 20, A1 is downed on B's 16-yard line. During the down, the coach of B is on the
field arguing with a game official. Following the down, A1 uses profanity. - RULING: Since A did not gain a
first down on the fourth-down run by A1, B has a new series. Enforcement of the penalties for the foul
on the coach of B and for the foul on A1 offset. B will have the ball first and 10 at B's 16-yard line.
5.1.2 SITUATION E:
Fourth and 2 on B's 25-yard line. A1 is tackled at the 26, short of the line to gain, and B2 then piles on. -
RULING: The referee shall signal a change of possession by signaling first down toward A's goal. The
penalty for B2's dead-ball foul is administered and the line-to-gain equipment then set, making it first
and 10 for B from its own 13-yard line.
COMMENT: On fourth-down plays, A must get a first down by virtue of the yardage gained, including any
yardage or an automatic first down from penalties for player fouls during the down, or it is a new series
for B automatically when the down ends unless the down is to be repeated. The penalties for all
unsportsmanlike and nonplayer fouls which occur during the down in which a new series is awarded,
and dead-ball fouls prior to the subsequent ready-for-play signal, will be administered before the new
line to gain is established and the chain and box are set. In all cases it will be first and 10 for A unless it is
inside the opponent's 10-yard line. On plays other than on fourth down, A may gain a first down by
virtue of the yards gained or from penalty enforcement.
5.1.2 SITUATION F:
SERIES OF DOWNS, NUMBER OF
DOWNS, AND TEAM POSSESSION
AFTER PENALTIES
h5.1.1 SITUATION A:
What procedure is used to correct an error if it is discovered: (a) a fifth down has been run and the
discovery is prior to the ball becoming live after a new series of downs is awarded and prior to the
declaration of the end of any period; or (b) A has not been given its allotted four downs and the
discovery is prior to the ball becoming live after a new series of downs is awarded and prior to the
declaration of the end of any period? - RULING: In both cases, the number of the next down can be
corrected by the referee. In (a), play will revert to where it was before the fifth down was run after the
enforcement of any personal, dead ball or unsportsmanlike fouls that occurred during the down. In (b),
the referee can declare the proper next down and resume play.
5.1.1 SITUATION B:
Second down and six. On the last play of the third period, A38 gains three yards. After the play, the
down-marker indicator is flipped to fourth down. Following a brief pause to ensure no reason to defer
ending the period, the referee holds the ball over his head to signify the end of the period. Both teams
change ends of the field and the chains are reversed. Before the ball is snapped for the first play of the
fourth period, Team A's coach notifies the game officials that he believes there is an error in the down. -
RULING: The third period officially ended when the referee held the ball over his head, and therefore the
down error may not be corrected.
5.1.1 SITUATION C:
During a fifth-down play, Team A is flagged for: (a) illegal formation; (b) holding; (c) twisting the face
mask; (d) taunting; or (e) fighting. - RULING: The penalties are not enforced in (a) or (b). In (c), (d) and
(e), the penalty is enforced as a dead-ball foul before Team B snaps the ball. In (e), the offending player is
also disqualified.
5.1.1 SITUATION D:
The ball is on the 50-yard line with 10 yards to go for a first down. The down-marker indicator
erroneously indicates fourth down when Team K punts on what is actually: (a) third down or (b) fifth
down. R6 returns the punt for an apparent touchdown. Prior to the try and without the period ending, it
is brought to the attention of the game officials that the down-marker indicator was in error. - RULING: In
(a), the score is cancelled and the ball is returned to the 50-yard line, third down and 10 for A as Team A.
In (b), the fifth down was run in error, the score is cancelled and the ball is returned to the 50-yard line,
first down and 10 for R.
, 5.1.1 SITUATION E:
Erroneously, the chains are set before enforcement of a dead-ball foul instead of following enforcement.
Up to what point can this be corrected? - RULING: Until the ball is legally snapped. After that point, it is
too late.
5.1.2 SITUATION A:
Following the ready-for-play signal for a new series by A: (a) B1 encroaches, or (b) A1 false starts. -
RULING: In (a), it is first and 5 and in (b) it is first and 15 for A.
5.1.2 SITUATION B:
During A1's run for a first down to B's 20-yard line, B12 commits a nonplayer foul for a substitute
entering the field during the down, but not participating. Immediately following the down, A1 taunts an
opponent. - RULING: If accepted, the penalty for B entering during the down is enforced from the
succeeding spot. After the decision on this penalty, A will be penalized 15 yards for unsportsmanlike
conduct and A will have the ball for a new series, first and 10. (3-7-6, 9-5-1a)
5.1.2 SITUATION C:
Third and 10 for A from B's 40-yard line. A1 gains 10 yards and is downed on B's 30. A2 taunts B1 during
the run. - RULING: Since the live-ball action gave A a new series, the line to gain shall be established after
A is penalized for A2's unsportsmanlike act. It will be first and 10 for A from B's 45-yard line.
5.1.2 SITUATION D:
With fourth and 5 on B's 20, A1 is downed on B's 16-yard line. During the down, the coach of B is on the
field arguing with a game official. Following the down, A1 uses profanity. - RULING: Since A did not gain a
first down on the fourth-down run by A1, B has a new series. Enforcement of the penalties for the foul
on the coach of B and for the foul on A1 offset. B will have the ball first and 10 at B's 16-yard line.
5.1.2 SITUATION E:
Fourth and 2 on B's 25-yard line. A1 is tackled at the 26, short of the line to gain, and B2 then piles on. -
RULING: The referee shall signal a change of possession by signaling first down toward A's goal. The
penalty for B2's dead-ball foul is administered and the line-to-gain equipment then set, making it first
and 10 for B from its own 13-yard line.
COMMENT: On fourth-down plays, A must get a first down by virtue of the yardage gained, including any
yardage or an automatic first down from penalties for player fouls during the down, or it is a new series
for B automatically when the down ends unless the down is to be repeated. The penalties for all
unsportsmanlike and nonplayer fouls which occur during the down in which a new series is awarded,
and dead-ball fouls prior to the subsequent ready-for-play signal, will be administered before the new
line to gain is established and the chain and box are set. In all cases it will be first and 10 for A unless it is
inside the opponent's 10-yard line. On plays other than on fourth down, A may gain a first down by
virtue of the yards gained or from penalty enforcement.
5.1.2 SITUATION F:
