NFHS FOOTBALL CASE PLAYS - RULE 10 (ENFORCEMENT OF PENALTIES) 2025/2026
8.2.1 SITUATION:
Runner A10 dives into the pylon at the intersection of the goal line and sidelines and the ball breaks the
plane of the goal line. - (ANSWER)RULING: Touchdown. Assuming the pylon was placed properly, the
ball broke the plane of the goal line prior to the touching of the pylon.
8.2.2 SITUATION A:
During (a) A9's run for a touchdown, B2 holds A1, or (b) K1's field goal, R2 holds K1. - (ANSWER)RULING:
In (a), A will likely keep the score and may choose to enforce the penalty on the try or enforce the
penalty on the subsequent kickoff. In (b), K may keep the points and have the penalty enforced from the
succeeding spot, or have the penalty enforced from the previous spot and replay the down. (8-4-3)
8.2.2 SITUATION B:
On the down in which time expired for the second period, Team A:
(a) scores a field goal or(b) scores a touchdown.
In both cases, the opponents of the scoring team commit a live-ball foul. - (ANSWER)RULING: In (a), the
offended team has the option to keep the score, with the penalty assessed on the second half kickoff as
this is the succeeding spot. In (b), the offended team has the option to keep the score, with penalty
assessment on either the try or on the second half kickoff as this would be the subsequent kickoff.
8.2.2 SITUATION C:
During the down in which time expires for hte fourth period, the opponents of Team A foul on a play
where Team A:
(a) scores a touchdown that leaves Team A trailing by one point,(b) scores a field goal which ties the
game, or(c) scores a touchdown that leaves team A trailing by one point and the opponents also foul on
the try. - (ANSWER)RULING: In (a), Team A has the option to keep the score, with the penalty assessed
on the try. The penalty cannot be assessed on the first play of overtime as there is no subsequent
kickoff. In (b), Team A has the option to keep the score, with penalty assessment on the first play of
overtime as the first play of overtime is the succeeding spot. In (c), Team A may only have the penalty
for the opponent foul on the scoring play enforced on the try but cannot carry over the penalty to
overtime; however, the foul by the opponent during the try could be enforced on the first play of
overtime at Team A's choice.
*8.2.2 SITUATION D:
, NFHS FOOTBALL CASE PLAYS - RULE 10 (ENFORCEMENT OF PENALTIES) 2025/2026
A1 scores a touchdown. After the score, B commits a (a) dead-ball, (b) unsportsmanlike or (c) nonplayer
foul prior to the initial ready-for-play on the try. - (ANSWER)RULING: In (a), (b) or (c), Team A may elect
to enforce the foul at the succeeding spot or on the subsequent kickoff.
8.2.2 SITUATION E:
Prior to the ball being thrown during a play in which A1 catches a touchdown pass and advances for a
touchdown, B1 holds A2 to prevent him from going out for a pass on the side away from the play. When
given options, A elects to enforce the penalty for the defensive holding foul on the subsequent kickoff.
During the successful two-point try, B1 is guilty of holding A1. Does A have the option of having the 10-
yard penalty added on to the previous 10-yard penalty on the subsequent kickoff? - (ANSWER)RULING:
Yes. The fouls did not occur during the same down, so these are not multiple fouls and, therefore, they
may both be enforced on the subsequent kickoff. (8-3-5b, 10-2-4)
8.2.2 SITUATION F:
During a touchdown run by A1, B1 holds. During the successful kick try, there is a foul by B2. -
(ANSWER)RULING: If A accepts the penalty for B's holding foul, A may accept the score and attempt the
try from the 1½-yard line or accept the score and have the penalty enforced on the subsequent kickoff.
For a foul on the try, A may accept and replay the try from the 3/4-yard line or accept the 1-point try
and enforce the penalty for B's try foul on the subsequent kickoff. The designated representative of A
may choose to have both penalties enforced on the subsequent kickoff.
8.2.2 SITUATION G:
A1 scores a touchdown. During the scoring play,
(a) A commits an unsportsmanlike foul or(b) B commits an unsportsmanlike foul. - (ANSWER)RULING: In
(a) and (b), the touchdown will be scored. The offended team will have the option to enforce the
penalty on the try or carry it to the subsequent kickoff.
8.3.1 SITUATION:
A has a huge lead and scores another touchdown in the third period, and the captain of A informs the
referee that his team does not wish to attempt the try. - (ANSWER)RULING: There is no choice. A shall
attempt a try, or at least snap the ball.
8.3.2 SITUATION A:
8.2.1 SITUATION:
Runner A10 dives into the pylon at the intersection of the goal line and sidelines and the ball breaks the
plane of the goal line. - (ANSWER)RULING: Touchdown. Assuming the pylon was placed properly, the
ball broke the plane of the goal line prior to the touching of the pylon.
8.2.2 SITUATION A:
During (a) A9's run for a touchdown, B2 holds A1, or (b) K1's field goal, R2 holds K1. - (ANSWER)RULING:
In (a), A will likely keep the score and may choose to enforce the penalty on the try or enforce the
penalty on the subsequent kickoff. In (b), K may keep the points and have the penalty enforced from the
succeeding spot, or have the penalty enforced from the previous spot and replay the down. (8-4-3)
8.2.2 SITUATION B:
On the down in which time expired for the second period, Team A:
(a) scores a field goal or(b) scores a touchdown.
In both cases, the opponents of the scoring team commit a live-ball foul. - (ANSWER)RULING: In (a), the
offended team has the option to keep the score, with the penalty assessed on the second half kickoff as
this is the succeeding spot. In (b), the offended team has the option to keep the score, with penalty
assessment on either the try or on the second half kickoff as this would be the subsequent kickoff.
8.2.2 SITUATION C:
During the down in which time expires for hte fourth period, the opponents of Team A foul on a play
where Team A:
(a) scores a touchdown that leaves Team A trailing by one point,(b) scores a field goal which ties the
game, or(c) scores a touchdown that leaves team A trailing by one point and the opponents also foul on
the try. - (ANSWER)RULING: In (a), Team A has the option to keep the score, with the penalty assessed
on the try. The penalty cannot be assessed on the first play of overtime as there is no subsequent
kickoff. In (b), Team A has the option to keep the score, with penalty assessment on the first play of
overtime as the first play of overtime is the succeeding spot. In (c), Team A may only have the penalty
for the opponent foul on the scoring play enforced on the try but cannot carry over the penalty to
overtime; however, the foul by the opponent during the try could be enforced on the first play of
overtime at Team A's choice.
*8.2.2 SITUATION D:
, NFHS FOOTBALL CASE PLAYS - RULE 10 (ENFORCEMENT OF PENALTIES) 2025/2026
A1 scores a touchdown. After the score, B commits a (a) dead-ball, (b) unsportsmanlike or (c) nonplayer
foul prior to the initial ready-for-play on the try. - (ANSWER)RULING: In (a), (b) or (c), Team A may elect
to enforce the foul at the succeeding spot or on the subsequent kickoff.
8.2.2 SITUATION E:
Prior to the ball being thrown during a play in which A1 catches a touchdown pass and advances for a
touchdown, B1 holds A2 to prevent him from going out for a pass on the side away from the play. When
given options, A elects to enforce the penalty for the defensive holding foul on the subsequent kickoff.
During the successful two-point try, B1 is guilty of holding A1. Does A have the option of having the 10-
yard penalty added on to the previous 10-yard penalty on the subsequent kickoff? - (ANSWER)RULING:
Yes. The fouls did not occur during the same down, so these are not multiple fouls and, therefore, they
may both be enforced on the subsequent kickoff. (8-3-5b, 10-2-4)
8.2.2 SITUATION F:
During a touchdown run by A1, B1 holds. During the successful kick try, there is a foul by B2. -
(ANSWER)RULING: If A accepts the penalty for B's holding foul, A may accept the score and attempt the
try from the 1½-yard line or accept the score and have the penalty enforced on the subsequent kickoff.
For a foul on the try, A may accept and replay the try from the 3/4-yard line or accept the 1-point try
and enforce the penalty for B's try foul on the subsequent kickoff. The designated representative of A
may choose to have both penalties enforced on the subsequent kickoff.
8.2.2 SITUATION G:
A1 scores a touchdown. During the scoring play,
(a) A commits an unsportsmanlike foul or(b) B commits an unsportsmanlike foul. - (ANSWER)RULING: In
(a) and (b), the touchdown will be scored. The offended team will have the option to enforce the
penalty on the try or carry it to the subsequent kickoff.
8.3.1 SITUATION:
A has a huge lead and scores another touchdown in the third period, and the captain of A informs the
referee that his team does not wish to attempt the try. - (ANSWER)RULING: There is no choice. A shall
attempt a try, or at least snap the ball.
8.3.2 SITUATION A:
