Rule 2 – Section 2 – Article 3 – Loose Ball

a. A loose ball is a live ball not in player possession during:

1. A running play.
2. A scrimmage or free kick before possession is gained or regained or the ball is dead by rule.
3. The interval after a legal forward pass is touched and before it becomes complete, incomplete or intercepted. This interval is during a forward pass play, and any player eligible to touch the ball may bat it in any direction.