AR 7-1-3 / Illegal Plays

I. After the ball is ready, the offense sets in a formation (first shift), after 3 seconds they shift to
different formation and immediately snap the ball.
RULING: Penalty for illegal shift, the whistle shall be blown at the snap and the ball remains dead.

II. After the ball is ready, the offense sets in a formation (first shift), after 3 seconds the receiver
on the right side starts a motion towards the quarterback, makes a circle around them and
continues moving towards the right side line, parallel to the scrimmage line, as the ball is
snapped.
RULING: No foul, legal motion.

III. 2 & middle at Os 24.5-yd line, the quarterback, who is under center, makes a step forward and
stretch the ball over the middle before being deflagged.
RULING: No First Down. Penalty for illegal run. Next play 3 & middle at Os 19.5-yd line.
NOTE: Same ruling applies at the goal line. Technically it would be an illegal run play in the
no-running zone too.

IV. 2 & middle at Os 19-yd line, the quarterback rolls out, steps just beyond the scrimmage line
and get deflagged by a defender who was positioned less than 7 yd from the scrimmage line
at the snap. The quarterback then throws a pass.
RULING: Penalty for illegal run. No foul for illegal pass, the ball was dead prior to the pass being
thrown. When the quarterback has crossed the scrimmage line (R 2-3-2) all defenders have
the right to pull the flag of the runner. Next play 3 & middle at Os 14-yd line.
NOTE: No foul for illegal blitz if the defender technically crosses the scrimmage line whilst
attempting the flag pull, even if the quarterback retreats behind the scrimmage line before
being deflagged.

V. 2 & goal at Ds 4-yd line, the quarterback throws a pass which is completed at Ds 5-yd line and
advanced into the end zone.
RULING: Penalty for illegal run play. A forward pass has to cross the scrimmage line to be
considered as a forward pass play (R 2-3-3). Next play 3 & goal at Ds 9-yd line (outside the
no-running zone), no forward pass play needed.

VI. 2 & goal at Ds 4-yd line, the quarterback throws a pass which is deflected by a defender
behind the scrimmage line. The quarterback catches the ball and runs into the end zone.
RULING: Touchdown. No illegal run. A pass touched by the defense is considered as a forward
pass play (R 2-3-3).

VII. 2 & goal at Ds 8-yd line, the quarterback throws a pass which is deflected by a receiver behind
the scrimmage line or bounces the ball off the snappers back. The quarterback catches the
ball fakes a pass play and afterwards runs into the end zone.
RULING: No touchdown, penalties for illegal run (R 7-1-3-e) and illegal touching (R 7-2-5-a) by the quarterback. Next play 3 & goal at Ds 13-yd line (or 3 & goal at Ds 8-yd line).
NOTE: If this play were to take place in the no-running zone then it would also be a foul for failing
to execute a forward pass pla