American Football Rules Approved Ruling 4-1-4:I and II

I. Snapper A1 snaps the ball before the ball is made ready for play. A2 muffs the snap and B1 recovers the ball. RULING: Dead ball foul, Team A illegal procedure. Penalty – Five-yards from the succeeding spot, Team A’s ball. The ball does not become alive, and all action should be stopped immediately by the game officials. [Cited by 2-2-4-b, 4-1-1, 4-1-4, 7-1-1-a, 7-1-1-b]
II. Kicker A1 kicks off before the referee has declared the ball ready for play. RULING: Dead ball foul. Penalty – Five yards from the succeeding spot. The ball does not become alive, and all action should be stopped immediately by the game officials. [Cited by 2-2-4-b, 4-1-1, 4-1-4, 7-1-1-a, 7-1-1-b]