Rule 10 - Penalty Enforcement
SECTION 1. Penalties Completed
Article 1 - How and When Completed
a. A penalty is completed when it is accepted, declined, offset or cancelled according to rule, or when the choice is obvious to the referee.
b. Any penalty may be declined, but a disqualified player must leave the game whether the penalty is accepted or declined (Rule 2-27-12).
c. When a foul is committed, the penalty shall be completed before the ball is declared ready for play for any ensuing down.
d. Penalties as stated are not enforced if in conflict with other rules.
Article 2 - Simultaneous with Snap
A foul that occurs simultaneously with a snap or free kick is considered as occurring during that down (Exception: Rule 3-5-2-e).
Article 3 - Live-Ball Fouls by the Same Team
When two or more live-ball fouls by the same team are reported to the referee, the offended team may elect only one of these penalties. Any player who commits a foul that mandates disqualification must leave the game.
Article 4 - Offsetting Fouls
If live-ball fouls by both teams are reported to the referee, the fouls offset and the down is repeated. (A.R. 10-1-4:I and VII) Any player who commits a foul that mandates disqualification must leave the game.
Exceptions:
1. When there is a change of team possession during a down, and the team last gaining possession had not fouled before last gaining possession, it may refuse offsetting fouls and thereby retain possession after completion of the penalty for its foul. (A.R. 10-1-4:II-VII)
2. When all Team B fouls that occur before possession changes are governed by postscrimmage kick rules, Team B may refuse offsetting fouls and accept postscrimmage kick enforcement.
3. Rule 10-2-7-c (during a try or extra period after Team B possession).
Article 5 - Dead-Ball Fouls
Penalties for dead-ball fouls are administered separately and in order of occurrence (A.R. 10-1-5:I-III) [Exception: When dead-ball unsportsmanlike or dead-ball personal fouls by both teams are reported to the referee and none of the penalties have been completed, the yardage penalties cancel and the number or type of down established before the fouls occurred is unaffected. Any disqualified player must leave the game (Rules 5-2-6 and 10-2-2-a)].
Article 6 - Live-Ball – Dead-Ball Fouls
a. Live-ball fouls do not offset dead-ball fouls.
b. When a live-ball foul by one team is followed by one or more dead-ball fouls (including live-ball fouls treated as dead-ball fouls) by an opponent or by the same team, the penalties are administered separately and in the order of occurrence. (A.R. 10-1-6:I-VI)
Article 7 - Interval Fouls
Penalties for fouls that occur between the end of the fourth period and the start of the extra period for overtime, between possession series during an extra period, and between extra periods are enforced from the 25-yard line, the spot of the next possession series (Exception: Rule 10-2-5). (A.R. 10-2-5:I-XII)