American Football Rules Approved Ruling 4-1-2:I-V
I. Team A punts on fourth and 15 at the A-30. B44 is in position to receive the kick. In attempting to catch the ball, B44 muffs it at the B-35. The back judge blows his whistle when it appears that B44 is catching the ball, but it rolls along the ground after B44 muffs it. A88 chases the ball, and in the immediate continuing football action he recovers it while grounded at the B-30. B22 is flagged for holding during the kick. RULING: Inadvertent whistle. Rule 4-1-2-b-3 Exception 3 applies. Team A declines the penalty and will have the ball at the B-30, first and 10. [Cited by 4-1-2-b, 4-1-2-c]
II. Team A punts on fourth and 15 at the A-30. B44 is in position to receive the kick. In attempting to catch the ball, B44 muffs it at the B-35. The back judge blows his whistle when it appears that B44 is catching the ball, but it rolls along the ground after B44 muffs it. The ball disappears into a pile of players. B22 is flagged for holding during the kick. RULING: Inadvertent whistle. Since there is no clear recovery of the kick, the ball is returned to the previous spot and the 10-yard holding penalty is enforced. Team A retains possession and will have fourth and 5 at the A-40. [Cited by 4-1-2-b, 4-1-2-c]
III. First and 10 at the B-45. Ball carrier A22 is tackled and is going to the ground, when he fumbles. An official sounds his whistle inadvertently. Players on both teams go after the ball, and (a) B66 clearly recovers it while grounded. (b) it is not clear who recovers it. RULING: Inadvertent whistle. Rule 4-1-2-b-2 Exception 3 applies. (a) If it is determined that A22 lost control of the ball before he was down, then the ball belongs to Team B at the spot of the recovery by B66. (b) In the event that it cannot be determined which team recovers the ball, Team A retains possession at the dead-ball spot or may elect to repeat the down. [Cited by 4-1-2-b]
IV. Team A punts on fourth and 15 at the A-30. B44 is in position to receive the kick. In attempting to catch the ball, B44 muffs it at the B-35. The back judge blows his whistle when it appears that B44 is catching the ball, but it rolls along the ground after B44 muffs it. A88 chases the ball, and in the immediate continuing football action he recovers it while grounded at the B-30. RULING: Inadvertent whistle. Rule 4-1-2-b-3 Exception 3 applies. Team A will have the ball at the B-30, first and 10. [Cited by 4-1-2-b]
V. Team A punts on fourth and 15 at the A-30. B44 is in position to receive the kick. In attempting to catch the ball, B44 muffs it at the B-35. The back judge blows his whistle when it appears that B44 is catching the ball, but it rolls along the ground after B44 muffs it. The ball disappears into a pile of players. RULING: Inadvertent whistle. Since there is no clear recovery of the kick, the ruling of the dead ball stands. Repeat the down at the previous spot. [Cited by 4-1-2-b]