SECTION 1. PERSONAL FOULS

All fouls in this section (unless noted) and any other acts of unnecessary roughness are personal fouls. For flagrant personal fouls mandating conference review, see Rule 9-1 . Except as otherwise noted, the penalties for all personal fouls are as follows:
PENALTY—Personal foul. 15 yards. For dead-ball fouls, 15 yards from the succeeding spot. Automatic first down for fouls by Team B if not in conflict with other rules. Penalties for Team A live-ball personal fouls behind the neutral zone are enforced from the previous spot. Safety if the live-ball foul occurs behind Team A’s goal line [S7, S24, S25, S26, S28, S34, S38, S39, S40, S41, S45 or S46]. Flagrant offenders shall be ejected or disqualified [S47].
For Team A fouls during free or scrimmage kick plays:
Enforcement may be at the previous spot or, if the scrimmage kick crosses the neutral zone, the spot where the subsequent dead ball belongs to Team B (field-goal plays exempted) (Rule 6-1-8 and Rule 6-3-13 ).
For Team B personal fouls during a legal forward pass play (Rule 7-3-12 and Rule 10-2-2-e ): Enforcement is at the end of the last run when it ends beyond the neutral zone and there is no change of team possession during the down. If the pass is incomplete or intercepted, or if there is a change of team possession during the down, the penalty is enforced at the previous spot.

Article 1 - Flagrant Fouls

Article 2 - Striking Fouls and Tripping

a. No person subject to the rules shall strike an opponent with the knee; strike an opponent’s helmet (including the face mask), neck, face or any other part of the body with an extended forearm, elbow, palm, fist, or the heel, back or side of the open hand; or gouge an opponent (A.R. 9-1-2-I).
b. No person subject to the rules shall strike an opponent with their foot or any part of their leg that is below the knee.
c. There shall be no tripping. Tripping is intentionally using the lower leg or foot to obstruct an opponent below the knee. (Rule 2-28 )

Article 3 - Targeting and Making Forcible Contact With the Crown of the Helmet

Article 4 - Targeting and Making Forcible Contact to Head or Neck Area of a Defenseless Player

No player shall target and make forcible contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent (See Note 2 below) with the helmet, forearm, hand, fist, elbow or shoulder. This foul requires that there be at least one indicator of targeting (See Note 1 below). When in question, it is a foul (Rule 2-27-14
and Rule 9-6). (A.R. 9-1-4-I-VI)
Note 1: “Targeting” means that a player takes aim at an opponent for purposes of attacking with forcible contact that goes beyond making a legal tackle or a legal block or playing the ball. Some indicators of targeting include but are not limited to:
• Launch. A player leaving their feet to attack an opponent by an upward and forward thrust of the body to make forcible contact in the head or neck area.
• A crouch followed by an upward and forward thrust to attack with forcible contact at the head or neck area, even though one or both feet are still on the ground.
• Leading with helmet, shoulder, forearm, fist, hand or elbow to attack with forcible contact at the head or neck area.
• Lowering the head before attacking by initiating forcible contact with the crown of the helmet.
Note 2: Defenseless player (Rule 2-27-14
). When in question, a player is defenseless. Examples of defenseless players include but are not limited to:
• A player in the act of or just after throwing a pass. This includes an offensive player in a passing posture with focus downfield.
• A receiver attempting to catch a forward pass or in position to receive a backward pass, or one who has completed a catch and has not had time to protect themselves or has not clearly become a ball carrier.
• A kicker in the act of or just after kicking a ball, or during the kick or the return.
• A kick returner attempting to catch or recover a kick, or one who has completed a catch or recovery and has not had time to protect themselves or has not clearly become a ball carrier.
• A player on the ground.
• A player obviously out of the play.
• A player who receives a blind-side block.
• A ball carrier already in the grasp of an opponent and whose forward progress has been stopped.
• A quarterback any time after a change of possession
• A ball carrier who has obviously given themselves up and is sliding feet-first.
PENALTY—[ARTICLE 3 and ARTICLE 4]—15 yards. For dead-ball fouls, 15 yards from the succeeding spot. Automatic first down for fouls by Team B if not in conflict with other rules. For fouls in the first half: Disqualification for the remainder of the game (See Rule 2-27-12). For fouls in the second half: Disqualification for the remainder of the game and the first half of the next game. If the foul occurs in the second half of the last game of the season, players with remaining eligibility shall serve the suspension during the postseason or the first game of the following season.
If a player receives a third Targeting foul within the same season, disqualification for the remainder of the game and that player will receive an automatic one-game suspension in their team’s next scheduled game. Targeting fouls subsequent to the player’s third Targeting foul within the same season, disqualification for the remainder of that game and the player will receive an automatic one-game suspension in their team’s next scheduled game. If the foul occurs in the last game of the season, players with remaining eligibility shall serve the suspension during the postseason or the first game of the following season.
The disqualification must be reviewed by Instant Replay (Rule 12-3-5
). [S38, S24 and S47] When the Instant Replay Official overturns the disqualification:
If the targeting foul is not in conjunction with another personal foul by the same player, the 15-yard penalty for targeting is not enforced. If the player commits another
personal foul in conjunction with the targeting foul, the 15-yard penalty for that personal foul is enforced according to rule. (A. R. 9-1-4-VII-VIII)
For games in which Instant Replay is used:
If a player is disqualified in the second half, the conference has the option to consult the national coordinator of football officials who would then facilitate a video review. Based on the review, if and only if the national coordinator concludes that it is clearly obvious the player should not have been disqualified, the suspension will be vacated. If the national coordinator supports the disqualification, the suspension for the next game will remain.
For games in which Instant Replay is not used:
If a player is disqualified in the first half, at the option of the conference or by pre-game mutual agreement of the teams in inter-conference games, during the intermission between halves the Referee will be provided a video of the play in question for their review in the officials’ private secure location. The Referee will review the video to determine whether the disqualification is overturned. The decision of the Referee is final. (A. R. 9-1-4-IX)
Note: The video source and the location of the review will be determined prior to the game through mutual agreement of the teams and the Referee.
If a player is disqualified in the second half, the conference has the option to consult the national coordinator of football officials who would then facilitate a video review. Based on the review, if and only if the national coordinator concludes that the player should not have been disqualified, the suspension will be vacated. If the national coordinator supports the disqualification, the suspension for the next game will remain.

Article 5 - Clipping

There shall be no clipping (Rule 2-5 ).
Exceptions:
1. Offensive players who are on the line of scrimmage at the snap within the blocking zone (Rule 2-3-6 ) legally may clip in the blocking zone, subject to the following restrictions:.
(a) A player in the blocking zone may not block an opponent with the force of the initial contact from behind and at or below the knee.
(b) A player on the line of scrimmage within the blocking zone may not leave the zone and return and legally clip.
(c) No player may violate Rule 9-1-6 (Blocking Below the Waist).
Note: The blocking zone disintegrates when the ball leaves the zone (Rule 2-3-6 ).
2. When a player turns their back to a potential blocker who has committed themself in intent and direction or movement.
3. When a player attempts to reach a runner or attempts to legally recover or catch a fumble, a backward pass, a kick or a touched forward pass, that player may push an opponent below the waist at or to the buttocks (Rule 9-3-5 , Exception 3).
4. When an eligible player behind the neutral zone pushes an opponent below the waist at or to the buttocks to get to a forward pass (Rule 9-3-5 , Exception 5).
5. Clipping is allowed against the runner.

Article 6 - Blocking Below the Waist

a. Team A prior to a change of team possession:
1. Linemen with initial position completely inside the tackle box may legally block below the waist inside the tackle box on their initial line charge. A block initiated 1-yard beyond the neutral zone is considered within the tackle box. After the initial line charge, these linemen may block below the waist within the tackle box until the ball leaves the tackle box only if the force of the initial contact is directed from the front.
2. Stationary Backs lined up with any part of their body inside the tackle box may block below the waist within the tackle box until the ball leaves the tackle box only if the force of the initial contact is directed from the front. “Directed from the front” is defined as within the clock face region between “10 o’clock and 2 o’clock” forward of the area of concentration of the player being blocked.
3. All other Team A players are not allowed to block below the waist.
b. Team B prior to a change of team possession:
1. Players aligned in a stationary position within 1-yard of the line of scrimmage within the tackle box may legally block below the waist in the tackle box on their initial line charge.
2. All other Team B players are not allowed to block below the waist except against a runner.
c. Kicks.
During a down in which there is a free kick or scrimmage kick, blocking below the waist by any player is illegal except against a ball carrier.
d. After change of team possession.
After any change of team possession, blocking below the waist by any player is illegal except against a ball carrier.
e. Clipping. No player may violate Rule 9-1-5
(Clipping).

Article 7 - Late Hit, Action Out of Bounds

a. There shall be no piling on, falling on or throwing the body on an opponent after the ball becomes dead (A.R. 9-1-7-I).
b. No opponent shall tackle or block the runner when the runner is clearly out of bounds or throw the runner to the ground after the ball becomes dead.
c. It is illegal for any player to be clearly out of bounds when initiating a block against an opponent who is out of bounds. The spot of the foul is where the blocker crosses the sideline in going out of bounds.

Article 8 - Helmet and Face Mask Fouls

a. No player shall continuously contact an opponent’s face, helmet (including the face mask) or neck with hand(s) or arm(s) (Exception: By or against the runner). [S26] b. No player shall grasp and then twist, turn or pull the face mask, chin strap or any helmet opening of an opponent. It is not a foul if the face mask, chin strap or helmet opening is not grasped and then twisted, turned or pulled. When in question, it is a foul.

Article 9 - Roughing the Passer

a. No defensive player shall unnecessarily rough a passer, when it is obvious the ball has been thrown. The following actions are illegal, but not limited to:
1. Targeting fouls as noted in Rule 9-1-3 and 4
2. Forcible contact to the head or neck area that does not meet the requirements of Rule 9-1-4 (also reference Rule 9-1-2 ).
3. Forcible contact that is avoidable after it is obvious the ball has left the passer’s hand. (Exception: A defensive player who is blocked by a Team A player[s] with a force so that they have no opportunity to avoid contact with the passer. However, this does not relieve the defensive player of responsibility for personal fouls as described in elsewhere in this section.).
4. Forcibly driving the passer to the ground and landing on the passer with action that punishes the player.
5. Any action that is a personal foul as described elsewhere in this section.
b. When an offensive player is in a passing posture with one or both feet on the ground, no defensive player rushing unabated shall hit the player forcibly at the knee area or below. The defensive player also may not initiate a roll or lunge and forcibly hit this opponent in the knee area or below.
[Exceptions: (1) It is not a foul if the offensive player is a runner not in a passing posture, either inside or outside the tackle box.
(2) It is not a foul if the defender grabs or wraps this opponent in an attempt to make a conventional tackle without making forcible contact with the head or shoulder.
(3) It is not a foul if the defender is not rushing unabated or is blocked or fouled into this opponent.] For paragraphs a and b, the penalty is added to the end of the last run when it ends beyond the neutral zone and there is no change of team possession during the down. (A.R. 9-1-9-II-III)

Article 10 - Chop Blocking

Article 11 - Leverage and Leaping

a. No defensive player, in an attempt to gain an advantage, may step, jump or stand on an opponent.
b. It is a foul if a defensive player moves forward and tries to block a kick or apparent kick on a field goal or try by leaving their feet and leaping into the plane directly above the frame of the body of an opponent. It is not a foul if the player was aligned in a stationary position within one yard of the line of scrimmage when the ball was snapped.
c. It is a foul if a defensive player who is inside the tackle box tries to block a punt or an apparent punt by leaving their feet and leaping into the plane directly above the frame of the body of an opponent.
1. It is not a foul if the player tries to block the punt by jumping straight up without attempting to leap over the opponent.
2. It is not a foul if a player leaps through or over the gap between players.
d. No defensive player, in an attempt to block, bat or catch a kick or apparent kick, may:
1. Step, jump or stand on a teammate.
2. Place a hand(s) on a teammate to get leverage for additional height.
3. Be picked up by a teammate, or be elevated, propelled or pushed.
PENALTY [a-d]—15 yards, previous spot and automatic first down. [S38]
FR-98 RULE 9 / Conduct of Players and Others
e. No player may position themselves with their feet on the back or shoulders of a teammate before the snap.
PENALTY—Dead-ball foul. 15 yards from the succeeding spot. Automatic first down for fouls by Team B if not in conflict with other rules [S27].

Article 12 - Contact Against an Opponent Out of the Play

a. No player shall tackle or run into a receiver when a forward pass to that receiver is obviously not catchable. This is a personal foul and not pass interference.
b. No player shall run into or throw themselves against an opponent obviously out of the play either before or after the ball is dead.

Article 13 - Hurdling

Article 14 - Contact Against the Snapper

Article 15 - Horse-Collar Tackle

Article 16 - Roughing or Running Into Kicker or Holder

a. When it is obvious that a scrimmage kick will be made, no opponent shall run into or rough the kicker or the holder of a place kick (A.R. 9-1-16-I, III and VI).
1. Roughing is a live-ball personal foul that endangers the kicker or holder.
2. Running into the kicker or holder is a live-ball foul that occurs when the kicker or holder is displaced from their kicking or holding position but is not roughed (A.R. 9-1-16-II).
3. Incidental contact with a kicker or holder is not a foul.
4. The kicker’s protection under this rule ends (a) when the kicker has had a reasonable time to regain their balance (A.R. 9-1-16-IV); (b) when the kicker carries or possesses the ball outside the tackle box (Rule 2-34 ) before kicking; or (c) when the kicker carries or possesses the ball more than five yards behind the kicker’s initial position at the snap from scrimmage kick formation.
5. When a defensive player’s contact against the kicker or holder is caused by an opponent’s block (legal or illegal), there is no foul for running into or roughing.
6. A player who makes contact with the kicker or holder after touching the kick is not charged with running into or roughing the kicker.
7. When a player other than one who blocks a scrimmage kick runs into or roughs the kicker or holder, it is a foul.
8. When in question whether the foul is running into or roughing, the foul is roughing.
PENALTY—Roughing or any other personal foul against the kicker who is in the act or just after kicking the ball; or roughing the holder: 15 yards from the previous spot, plus automatic first down if not in conflict with other rules [S38 and S30]. Running into the kicker or holder: 5 yards from the previous spot [S30].
b. A kicker or holder simulating being roughed or run into by a defensive player commits an unsportsmanlike act (A.R. 9-1-16-V).
PENALTY—15 yards from the previous spot or, if the scrimmage kick crosses the neutral zone, can be enforced where the subsequent dead ball belongs to Team B [S27].
c. The kicker of a free kick may not be blocked until they have advanced five yards beyond their restraining line, or until the ball has touched a player, an official or the ground.
PENALTY—15 yards from the previous spot [S40].

Article 17 - Continued Participation Without Helmet

Article 18 - Blind-Side Block

SECTION 2. UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT FOULS

Article 1 - Unsportsmanlike Acts

There shall be no unsportsmanlike conduct or any act that interferes with orderly game administration on the part of players, substitutes, coaches, authorized attendants or any other persons subject to the rules, before the game, during the game or between periods. Infractions for these acts by players are administered as either live-ball or dead-ball fouls depending on when they occur. (A.R. 9-2-1-I-X)
a. Specifically prohibited acts and conduct include:
1. No player, substitute, coach or other person subject to the rules shall use abusive, threatening or obscene language or gestures, or engage in such acts that provoke ill will or are demeaning to an opponent, to game officials or to the image of the game, including but not limited to:
(a) Pointing the finger(s), hand(s), arm(s) or ball at an opponent, or imitating the slashing of the throat.
(b) Taunting, baiting or ridiculing an opponent verbally.
(c) Inciting an opponent or spectators in any other way, such as simulating the firing of a weapon or placing a hand by the ear to request recognition.
(d) Any delayed, excessive, prolonged or choreographed act by which a player (or players) attempts to focus attention upon themself (or themselves).
(e) An unopposed ball carrier obviously altering stride when approaching the opponent’s goal line or diving into the end zone.
(f) A player removing their helmet after the ball is dead and before they are in the team area (Exceptions: Team, media or injury timeouts; equipment adjustment; through play; between periods; and during a measurement for a first down).
(g) Punching one’s own chest or crossing one’s arms in front of the chest while standing over a prone player.
(h) Going into the stands to interact with spectators, or bowing at the waist after a good play.
(i) Intentionally removing the helmet while the ball is alive.
(j) Dead-ball contact fouls such as pushing, shoving, striking, etc. that occur clearly after the ball is dead and that are not part of the game action. (A.R. 9-2-1-X)
(k) After the ball is dead, using forcible contact to push or pull an opponent off the pile. (A.R. 9-2-1-XI)
PENALTY—Unsportsmanlike conduct. Live-ball fouls by players: 15 yards [S27]. Live-ball fouls by non-players and all dead-ball fouls: 15 yards from succeeding spot [S7 and S27]. Automatic first down for live-ball and dead-ball fouls by Team B if not in conflict with other rules. Flagrant offenders, if players or substitutes, shall be ejected [S47]. For Team A fouls during free or scrimmage kick plays:
Enforcement may be at the previous spot or, if the scrimmage
kick crosses the neutral zone, the spot where the subsequent
dead ball belongs to Team B (field-goal plays exempted) (Rules
6-1-8 and 6-3-13).
For Team B unsportsmanlike conduct fouls during a legal
forward pass play (Rules 7-3-12 and 10-2-2-e): Enforcement is
at the end of the last run when it ends beyond the neutral zone
and there is no change of team possession during the down. If
the pass is incomplete or intercepted, or if there is a change of
team possession during the down, the penalty is enforced at the
previous spot.
For Team A fouls during free or scrimmage kick plays: Enforcement may be at the previous spot or, if the scrimmage kick crosses the neutral zone, the spot where the subsequent dead ball belongs to Team B (field-goal plays exempted) (Rule 6-1-8
and Rule 6-3-13
). For Team B unsportsmanlike conduct fouls during a legal forward pass play (Rule 7-3-12
and Rule 10-2-2-e
): Enforcement is at the end of the last run when it ends beyond the neutral zone and there is no change of team possession during the down. If
the pass is incomplete or intercepted, or if there is a change of team possession during the down, the penalty is enforced at the previous spot.
2. After a score or any other play, the player in possession immediately must return the ball to an official or leave it near the dead-ball spot. This prohibits:
(a) Kicking, throwing, spinning or carrying (including off of the field) the ball any distance that requires an official to retrieve it.
(b) Spiking the ball to the ground [Exception: A forward pass to conserve time (Rule 7-3-2-f
)].
(c) Throwing the ball high into the air.
(d) Any other unsportsmanlike act or actions that delay the game.
PENALTY—Unsportsmanlike conduct. Dead-ball foul. 15 yards from the succeeding spot [S7 and S27]. Automatic first down for fouls by Team B if not in conflict with other rules. Flagrant offenders, if players or substitutes, shall be ejected [S47].
b. Other prohibited acts include:
1. During the game, coaches, squad members, and authorized attendants in the team area may not be on the field of play or outside the 20-yard lines to protest an officiating decision or to communicate with players or officials without permission from the referee. (Exceptions:  1-2-4-f,  3-3-4-d, 3-3-9-b,  3-5-1).
2. No ejected person shall be in view of the field of play (Rule 9-2-6 ).
3. No person or mascot subject to the rules, except players, officials and eligible substitutes, shall be on the field of play or end zones during any period without permission from the referee. If a player is injured, attendants may come inbounds to attend him, but they must obtain recognition from an official.
4. No substitute(s) may enter the field of play or end zones for purposes other than replacing a player(s) or to fill a player vacancy(ies). This includes demonstrations after any play (A.R. 9-2-1-I).
5. Persons subject to the rules, including bands and audio/video/lighting systems operators, shall not create any noise or distraction that prohibits a team from hearing its signals or obstructs play (Rule 1-1-6
).
PENALTY [1-4]—Unsportsmanlike conduct. Dead-ball foul. 15 yards from the succeeding spot [S7 and S27]. Automatic first down for fouls by Team B if not in conflict with other rules. Flagrant offenders, if players or substitutes, shall be ejected [S47].
PENALTY [5]—Unsportsmanlike conduct. The referee may take any action they consider equitable, which includes directing that the down be repeated, including assessing a 15-yard penalty, awarding a score, or suspending or forfeiting the game [S27].

Article 2 - Unfair Tactics

a. No player shall conceal the ball in or beneath their clothing or equipment or substitute any other article for the ball.
b. No simulated replacements or substitutions may be used to confuse opponents. No tactic associated with substitutes or the substitution process may be used to confuse opponents (Rule 3-5-2-e ) (A.R. 9-2-2-I-VI). This includes any hideout tactic with or without a substitution.
c. No equipment may be used to confuse opponents (Rule 1-4-2-d).
d. Two players playing the same position may not wear the same number during the game.
PENALTY [a-d]— Team unsportsmanlike conduct. Live-ball foul. 15 yards from the previous spot [S27]. Automatic first down for fouls by Team B if not in conflict with other rules. Flagrant offenders shall be ejected [S47].
e. No more than two Squad Members may be assigned or wear the same jersey number.
PENALTY—Unsportsmanlike Conduct charged against the Head Coach and the players must immediately correct the numbering and report the change. Administer as a dead ball foul - 15 yards [S27].
f. No player may play with cleats more than 1/2-inch in length (Rule 1-4-7-d).
PENALTY—Ejection for the remainder of the game and the team’s next game [S27 and S47]. Administer as a dead-ball foul; 15-yard penalty enforced at the succeeding spot. Automatic first down for fouls by Team B if not in conflict with other rules. Team timeout. VIOLATION— Rule 3-3-7 and Rule 3-4-2-b
[S23, S3 or S21]. If the ejection occurs during the last game of a season, players with eligibility remaining will serve the next-game ejection during the first game of the next season for which they are eligible.
g. The referee will notify (in writing) their assigning agent of all ejections for illegal cleats. The assigning agency becomes responsible for implementation of the penalty.

Article 3 - Unfair Acts

The following are unfair acts:
a. A team refuses to play within two minutes after ordered to do so by the referee.
b. A team repeatedly commits fouls for which penalties can be enforced only by halving the distance to its goal line.
c. An obviously unfair act not specifically covered by the rules occurs during the game. This includes substitutes, coaches or any other persons subject to the rules, other than a player or official, interfering in any way with the ball or a player while the ball is in play (A.R. 4-2-1-II, 9-2-3-I and 9-2-3-IV).
PENALTY— Unsportsmanlike conduct. The referee may take any action they consider equitable, which includes directing that the down be repeated, including assessing a 15-yard penalty, awarding a score, or suspending or forfeiting the game [S27].

Article 4 - Contacting an Official

Persons subject to the rules (Rule 1-1-6 ) shall not intentionally contact a game official forcibly during the game.
PENALTY— Unsportsmanlike conduct. Administer as a dead-ball foul. 15 yards from the succeeding spot and automatic ejection. Automatic first down for fouls by Team B if not in conflict with other rules. [S7, S27 and S47].

Article 5 - Game Administration and Sideline Interference

While the ball is alive and during the continuing action after the ball has been declared dead:
a. Coaches, substitutes and authorized attendants in the team area must be behind the coaching line.
PENALTY—Administer as a dead-ball foul. First infraction: Warning for sideline interference. No yardage penalty. [S15] Second and third infractions: Delay of game for sideline interference, five yards from the succeeding spot. [S21 and S29] Fourth and subsequent infractions: Team unsportsmanlike conduct for sideline interference, 15 yards from the succeeding spot. Automatic first down for fouls by Team B if not in conflict with other rules. [S27 and S29]
b. Physical interference with an official is a foul charged to the team for unsportsmanlike conduct. (A.R. 9-2-5-I)
PENALTY—Team unsportsmanlike conduct. Administer as a dead-ball foul. 15 yards from the succeeding spot. Automatic first down for fouls by Team B if not in conflict with other rules.[S27]

Article 6 - Ejected Players and Coaches

a. Any coach, player or identified squad member in uniform who commits two unsportsmanlike conduct fouls in the same game shall be ejected.
b. A player ejected from the game (Rule 2-27-12 ) must leave the playing enclosure under team supervision within a reasonable amount of time after their ejection. The player must remain out of view of the field of play under team supervision for the remainder of the game.
c. A player serving a first-half suspension due to their ejection in the team’s previous game may participate in pre-game warm-up activities. During the first half that player must remain out of view of the field of play under team supervision.
d. A coach ejected from the game must leave the playing enclosure within a reasonable amount of time after the ejection and must remain out of view of the field of play for the remainder of the game.
e. A head coach ejected from the game may designate a new head coach.

Article 7 - Use of Tobacco

Players, squad members and game personnel (e.g., coaches, athletics trainers, managers and game officials) are prohibited from using tobacco products from the time the officials assume jurisdiction until the referee declares the game over.
PENALTY—Ejection. Dead-ball foul. 15 yards at the succeeding spot [S27 and S47].

SECTION 3. BLOCKING, USE OF HANDS OR ARMS

Article 1 - Who May Block

Article 2 - Interfering for or Helping the Ball Carrier or Passer

a. The ball carrier or passer may use their hand or arm to ward off or push opponents. 
b. The ball carrier shall not grasp a teammate; and no other teammate shall grasp, pull, or lift the ball carrier to assist in forward progress. (A.R. 9-3-2-I)
c. Teammates of the ball carrier or passer may interfere with opponents by blocking but shall not use interlocked interference by grasping or encircling one another in any manner while contacting an opponent.
PENALTY—Five yards [S44].

Article 3 - Holding and Use of Hands or Arms: Offense

a. Use of Hands. A teammate of a ball carrier or a passer legally may block with their shoulders, their hands, the outer surface of their arms or any other part of their body under the following provisions.
1. The hand(s) shall be:
(a) In advance of the elbow.
(b) Inside the frame of the opponent’s body (Exception: When the opponent turns their back to the blocker) (A.R. 9-3-3-VI and VII).
(c) At or below the shoulder(s) of the blocker and the opponent
(Exception: When the opponent squats, ducks or submarines).
(d) Apart and never in a locked position.
2. The hand(s) shall be open with the palm(s) facing the frame of the opponent or closed or cupped with the palms not facing the opponent (A.R. 9-3-3-I-IV and VI-VIII).
b. Holding. The hand(s) and arm(s) shall not be used to grasp, pull, hook, clamp or encircle in any way that illegally impedes or illegally obstructs an opponent.
PENALTY—10 yards Penalties for Team A fouls behind the neutral zone are enforced from the previous spot. Safety if the foul occurs behind Team A’s goal line [S42].
c. Kicking Team. A player on the kicking team may:
1. During a scrimmage kick play, use their hand(s) and/or arm(s) to ward off an opponent attempting to block them when they are beyond the neutral zone.
2. During a free kick play, use their hand(s) and/or arm(s) to ward off an opponent who is attempting to block them.
3. During a scrimmage kick play or a free kick play, when they are eligible to touch the ball, legally use their hand(s) and/or arm(s) to push an opponent in an attempt to reach a loose ball.
d. Passing Team. An eligible player of the passing team legally may use their hand(s) and/or arm(s) to ward off or push an opponent in an attempt to reach a loose ball after a legal forward pass has been touched by any player or official (Rule 7-3-5 , Rule 7-3-8 , Rule 7-3-9 and Rule 7-3-11 ).

Article 4 - Holding and Use of Hands or Arms: Defense

a. Defensive players may use hands and arms to push, pull, ward off or lift offensive players:
1. When attempting to reach the runner.
2. Who are obviously attempting to block them.
b. A defensive player legally may use their hands or arms to ward off or block an opponent in an attempt to reach a loose ball (Rule 9-1-5 , Exceptions 3 and 4 and Rule 9-3-5 , Exceptions 3 and 5):
1. During a backward pass, fumble or kick that they are eligible to touch.
2. During any forward pass that crossed the neutral zone and has been touched by any player or official.
c. When making no attempt to get at the ball or the runner, defensive players must comply with Article 3, paragraphs a and b above.
d. Defensive players may not use hands and arms to tackle, hold or otherwise illegally obstruct an opponent other than a runner.
e. Defensive players may ward off or legally block an eligible pass receiver until that player occupies the same yard line as the defender or until the opponent could not possibly block him. Continuous contact is illegal (A.R. 9-3-4-I).
PENALTY [c-e]—10 yards plus automatic first down if the first down is not in conflict with other rules [S42].

Article 5 - Blocking in the Back

A block in the back (other than against the ball carrier) is illegal (A.R. 9-3-3-I, VII and -IX; and A.R. 10-2-2-XII).
Exceptions:
1. Offensive players who are on the line of scrimmage at the snap within the blocking zone (Rule 2-3-6 ) may legally block in the back in the blocking zone, subject to the following restrictions:
(a) A player on the line of scrimmage within this blocking zone may not leave the zone, return and block in the back.
(b) The blocking zone disintegrates when the ball leaves the zone (Rule 2-3-6 ).
2. When a player turns their back to a potential blocker who has committed themselves in intent and direction or movement.
3. When a player attempts to reach a runner or legally attempts to recover or catch a fumble, a backward pass, a kick or a touched forward pass, they may push an opponent in the back above the waist (Rule 9-1-5 Exception 3).
4. When the opponent turns their back to the blocker under Rule 9-3-3-a-1-b .
5. When an eligible player behind the neutral zone pushes an opponent in the back above the waist to get to a forward pass (Rule 9-1-5 Exception 4).
PENALTY—10 yards. Penalties for Team A fouls behind the neutral zone are enforced from the previous spot. Safety if the foul occurs behind Team A’s goal line. [S43].

SECTION 4. Bat BATTING AND KICKING

Article 1 - Batting a Loose Ball

a. While a pass is in flight, only a player who is eligible to touch the ball may bat it in any direction (Exception: Rule 9-4-2 ).
b. Any player may block a scrimmage kick in the field of play or the end zone.
c. No player shall bat other loose balls forward in the field of play or in any direction if the ball is in the end zone (Rule 2-2-3-a ) (Exception: Rule 6-3-11 ) (A.R. 6-3-11-I, A.R. 9-4-1-I-X and A.R. 10-2-2-II).
PENALTY—10 yards and loss of down for fouls by Team A if the loss of down is not in conflict with other rules [S31 and S9]
[Exception: No loss of down if the foul occurs when a legal scrimmage kick is beyond the neutral zone].

Article 2 - Batting a Backward Pass in Flight

A backward pass in flight shall not be batted forward by the passing team.
PENALTY—10 yards [S31].

Article 3 - Batting Ball in Possession

A ball in player possession may not be batted forward by a player of that team.
PENALTY—10 yards [S31].

Article 4 - Illegally Kicking Ball

A player shall not kick a loose ball, a forward pass or a ball being held for a place kick by an opponent. These illegal acts do not change the status of the loose ball or forward pass; but if the player holding the ball for a place kick loses possession during a scrimmage down, it is a fumble and a loose ball; if during a free kick, the ball remains dead (A.R. 8-7-2-IV and A.R. 9-4-1-XI).
PENALTY—10 yards, plus loss of down for fouls by Team A if the loss of down is not in conflict with other rules [S31 and S9]
(Exception: No loss of down if the foul occurs when a legal scrimmage kick is beyond the neutral zone).

SECTION 5. Fighting

Article 1

a. Before the game, squad members in uniform or coaches shall not participate in a fight (Rule 2-32-1 ). During the first half, players shall not participate in a fight.
PENALTY—15 yards. For dead-ball fouls, 15 yards from the succeeding spot. Automatic first down for Team B fouls if not in conflict with other rules. Ejection for the remainder of the game [S7, S27 or S38, and S47].
b. During the half-time intermission, squad members in uniform or coaches shall not participate in a fight. During the second half, players shall not participate in a fight.
PENALTY—15 yards. For dead-ball fouls, 15 yards from the succeeding spot. Automatic first down for Team B fouls if not in conflict with other rules. Ejection for the remainder of the game and the first half of the next game [S7, S27 or S38, and S47]. For fighting in the last game of a season, those with remaining eligibility shall serve suspensions during the first game of the next season for which they are eligible.
c. During either half, coaches or substitutes shall not leave their team area to participate in a fight, nor shall they participate in a fight in their team area.
PENALTY—15 yards from the succeeding spot. Automatic first down for Team B fouls if not in conflict with other rules. Ejection for the remainder of the game and the first half of the next game [S7, S27 or S38, and S47]. For fighting in the last game of a season, those with remaining eligibility shall serve suspensions during the first game of the next season for which they are eligible.

Article 2

a. If the squad member, coach or player is ejected for fighting a second time during that season, they shall be ejected from that game and suspended for the remainder of the season.
b. If a second fighting suspension occurs in the final game of a season, they shall be suspended for the first game of the next season for which they are eligible. This suspension is considered to be the first fight of that season.

Article 3

SECTION 6. FLAGRANT PERSONAL FOULS

Article 1 - Player Ejection

Article 2 - Foul Not Called