Football nfl - game rules

What are the NFL overtime rules in the playoffs? Here are the postseason overtime rules: Each overtime period will be 15 minutes. There is no limit for overtime periods and there is no halftime period. There is a kickoff before the third overtime period.

The same timing rules that apply at the end of the second and fourth regulation periods also apply at the end of a second and fourth overtime period. If there is still no winner at the end of a fourth overtime period, there is another coin toss, and play continues until there is a winner. What is a catch? There are three main requirements for completing a catch. The player must: Have control of the ball Get two feet or another body part down other than his hands Make a football move, such as a third step, reaching or extending the ball forward, or having the ability to perform such an act A player does not have to maintain control the ball through contact with the ground if he makes a football move, and movement of the ball does not automatically result in loss of control.

What is the instant replay process? Coaches' Challenges Each team has two challenges per game, each of which requires the use of a timeout. Which plays can a team challenge? A team may use a challenge to review these situations: Possession Plays involving touching of either the ball or the ground Goal line plays Plays at the sidelines, line of scrimmage and line to gain Number of players on the field at the snap, even when a foul is not called Game administration: Penalty enforcement Proper down Spot of a foul Status of the game clock Disqualification of a player Which plays are not reviewable?

Which plays are automatically reviewed? What penalties result in a loss of 5 yards? When is the play clock set to 40 seconds? When is the play clock set to 25 seconds? The play clock is set to 25 seconds after certain administrative stoppages, including: Change of possession Charged timeout Two-minute warning End of a quarter Penalty enforcement Extra-point of two-point conversion attempt Punt The Referee can reset the play clock to 25 seconds by pumping one hand vertically.

When does a second runoff occur? A second runoff occurs when a team commits any of these acts after the two-minute warning with the clock running: An offensive foul that prevents the snap e. When is a player automatically ejected? A player is automatically disqualified if they are penalized twice in the same game for: Throwing a punch, forearm, or kicking at an opponent, even if no contact is made.

Using abusive, threatening, or insulting language or gestures. Using baiting or taunting acts or words. What is unsportsmanlike conduct? Some examples include: Throwing a punch, forearm, or kicking at an opponent, even if no contact is made. Any violent, sexually suggestive or offensive act. Excessive celebration. Unnecessary physical contact with an official.

Using any object as a prop or possessing a foreign object on the field or the sideline during the game. Removal of helmet by a player on the field or the end zone during a celebration or confrontation with an official or other player. The officiating standards for the Use of Helmet rule are: Lowering the head not to include bracing for contact Initiating contact with the helmet to any part of an opponent.

What is intentional grounding? What is an illegal forward pass? Other examples of an illegal forward pass include: A second forward pass thrown from behind the line of scrimmage A forward pass thrown after the ball has crossed the line of scrimmage and has returned behind it A forward pass thrown after a change of possession What is the penalty for an illegal forward pass?

If he does not come to a complete stop prior to the snap, it is a False Start. Eligible Receiver. If all 11 offensive players have been set for at least one full second, and an eligible receiver who is on the line of scrimmage moves forward, it is a False Start, regardless of whether the action is quick and abrupt or slow and deliberate.

If an eligible receiver who is on the line of scrimmage moves backward immediately prior to the snap and does not come to a complete stop before the snap, it is a False Start. Any eligible receiver is permitted to change from a two-point stance to a three-point stance, or from a three-point stance to a two-point stance, provided he comes to a complete stop prior to the snap.

If he does not come to a complete stop, it is a False Start. Player Under Center. It is legal for a player who has taken a position under or behind the center to go in motion, whether he has placed his hands under center, on his knees, or on the body of the center. However, it is a False Start, if the action is quick and abrupt. If the player fails to come to a complete stop for at least one full second prior to the ball being snapped, it is Illegal Motion.

Shotgun Formation. A player who is in position to receive the snap in shotgun formation is permitted to shift his feet prior to the snap, but any quick and abrupt movement is a False Start. This includes thrusting his hands forward when there is not a simultaneous snap. Attempt to Draw Offside. Any obvious attempt by the quarterback or other player in position to receive the snap to draw an opponent offside is a False Start.

Offense Not Set. With the game clock running after the two-minute warning of either half, if all 11 offensive players are not set simultaneously for one full second prior to the snap, it is a False Start. Penalty: For a False Start: Loss of five yards from the line of scrimmage.

The foul is enforced prior to the snap. Note: The official shall blow the whistle immediately. The penalty for a False Start shall be enforced regardless of whether the snap is made or there is a reaction by the defense.

It is Encroachment if a defensive player enters the neutral zone and contacts an offensive player or the ball prior to the snap, or if he interferes with the ball during the snap. The play is dead immediately. Penalty: For Encroachment: Loss of five yards from the line of scrimmage. Note: During the last two minutes of a half, after the ball has been spotted for the succeeding down at the line of scrimmage and the offense is legally set, if the ball is snapped before all members of the defensive team are on their side of the line of scrimmage, play shall be stopped immediately, and the defensive team penalized five yards for a neutral zone infraction.

Foul is enforced prior to snap. A player is offside when any part of his body is in or beyond the neutral zone or beyond a restraining line when the ball is put in play. All offensive players are required to come to a complete stop and be in a set position simultaneously for at least one full second prior to the snap.

Failure to do so is an Illegal Shift. See Item 6 for such a foul after the two-minute warning of either half. The offensive team is permitted to shift and have two or more players in motion multiple times before the snap. However, after the last shift, all players must come to a complete stop and be in a set position simultaneously for at least one full second. If any eligible backfield player goes in motion one at a time after the last shift and comes to a complete stop, there is no requirement for a full second pause before a second player can legally go in motion.

However, if the first player has not come to a complete stop when the second player goes in motion, it is another shift and requires another simultaneous stop for at least one full second by all players. It is also an illegal shift if a player under or behind center goes in motion and fails to come to a complete stop for at least one full second before a second player goes in motion. Note: The offensive team must present a legal formation both before and after a shift.

Penalty: For an illegal shift: Loss of five yards. When the ball is snapped, one player who is lined up in the backfield may be in motion, provided that he is moving parallel to or away from the line of scrimmage. No player is permitted to be moving toward the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. All other players must be stationary in their positions.

If an eligible receiver who is on the line moves to another position on the line not forward , he must come to a complete stop prior to the snap. If he does not come to a complete stop, it is Illegal Motion. It is also Illegal Motion if a player under or behind center goes in motion and fails to come to a complete stop for at least one full second prior to the snap.

Note: Offensive linemen may lock legs. The offensive team must put the ball in play with a snap at the spot where the previous down ended, unless the enforcement of a penalty moves the ball to another spot or the down ended outside the inbounds lines.

If a fair-catch kick is chosen after a fair catch, and apply. The ball is next put in play snap at the inbounds spot by the team entitled to possession and when:. The snap may be made by any offensive player who is on the line of scrimmage but must conform to the following provisions:. Penalty: For illegally snapping the ball: Loss of five yards from the line of scrimmage. A snap is a backward pass. The snap must be received by a player who is not on the line at the snap, unless the ball first strikes the ground.

If the ball first strikes the ground, or is muffed by an eligible backfield receiver, or quarterback under center, it can be recovered and advanced by any player.

Penalty: For snapping the ball to an ineligible snap receiver: Loss of five yards from the line of scrimmage. The whistle shall be blown immediately. Note: A ball that is intentionally fumbled and goes forward is a forward pass.

A ball that is intentionally muffed, and goes forward or backward, is a batted ball Note. When a player is in control of the ball and is attempting to pass it forward, any intentional forward movement of his hand starts a forward pass.

The offensive team may make one forward pass from behind the line during each down. If the ball, whether in player possession or loose, crosses the line of scrimmage, a forward pass is not permissible, regardless of whether the ball returns behind the line of scrimmage before the pass is thrown.

Illegal Passes. Any other forward pass by either team is illegal and is a foul by the passing team, including:. Intercepted Illegal Pass. If an illegal pass is caught or intercepted, the ball may be advanced and the penalty declined.

For a forward pass from beyond the line: Loss of down and five yards from the spot of the pass. See S. For a second forward pass from behind the line, or for a forward pass that was thrown after the ball returned behind the line: Loss of down and five yards from the previous spot. For a forward pass that is thrown after a change of possession: Loss of five yards from the spot of the pass.

A player who makes a catch may advance the ball. A forward pass is complete by the offense or intercepted by the defense in the field of play, at the sideline, or in the end zone if a player, who is inbounds:.

Any forward pass legal or illegal is incomplete and the ball is dead immediately if the pass strikes the ground or goes out of bounds.

An incomplete pass is a loss of down, and the ball returns to the previous spot. Note: If there is any question whether a forward pass is complete, intercepted, or incomplete, it is to be ruled incomplete. The following players are eligible to catch a forward pass that is thrown from behind the line of scrimmage. All offensive players other than those identified in Article 5 above are ineligible to catch a legal or illegal forward pass thrown from behind the line of scrimmage, including:.

A forward pass legal or illegal thrown from behind the line may be touched by any eligible player. A pass in flight may be tipped, batted, or deflected in any direction by any eligible player at any time, including such a pass in the end zone. It is a foul for illegal touching if a forward pass legal or illegal thrown from behind the line of scrimmage:.

It is a foul for intentional grounding if a passer, facing an imminent loss of yardage because of pressure from the defense, throws a forward pass without a realistic chance of completion. A realistic chance of completion is defined as a pass that is thrown in the direction of and lands in the vicinity of an originally eligible offensive receiver.

Passer or Ball Outside Tackle Position. Intentional grounding will not be called when a passer, who is outside, or has been outside, the tackle position, throws a forward pass that lands at or beyond the line of scrimmage, even if no offensive player s have a realistic chance to catch the ball including when the ball lands out of bounds over the sideline or endline. If the ball crosses the line of scrimmage extended beyond the sideline, there is no intentional grounding.

If a loose ball leaves the area bordered by the tackles, this area no longer exists; if the ball is recovered, all intentional grounding rules apply as if the passer is outside this area. Physical Contact. Intentional grounding should not be called if:. Stopping Clock. A player under center is permitted to stop the game clock legally to save time if, immediately upon receiving the snap, he begins a continuous throwing motion and throws the ball directly into the ground.

Delayed Spike. A passer, after delaying his passing action for strategic purposes, is prohibited from throwing the ball to the ground in front of him, even though he is under no pressure from defensive rusher s.

On a scrimmage play during which a legal forward pass is thrown, an ineligible offensive player, including a T-formation quarterback, is not permitted to move more than one yard beyond the line of scrimmage before the pass has been thrown.

Legally Downfield. An ineligible player is not illegally downfield if, after initiating contact with an opponent within one yard of the line of scrimmage during his initial charge:. Illegally Downfield. An ineligible offensive player is illegally downfield if:. Penalty: For ineligible offensive player downfield: Loss of five yards from the previous spot. See Note above for exception when blocker maintains continuous contact.

Within the area five yards beyond the line of scrimmage, a defensive player may chuck an eligible receiver in front of him. The defender is allowed to maintain continuous and unbroken contact within the five-yard zone, so long as the receiver has not moved beyond a point that is even with the defender. Within the five-yard zone, if the player who receives the snap remains in the pocket with the ball, a defender may not make original contact in the back of a receiver, nor may he maintain contact after the receiver has moved beyond a point that is even with the defender.

Note: If a defender contacts a receiver within the five-yard zone of the line of scrimmage, loses contact, and then contacts him again within the five-yard zone, it is a foul for illegal contact.

Beyond the five-yard zone, if the player who receives the snap remains in the pocket with the ball, a defender cannot initiate contact with a receiver who is attempting to evade him. A defender may use his hands or arms only to defend or protect himself against impending contact caused by a receiver. Note: If a defender contacts a receiver within the five-yard zone and maintains contact with him, he must release the receiver as they exit the five-yard zone.

If the defender maintains contact beyond five yards, it is illegal contact. Penalty: For illegal contact by the defense: Loss of five yards and automatic first down.

It is defensive holding if a player grasps an eligible offensive player or his jersey with his hands, or extends an arm or arms to cut off or encircle him. Penalty: For holding by the defense: Loss of five yards and automatic first down. If the quarterback or the receiver of the snap demonstrates no further intention to pass the ball i.

If the quarterback leaves the pocket area with the ball in his possession, the restrictions on illegal contact and an illegal cut block both end, but the restriction on defensive holding remains in effect. If a team presents an apparent punting formation, defensive acts that normally constitute illegal contact chuck beyond five yards, etc.

Pass interference can only occur when a forward pass is thrown from behind the line of scrimmage, regardless of whether the pass is legal or illegal, or whether it crosses the line. Defensive pass interference rules apply from the time the ball is thrown until the ball is touched.

See Article 2 for prohibited acts while the ball is in the air. Offensive pass interference rules apply from the time the ball is snapped until the ball is touched. See Article 2 for prohibited acts while the ball is in the air and Article 4 for prohibited acts prior to the pass. Blocking more than one yard beyond the line of scrimmage by an offensive player prior to a pass being thrown is offensive pass interference.

See Item 1 for exception for an ineligible offensive player. Note: It is also pass interference by the offense to block a defender beyond the line while the pass is in the air, if the block occurs in the vicinity of the player to whom the pass is thrown. See Note for exception for ineligible players. Penalty: For pass interference by the defense: First down for the offensive team at the spot of the foul. If the interference is also a personal foul , the yard penalty for such a foul is also enforced, either from the spot of the foul for interference , or from the end of the run if the foul for pass interference is declined.

Penalty: For pass interference by the offense: Loss of 10 yards from the previous spot. If there is a foul by either team from the time of the snap until a forward pass thrown from behind the line ends, the penalty is enforced from the previous spot. A pass play ends and a running play begins at the instant that a pass is caught. A runner may throw a backward pass at any time Players of either team may advance after catching a backward pass, or recovering a backward pass after it touches the ground.

Exception: See actions to conserve time Note: A direct snap from center to a player in the backfield, a muffed hand-to-hand snap, or a snap that is untouched by any player are backward passes, and the ball remains alive.

If a backward pass goes out of bounds between the goal lines, the ball is dead a , and it is next put in play at the inbounds spot. Rule 11 governs if a backward pass is declared dead behind the goal line. Exception: If a runner intentionally fumbles forward, it is a forward pass Recovery and Advance.

Any player of either team may recover or catch a fumble and advance, either before or after the ball strikes the ground. Legal Recovery. For a legal recovery of a fumble, see Out of Bounds. When a fumble goes out of bounds between the goal lines, the following shall apply:. Out of Bounds in End Zone. When a fumble goes out of bounds in the end zone, the following shall apply:. No player may hand the ball forward except to an eligible receiver who is behind the line of scrimmage.

Penalty: For handing ball forward beyond the line of scrimmage: Five yards and loss of down from spot of foul. Penalty: For handing ball forward to ineligible receiver behind line of scrimmage or not from scrimmage: Loss of five yards. Penalty: For a punt, drop kick, or placekick that is kicked from beyond the line of scrimmage or not from scrimmage: Loss of 10 yards from the spot of the kick. For a second kick from behind the line after the ball has crossed the line: Loss of 10 yards from the previous spot.

During a kick from scrimmage, only the end men eligible receivers on the line of scrimmage at the time of the snap, or an eligible receiver who is aligned or in motion behind the line and is more than one yard outside the end man, are permitted to advance more than one yard beyond the line before the ball is kicked.

Penalty: For advancing more than one yard beyond the line of scrimmage before the ball is kicked: Loss of five yards. Note: The restriction in 1 above does not apply if a team does not present a standard punt formation an equal number of players on either side of the snapper in a tight formation, and one player split out wide to either side , or if, after the offensive team has assumed a set position, there is a shift, or a player goes in motion.

When Team A presents a field goal or Try Kick formation:. Note: The restrictions in 1 and 2 above do not apply if a team does not present a standard field goal or Try Kick formation an equal number of players on either side of the snapper in a tight formation , or if, after the offensive team has assumed a set position, there is a shift, or a player goes in motion. During a scrimmage kick that crosses the line of scrimmage, and prior to the end of the kick, it is a foul if a kicking team player goes out of bounds voluntarily without being contacted by a receiving team player to avoid a block by a receiving team player.

If a member of the kicking team is forced out of bounds, or goes out of bounds voluntarily, and does not attempt to return inbounds in a reasonable amount of time, it is a foul for Unsportsmanlike Conduct. Any touching of the ball behind the line of scrimmage by a kicking team player is legal, even if the ball has crossed the line and returns behind the line.

If the ball is first touched by a player of the kicking team, it remains in play. First touching is a violation, and the receivers shall have the option of taking possession of the ball at the spot of first touching, provided no live-ball penalty is accepted on the play, or at the spot where the ball is dead. First touching does not offset a foul by the receivers; if there is a live-ball foul by the receivers that is enforced, either before or after the first touching violation, the violation is disregarded, and the penalty is enforced as customary.

A player of the kicking team, who has gone out of bounds, during the kick, either of his own volition or by being legally forced out of bounds, may not touch or recover a scrimmage kick beyond the line of scrimmage until it has been touched by a kicking team player who has not been out of bounds, or until it has been touched by a player of the receiving team beyond the line.

Note: If a player touches or recovers the ball before he has re-established himself inbounds, the ball is out of bounds at the spot of the touch, and there is no foul.

Penalty: For illegal touching of a scrimmage kick: Loss of five yards. There is no distinction between a player touching a ball or being touched by it, but a player is not considered to have touched the ball if he is blocked into it by an opponent, provided he is in a passive position and not blocking.

A player who is engaged with and blocking his opponent when he contacts the ball is deemed to have touched the ball. A receiving team player is deemed to have not touched the ball if it is batted or illegally kicked into him by an opponent. Such touching by the receiving team is disregarded, though the bat or kick could create a first touching violation or a foul for an illegal bat or illegal kick.

When a scrimmage kick is caught or recovered by the kicking team behind the line of scrimmage, the kicking team may advance, even if the ball has crossed the line and returned behind the line. Same Series of Downs. If the ball has returned behind the line untouched by the receiving team beyond the line, and the kicking team catches or recovers the ball, the existing series of downs continues unless the kicking team advances the ball to the line to gain, in which case there is a new series of downs.

New Series of Downs. If the ball has returned behind the line after being touched by the receiving team beyond the line, and the kicking team catches or recovers the ball, by rule there has been a change of possession, and the kicking team will be awarded a new series of downs. When the kickers catch or recover a kick beyond the line of scrimmage, the ball is dead at the spot of recovery, even if a member of the receiving team has first touched the ball.

Legal Catch or Recovery. If the receiving team touches the ball beyond the line, a subsequent catch or recovery by the kicking team is legal, but the ball is dead. Illegal Catch or Recovery. If the kickers catch or recover a kick beyond the line that has not been touched beyond the line by the receiving team, the ball is dead, and it is first-and for the receivers at the spot of catch or recovery see for missed goals.

If a kick from behind the line is touched by the receiving team behind the line, such touching does not make the kicking team eligible to catch or recover the kick beyond the line. If a player of the kicking team illegally catches or recovers a scrimmage kick, other than a field-goal attempt from beyond the yard line, and touches the goal line with any part of his body while in possession of the ball, the ball is dead, and the result of the play is a touchback.

For a missed field goal from beyond the yard line, see If the receivers catch or recover any kick, they may advance. For fair catch exception, see For exception for a ball that has crossed the goal line. When a legal kick is simultaneously caught or recovered anywhere by two eligible opposing players, or if the ball is lying on the field of play with no player attempting to recover it, it is awarded to the receivers.

If there is a foul from the time of the snap until a legal scrimmage kick ends, enforcement is from the previous spot. This includes a foul during a run prior to a legal kick, and a foul by the kicking team during a missed field-goal attempt. Except for fouls that are committed in an attempt to block the kick such as running into or roughing the kicker, defensive holding pull-and-shoot , leverage, leaping, and pushing teammate s into the offensive formation , if the receiving team commits a foul after the kick that crosses the line of scrimmage, the penalty for its infraction will be enforced as if it had been in possession of the ball at the time the foul occurred a post-possession foul , provided that the receiving team does not lose possession of the ball at any time during the down.

The penalty shall be enforced from whichever of the following spots is least beneficial to the receiving team: the end of the kick; or the spot of the foul. If the foul occurs in the end zone, it is deemed to have occurred at the yard line, unless enforcement results in a safety For enforcement of a personal or unsportsmanlike conduct foul on a play that results in a score, see ; for illegally kicking a loose ball, see ; and for an illegal bat, see When Team B establishes possession of the ball, a scrimmage kick ends, and a running play begins, and fouls that occur thereafter are enforced from the dead-ball spot or the spot of the foul three-and-one method, During a scrimmage kick that crosses the line of scrimmage, or during a free kick, members of the kicking team are prohibited from interfering with any receiver making an attempt to catch the airborne kick, or from obstructing or hindering his path to the airborne kick, and regardless of whether any signal was given.

Contact with Receiver. It is interference if a player of the kicking team contacts the receiver, or causes a passive player of either team to contact the receiver, before or simultaneous to the receiver touching the ball.

Right of Way. A receiver who is moving toward a kicked ball that is in flight has the right of way. If opponents obstruct his path to the ball, or cause a passive player of either team to obstruct his path, it is interference, even if there is no contact, or if he catches the ball in spite of the interference, and regardless of whether any signal was given. Note: It is not a foul if a kicking team player is blocked into the receiver, or the contact is the result of a foul.

A Fair Catch is an unhindered catch of a scrimmage kick that has crossed the line of scrimmage and has not touched the ground , or of a free kick that has not touched the ground , by a player of the receiving team who has given a valid fair-catch signal.

Valid Fair-Catch Signal. A fair-catch signal is valid if it is made while the kick is in flight by a player who fully extends one arm above his helmet and waves it from side to side.

A receiver is permitted to legally raise his hand s to his helmet to shield his eyes from the sun, but is not permitted to raise them above his helmet except to signal for a fair catch.

Invalid Fair-Catch Signal. If a player raises his hand s above his shoulder s in any other manner, it is an invalid fair- catch signal. If there is an invalid fair-catch signal, the ball is dead when caught or recovered by any player of the receiving team, but it is not a fair catch. The ball is not dead if it touches an opponent before or after it strikes the ground.

See Article 3-b. Note: A fair-catch signal given behind the line of scrimmage on a scrimmage kick is ignored and is neither valid nor invalid. Penalty: For an invalid fair-catch signal: Loss of five yards from the spot of the signal.

After a valid fair-catch signal, the opportunity to catch a kick does not end if the ball is muffed. The player who signaled for a fair catch must have a reasonable opportunity to catch the muffed ball before it hits the ground without interference by members of the kicking team, and regardless of whether the ball strikes another player or an official.

Penalty: For interference with the opportunity to make a fair catch after a muff: A fair catch is awarded at the spot of the interference even if the ball is not caught. Intentional Muff. An intentional muff forward prior to a catch in order to gain ground is an illegal bat see Note.

Illegal Block. Until the ball touches a teammate or an opponent, a player who makes a valid or invalid fair-catch signal is prohibited from blocking or initiating contact with a player of the kicking team. Penalty: For an illegal block after a fair-catch signal: Loss of 15 yards from the spot of the foul. Penalty: For illegal contact with a player who has made a fair catch: Loss of 15 yards from the dead-ball spot and disqualification if flagrant.

After a fair catch is made, or is awarded as the result of fair-catch interference, the receiving team has the option of putting the ball in play by either a:. Note: A receiver may make or be awarded a fair catch in his end zone. If time expires during a play in which a player has signaled for a fair catch, the following shall apply:. After a touchdown, a Try is an opportunity for either team to score one or two additional points during one scrimmage down. The Try begins when the Referee sounds the whistle for play to start.

The team that scored the touchdown shall put the ball in play:. If a foul results in a retry, Team A will have the option to enforce the penalty from the spot where it attempted the try previous spot or from the yard line for the other try option , the location of which is determined by any previously enforced penalty, if applicable.

Exception: Defensive pass interference is a spot foul. In addition, Team A may have the penalty enforced half the distance from the other Try spot. Fouls Before the Signal. If there is a foul by either team after a touchdown and before the ready-for-play signal, it is enforced on the next kickoff or the Try.

Fouls Before the Snap. If there is a foul by the offense which causes a play to be whistled dead prior to the snap, it shall be treated the same as if it had occurred prior to a scrimmage play. If a foul by the defense prevents the attempt of a Try, the offensive team has the option to have the distance penalty assessed on the next Try or on the ensuing kickoff.

Fouls by Team A. The following applies if there is a foul by Team A:. Fouls by Team B. The following applies if there is a foul by Team B:. Note: If the foul is for defensive pass interference, and it is declined, no distance penalty is enforced on the kickoff. If there are fouls by both teams during a Try in which there is not a change of possession, the Try must be replayed Exception: See Item 3-exc.

If both teams foul during a Try in which there is a change or changes of possession, the following shall apply:. Fouls After a Try. If there is a foul by either team after a Try, it is enforced on the succeeding kickoff. If there are fouls by both teams, normal enforcement rules apply. After a Try, the team on defense during the Try shall receive the kickoff a. Note: See for restriction applicable to Team B formation at the snap.

If there is a missed field-goal attempt, and the ball has not been touched by the receivers beyond the line of scrimmage in the field of play, or in the end zone before the ball has touched the ground in the end zone, the following shall apply:.

Note: These options apply only if the scrimmage kick has crossed the line. The special rules pertaining to field goals in a and b are not applicable, and all general rules for a scrimmage kick, other than penalty enforcements, will apply when there is a missed field goal and:. Note: If a foul occurs during an unsuccessful field-goal attempt in 1 or 2 above, Rule governs. The rules for a field-goal attempt from scrimmage apply to a field-goal attempt following a Fair Catch a Fair-Catch Kick.

Note: Though a fair-catch kick is not a free kick, the rules for a free-kick formation apply However, the kicking team cannot possess the ball unless it has first been touched or possessed by the receivers. An artificial or manufactured tee shall not be permitted to assist in the execution of a field goal.

After a safety, the team scored upon must put the ball in play by a free kick punt, dropkick, or placekick from its yard line. An artificial or manufactured tee cannot be used. See b and Exception: For extension of either half, see g. Note: A touchback, while not a score, is included in this rule because, like scoring plays, it is a case of a ball that is dead on or behind a goal line.

It is a Touchback if the ball is dead on or behind the goal line a team is defending, provided that the impetus comes from an opponent, and that it is not a touchdown or an incomplete forward pass. Note: A ball in the end zone which is carried toward the field of play is still in the end zone until the entire ball is in the field of play A player of either team may block obstruct or impede an opponent at any time, provided that the act is not:. Penalty: For illegal use of hands, arms, or body by the offense: Loss of 10 yards.

Penalty: For an illegal block in the back above the waist by the offense: Loss of 10 yards. Penalty: For assisting the runner, interlocking interference, or illegal use of hands, arms, or body by the offense: Loss of 10 yards. A defensive player may use his hands, arms, or body to push, pull, or ward off offensive players:.

It is a foul if a defensive player thrusts his hands or arms forward above the frame of an opponent to forcibly contact him on the neck, face, or head. Note: Contact in close-line play is not a foul, unless it is direct and forcible, or prolonged.

Penalty: For tripping by either team: Loss of 10 yards. If the foul is by the defense, it is also an automatic first down. There shall be no clipping against a non-runner. This does not apply to offensive blocking in close-line play where it is legal to clip above the knee s , but it is illegal to clip at or below the knee s. See , close-line play. Exception : An offensive lineman may not clip a defender above the knees who, at the snap, is aligned on the line of scrimmage opposite another offensive lineman who is more than one position away, and the defender is responding to the flow of the ball away from the blocker.

Example : An offensive tackle cannot clip a defensive nose tackle on a sweep away. When a blocker, who is moving in the same direction as an opponent, initially contacts the opponent on his side, and subsequently contacts the opponent below his waist from behind, it is not clipping if the contact is continuous. An offensive player cannot initiate contact on the side and below the waist against an opponent if:.

All Chop Blocks are illegal. The order of the blocks is irrelevant. All Crackback Blocks are illegal. It is a Crackback Block if the following conditions are fulfilled:. The block occurs within an area five yards on either side of the line of scrimmage, including within close-line play, by an offensive player who is moving toward the position from which the ball was snapped; and.

Note : A player who initiates contact against such an opponent is responsible for avoiding an illegal act. A standard of strict liability applies for any contact against an opponent, even if his body position is in motion, and irrespective of any acts by him, such as ducking his head or curling up his body in anticipation of contact.

It is a foul if a player initiates a block when his path is toward or parallel to his own end line and makes forcible contact to his opponent with his helmet, forearm, or shoulder. The ball is not considered to have left that area if the player who takes the snap, either from a shotgun position or from under center, retreats in the pocket immediately or with a slight delay, and hands the ball to another player, or runs with the ball himself.

This exception does not apply to any action other than a designed play. Penalty: For unnecessary roughness: Loss of 15 yards. The player may be disqualified if the action is judged by the official s to be flagrant. Note: When in question about a roughness call or potentially dangerous tactics, the covering official s should always call unnecessary roughness.

It is a foul if a player initiates unnecessary contact against a player who is in a defenseless posture. Penalty: For unnecessary roughness: Loss of 15 yards and an automatic first down.

It is a foul if a player lowers his head to initiate and make contact with his helmet against an opponent. Penalty: Loss of 15 yards. Each team is made one of 11 players. One man team has possession of the football. It is called the offense and it tries to advance the ball down the field-by running with the ball or throwing it — and score points by crossing the goal line and getting into an area called the end zone.

The other team also with 11 players is called the defense. It tries to stop the offensive team and make it give up possession of the ball. If the team with the ball does score or is forced to give up possession, the offensive and defensive teams switch roles the offensive team goes on defense and the defensive team goes on offense. And so on, back and forth, until all four quarters of the game have been played. While only the quarterback, the wide receivers and tight ends, and the running backs can legally handle the ball, it is the quarterback who is the leader of the team and the playmaker.

The job of the defense is to stop the offense. To see how the offensive and defensive players usually line up click here. What are the dimensions of an NFL football field? The field measures yards long and 53 yards wide.

Little white markings on the field called yard markers help the players, officials, and the fans keep track of the ball note: that yellow line on your screen is generated by a computer for TV viewers. The most important part of the field is the end zone. This is where the points add up! In the back of the end zone are goalposts that measure 10 feet high.

How wide are NFL goal posts? NFL goal posts as 18 feet six inches wide. This is approximately 5 feet narrower than college football goal posts, which are 23 feet, 4 inches wide. As discussed below, kicking the ball through the goal posts is another way for teams to score points.

How long are NFL football games? NFL games are divided into four minute quarters, separated by a minute break at halftime. There are also 2-minute breaks at the end of the first and third quarters as teams change ends of the field after every 15 minutes of play.

At the end of the first and third quarters, the team with the ball retains possession heading into the following quarter. That is not the case before halftime. The second half starts with a kickoff in the same way as the game began in the first quarter.

Each offensive team has 40 seconds from the end of a given play until they must snap of the ball for the start of the next play, otherwise they will be penalized for delay of game. The clock stops at the end of incomplete passing plays, when a player goes out of bounds, when a penalty is called, or when a team calls a timeout thus, it is very important for teams to save their timeouts.

The clock starts again when the ball is re-spotted by an official. If a game is tied at the end of regulation, a minute overtime period will be played. In the NFL, this is sudden death and the first team to score wins. Possession is determined before the period begins by a coin toss.