Possession ARTICLE 1. Possession refers to custody of (a) a live ball as described later in this article and (b) a dead ball to be snapped or free-kicked. It may refer either to player possession or team possession. Player Possession The ball is in player possession when a player has the ball firmly in his grasp by holding or controlling it while contacting the ground inbounds. »
Recommended Numbering ARTICLE 1. It is strongly recommended that offensive players be numbered according to the following diagram that shows one of many offensive formations: 80-99 70-79 60-69 50-59 60-69 70-79 80-99 Players’ Numbering ARTICLE 2. All players shall be numbered 1 through 99. Any number preceded by zero (“0”) is illegal. No two players of the same team shall participate in the same down wearing identical numbers. »
ARTICLE 1. Clipping is a block against an opponent in which the force of the initial contact is from behind and at or below the waist (Rule 9-1-5). b. The position of the blocker’s head or feet does not necessarily indicate the point of initial contact. »
Deliberately advancing a dead ball is an attempt by a player to advance the ball after any part of his person, other than a hand or foot, has touched the ground or after the ball has been declared dead by rule (Exception: Rule 4-1- 3-b Exception). »
Down ARTICLE 1. A down is a unit of the game that starts after the ball is ready for play with a legal snap (scrimmage down) or legal free kick (free kick down) and ends when the ball becomes dead [Exception: The try is a scrimmage down that begins when the referee declares the ball ready for play (Rule 8-3-2-b)]. Between Downs ARTICLE 2. Between downs is the interval during which the ball is dead. »
Fair Catch ARTICLE 1. A fair catch of a scrimmage kick is a catch beyond the neutral zone by a Team B player who has made a valid signal during a scrimmage kick that is untouched beyond the neutral zone. AfaircatchofafreekickisacatchbyaplayerofTeamBwhohasmade a valid signal during an untouched free kick. A valid or invalid fair catch signal deprives the receiving team of the opportunity to advance the ball. »
Forward, Beyond ARTICLE 1. Forward, beyond or in advance of, as related to either team, denotes direction toward the opponent’s end line. Converse terms are backward or behind. Forward Progress ARTICLE 2. Forward progress is a term indicating the end of advancement by the ball carrier or airborne pass receiver of either team and applies to the position of the ball when it became dead by rule (Rules 4-1-3-a, b and p; Rules 4-2-1 and 4; and Rule 5-1-3-a Exception) (A. »
Foul ARTICLE 1. A foul is a rule infraction for which a penalty is prescribed. Personal Foul ARTICLE 2. A personal foul is a foul involving illegal physical contact that endangers the safety of another player. Flagrant Personal Foul ARTICLE 3. A flagrant personal foul is illegal physical contact so extreme or deliberate that it places an opponent in danger of catastrophic injury. »
Fumble ARTICLE 1. To fumble the ball is to lose player possession by any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing (A.R. 2-19-2-I and A.R. 4-1-3- I). The status of the ball is a fumble. Muff ARTICLE 2. To muff the ball is to make an unsuccessful attempt to catch or recover a ball that is touched in the attempt. Muffing the ball does not change its status. »
Sidelines ARTICLE 1. A sideline runs from end line to end line on each side of the field and separates the field of play from the area that is out of bounds. The entire sideline is out of bounds. Goal Lines ARTICLE 2. The goal line at each end of the field of play runs between the sidelines and is part of the vertical plane that separates the end zone from the field of play. »