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SCFOA OFFICIATING EDUCATION SERIES

Rule 9: Conduct of Players and Others

Part 4 of 4 — Unsportsmanlike Conduct, Illegal Participation, Illegal Kicking/Batting, and Unfair Acts

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RULE 9 — PART 4 OF 4

What's in This Deck

Noncontact Unsportsmanlike Conduct — Players

Illegal Participation

Illegal Kicking and Batting

Noncontact Unsportsmanlike Conduct — Nonplayers

Unfair Acts

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SECTION 5 · ART. 1

Unsportsmanlike Conduct

No player shall act in an unsportsmanlike manner once the game officials assume authority for the game. Examples include:

Baiting or taunting — acts, words, or insignia that engender ill will.
Using profanity, insulting, or vulgar language or gestures.
Any delayed, excessive, or prolonged act meant to focus attention on oneself.
Kicking at the ball outside of a legal kick.
Leaving the field between downs for an advantage, unless replaced or given permission.
Refusing to comply with a game official's request.
Using alcohol, tobacco, or a controlled/illicit substance from arrival until departure from the competition site.

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SECTION 5 · ART. 2

Once the Ball Is Dead in a Player's Possession

He shall not:

Intentionally kick the ball.
Spike the ball into the ground.
Throw the ball high into the air, or out of the field of play or end zone.
Intentionally fail to place the ball on the ground, or fail to immediately return it to a nearby game official.

Penalty

Unsportsmanlike conduct: 15 yards (from the succeeding spot if a dead-ball foul)
Disqualification if judged flagrant
A second unsportsmanlike foul always results in disqualification

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CASE PLAY — 9.5

Two Unsportsmanlike Fouls Means Disqualification

THE PLAY

In the first period, A1 is penalized 15 yards for an unsportsmanlike foul. In the third period, A1 is in the restricted area on the sideline and receives another 15-yard penalty for an unsportsmanlike foul.

THE RULING

A1 is disqualified. A second unsportsmanlike foul always results in disqualification — and that rule applies regardless of whether A1 committed the second one as a player or as a nonplayer on the sideline. The category of foul is what matters, not which role he was in when he committed it.

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CASE PLAY — 9.5.1 — A, B

Celebrating a Score — Where's the Line?

THE PLAY

(A) Scoring a touchdown, A1: (a) holds and waves the ball overhead for the last 10 yards, or (b) after crossing the goal line, momentarily raises the ball overhead but quickly drops it to the ground.

(B) B1 intercepts A1's pass and returns it 95 yards for the go-ahead score. After entering the end zone, B1: (a) does a series of back flips, or (b) runs toward his team box, stops, and struts back and forth in front of his own fans.

THE RULING

(A) (a) is unsportsmanlike conduct — celebrating BEFORE the score is complete, during the run itself, crosses the line. (b) is no foul — a brief celebratory gesture after already crossing the goal line, quickly ended, doesn't.

(B) Unsportsmanlike foul in BOTH (a) and (b), penalized from the succeeding spot. The touchdown still stands either way — only the celebration itself is penalized, not the score.

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CASE PLAY — 9.5.2

What Happens to the Ball After a Touchdown

THE PLAY

After A1 carries the ball into B's end zone, he: (a) throws the ball into the bleachers; (b) kicks the ball off the field; (c) spikes the ball to the ground with force; or (d) is knocked down by B1 clearly after the ball is already dead.

THE RULING

(a), (b), and (c) are all unsportsmanlike conduct fouls — the touchdown still counts, and A is penalized 15 yards on the try or the subsequent kickoff.

(d) is a different kind of foul entirely — B1's late contact is penalized on the try, moving the ball to the 1½-yard line, or on the subsequent kickoff. If judged flagrant, B1 could be disqualified.

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SECTION

Illegal Participation

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SECTION 6 · ART. 1–2

Going Out of Bounds During a Down

Before a change of possession, or when there's no change of possession, no player of A or K may go out of bounds and return to the field during the down — unless he was blocked out by an opponent.

A player blocked out of bounds must return at the first opportunity.

No player may intentionally go out of bounds during the down and then:

Return to the field;
Intentionally touch the ball;
Influence the play; or
Otherwise participate.

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SECTION 6 · ART. 3

Restrictions on Nonplayers and Substitutes

No replaced player, substitute, coach, athletic trainer, or other attendant shall:

Hinder an opponent.
Touch the ball.
Influence the play.
Otherwise participate.

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SECTION 6 · ART. 4

What Counts as Illegal Participation

It's illegal participation:

When any player, replaced player, substitute, coach, trainer, or attendant enters and participates during a down.
If an injured player isn't replaced for at least one down (unless halftime or overtime intermission occurs).
To have 12 or more players participating at the snap or free kick.
To use a player, substitute, or attendant in a real or pretended substitution to deceive opponents at or just before the snap.
For a player to lie on the ground to deceive opponents at or just before the snap.
For a disqualified player to re-enter the game.
For a player whose helmet comes completely off during a down to keep participating beyond the immediate action he was already engaged in.

Penalty

15 yards, live-ball foul, from the basic spot

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QUICK REFERENCE

Illegal Participation — Common Scenarios

Who Entered and Participated	Penalty and Spot
A nonplayer enters during the down	15 yards, basic spot (nonplayer foul, unless post-scrimmage kick enforcement applies)
A substitute enters during the down	15 yards, basic spot
A player re-enters after already being on the field for the previous down	15 yards, basic spot
A player who should legitimately be on the field (11th or fewer) enters during the down	15 yards, basic spot

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CASE PLAY — 9.6.1 SITUATION A

Returning Inbounds — Voluntary or Accidental

THE PLAY

Third and 20 from B's 40. A1 accidentally steps out of bounds at B's 30 while running a sideline pattern, then returns inbounds at the 28. Quarterback A2's forward pass is: (a) overthrown and incomplete; (b) caught by A1 at B's 25; or (c) in flight to A1 when B1 contacts him and it falls incomplete.

THE RULING

(a) and (b) are illegal participation by A1. (c) is a double foul — A1's illegal participation combined with B1's pass interference — and the down is replayed.

Whether A1 went out voluntarily, by accident, or delayed his return after being blocked out, he commits illegal participation the moment he returns inbounds. The spot of the foul is where he re-entered the field.

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CASE PLAY — 9.6.1 SITUATION B

Timing Relative to the Change of Possession

THE PLAY

Third and 10 from B's 40. A1's pass is intercepted by B1 at B's 20 and returned to midfield. End A2 accidentally steps on the sideline at B's 30: (a) before, or (b) after the interception. In both, A2 returns inbounds at B's 25 without attempting to catch the ball or tackle B1.

THE RULING

(a) Illegal participation at B's 25 — A2 returned after having gone out BEFORE the change of possession.

(b) No foul — A2 didn't go out of bounds until AFTER the interception had already changed possession. The exact moment of the out-of-bounds step, relative to the turnover, is what decides this.

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CASE PLAY — 9.6.1 SITUATION C

Kicking Team Out of Bounds During a Punt

THE PLAY

Fourth and 15 on K's 30. K1 accidentally steps on the sideline while K2's punt is in the air, then returns inbounds at midfield: (a) before, or (b) after R1 catches the ball and is tackled at R's 40.

THE RULING

Illegal participation in BOTH (a) and (b), since K1 went out before the change of possession. In (a), if accepted, R may choose enforcement from the basic spot (since the foul happened during a loose-ball play) or the succeeding spot. In (b), since the foul happened during R1's run, the 15-yard penalty is enforced from the end of R1's run instead.

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CASE PLAY — 9.6.1 — D, E

A 12th Player, and a Confused Substitution

THE PLAY

(D) Fourth and 15 on K's 30. R1 enters as the 12th player while K1's punt is in the air. R2 catches it at R35 and returns to R42 before being tackled.

(E) Between second and third downs, Team A's coach sends in several substitutes. A11, believing he's been replaced, leaves for the team box. Realizing he wasn't actually substituted for, he re-enters as the ball is being snapped, runs a pass pattern, and catches the ball for a first down.

THE RULING

(D) Illegal participation against R1. If accepted, the penalty is enforced from the post-scrimmage kick spot (R35), resulting in first and 10 for R after enforcement.

(E) Illegal participation — marked off 15 yards from the basic spot, regardless of the honest confusion about whether A11 had actually been replaced.

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CASE PLAY — 9.6.2 SITUATION A

Out of Bounds Until Fully Back Inbounds

THE PLAY

A2 runs a pass pattern in the end zone, touches the end line (or beyond), leaps, and taps A1's legal forward pass to A3, who catches it in the end zone. A2 then lands inbounds after tapping the ball.

THE RULING

Incomplete pass. A2 is considered out of bounds until some body part touches inbounds while no body part is touching out of bounds — and since he tapped the ball while technically still out of bounds, that touch doesn't count toward the completion. If A2 went out voluntarily in the first place, he's also guilty of illegal participation.

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CASE PLAY — 9.6.2 — B, C

The Same Rule, on Defense and on a Kick

THE PLAY

(B) Linebacker B1 runs out of bounds while the ball is live. As runner A2 advances past him, B1 reaches back inbounds and tackles A2.

(C) K1 free-kicks the ball toward the sideline. R1 runs to the sideline and intentionally steps out of bounds, then — while still out of bounds — intentionally touches the ball as it nears the sideline. The ball is declared dead.

THE RULING

(B) Illegal participation — B1 remains out of bounds until some body part touches inbounds with none touching out, and reaching in to make a tackle doesn't satisfy that.

(C) Illegal participation by R1, for the same reason — he touched the ball while his own body was still legally "out of bounds," regardless of intent.

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CASE PLAY — 9.6.4 SITUATION A

A Late-Leaving Replaced Player

THE PLAY

Several A substitutes enter between downs and go to the huddle, but one replaced player doesn't leave within three seconds and goes undetected. When the huddle breaks, the replaced player runs toward his sideline and exits just before the snap.

THE RULING

This is illegal participation IF the covering official judges that A used the replaced player (or a substitute) in a real or pretended substitution to deceive the opponents. If not, it's the lesser foul of illegal substitution instead. A replaced player must leave within three seconds, in a manner that doesn't confuse or deceive the opponents.

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CASE PLAY — 9.6.4 SITUATION B

A Pretended Substitution to Deceive

THE PLAY

After a kickoff return, A1 and A2 enter the field while A3, A4, and A5 move toward the sideline. A5 stops within the 9-yard marks, while A3 and A4 continue toward the team box. The ball is blown ready for play with A3 and A4 still outside the 9-yard marks, and it's snapped without a huddle — the quarterback throws to A4, who has gone downfield as a wide receiver.

THE RULING

Illegal — a pretended substitution was used to deceive the opponents. The 15-yard illegal-participation penalty is administered from the previous spot, since the foul happened at the snap.

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CASE PLAY — 9.6.4 — C, D

A Blocking Substitute, and a Too-Early Return From Injury

THE PLAY

(C) Third and 10 from B's 30. A1 runs to B's 18, where he's tackled. During the down, substitute A12 comes onto the field and blocks B1.

(D) A1 is injured and treated on the field. A requests a time-out. On the next down, A1 runs 20 yards for the go-ahead score. Afterward, B requests a time-out so the coach can discuss A1's participation with the Referee.

THE RULING

(D) A rule was misapplied — A1 must sit out at least one down following his injury. The touchdown is canceled, and a penalty for illegal participation is enforced. A1 must now leave the game for at least one down.

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CASE PLAY — 9.6.4 SITUATION E

A Substitute Who Only Meant to Watch

THE PLAY

Third and 12 from A's 45. Quarterback A1 passes to A2 at B's 45. Teammate A12, trying to get a better view of the play, enters the field of play at B's 40. During the run after the catch: (a) A2 collides with A12 and is then tackled by B1; or (b) B1 slows down to avoid A12 as A1 runs for a touchdown.

THE RULING

Illegal participation in BOTH (a) and (b) — 15 yards from the basic spot. A12 hindered a teammate or opponent and thereby participated in the play, even without intending to. The spot of the foul is where the participation actually happened, not where A12 first entered the field.

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CASE PLAY — 9.6.4 — F, G

Continuing to Play Without a Helmet

THE PLAY

(F) A1's helmet comes completely off during close line play, without any foul by B, as the play moves downfield. Without his helmet, A1 pursues the play and (a) does or (b) doesn't make contact with a blocker.

(G) B54's helmet comes completely off tackling A32. Without losing contact, A32 drags B54 for a few yards before B54 finally goes to the ground.

THE RULING

(F) Illegal participation in BOTH (a) and (b). Once a player's helmet comes completely off, he must cease involvement with the play immediately — and must sit out the next play if the helmet loss wasn't caused by an opponent's foul.

(G) LEGAL — B54 is still engaged in the "immediate action" of completing his tackle attempt on A32. He must still leave the field for at least one play once the down ends, but staying engaged through the tackle itself isn't a foul.

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CASE PLAY — 9.6.4 SITUATION H

How Far Can a Helmetless Player Go?

THE PLAY

B54's helmet comes completely off tackling A32. A32 fumbles, and B54: (a) without disengaging, completes the tackle, and A32 recovers the fumble; (b) without disengaging, completes the tackle and, on hitting the ground, recovers the ball that fell directly below him; (c) disengages immediately and tries to recover the fumble that rolled away; or (d) after tackling A32, THEN attempts to recover the fumble.

THE RULING

(a) Legal. (b) Legal, as long as all the contact stayed in the immediate area. (c) and (d) are both illegal participation — once B54 disengages, or once the tackle is fully over, continuing to chase after a loose ball crosses the line from "immediate action" into new, separate participation. In every scenario, B54 must still leave the field for at least one play.

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SECTION

Illegal Kicking

and Batting

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SECTION 7 · ART. 1–2

What Counts as Illegal Kicking or Batting

No player shall intentionally kick the ball, other than as a free kick or scrimmage kick.
No player shall bat a loose ball, other than a pass or fumble in flight, or a low scrimmage kick in flight he's attempting to block in or behind the expanded neutral zone.

EXCEPTION

A K player may bat a grounded scrimmage kick beyond the neutral zone toward his own goal line
A K player may also bat a scrimmage kick in flight beyond the neutral zone toward his own goal line, if no R player is in position to catch it

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SECTION 7 · ART. 3–4

Batting a Pass, and Batting the Ball in Possession

Any pass in flight may be batted in any direction by an eligible receiver — unless it's a backward pass being batted FORWARD by the passing team.
A ball in player possession shall not be batted forward by a player of the team in possession.

Penalty

Illegal kicking or batting: 10 yards

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CASE PLAY — 9.7.1 — A, B

Illegal Kicks

THE PLAY

(A) On a field-goal attempt, holder A2 muffs the snap and is trying to gain possession on the ground when A1 kicks it between the uprights, over the crossbar.

(B) Fourth and 10 for A from its own 15. A1 fakes a kick, runs beyond the neutral zone, and kicks the ball at the 20. The kicked ball: (a) is caught by A2 at A's 30 and downed there; (b) comes to rest on A's 45 with no player from either team touching it, so the whistle sounds; or (c) goes out of bounds at midfield.

THE RULING

(A) An illegal kick by A1. If the penalty is declined, the result is a touchback — an illegal kick can never score a field goal.

(B) The kick is illegal, and the resulting loose ball is treated as a fumble, not a kick — normal kicking rules don't apply here. In (a) and (b), if declined, it's A's ball, first and 10, from where it became dead; if accepted, enforcement is from the spot of the illegal kick. In (c), it's a forward fumble out of bounds — if declined, the ball returns to the spot of the illegal kick, short of the line to gain, and it's B's ball, first and 10.

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CASE PLAY — 9.7.2 — A, B

A Legal Bat Beyond the Neutral Zone

THE PLAY

(A) Fourth and 4 from R's 40. K1 punts, and it's bounding near R's goal line. K2, trying to keep it from crossing the goal line, bats it at the 2-yard line back toward his own goal. It's recovered by: (a) R1, who advances to his 30; or (b) R2, who tries to advance but retreats and is downed in his own end zone.

(B) K1's punt is coming down over R's 10. (a) R3 is in position to catch it, or (b) no R player is in position, when K2 bats the ball toward his own goal line in flight — but the batted ball ends up in R's end zone.

THE RULING

(A) K2's bat is legal, since it happened beyond the neutral zone. In (a), R takes the results of the play — first and 10 from its 30. In (b), since the result is a safety, R instead takes the ball at the 2 — the spot of first touching where K2 legally batted it.

(B) In (a), it's kick-catching interference AND first touching by K2 — R may take the touchback result, an awarded fair catch at R's 25, the ball at the spot of first touching (the 10), or a 15-yard penalty from the previous spot with a replay. In (b), there's no foul at all, and the result is simply a touchback — R's ball, first and 10, from its own 20.

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CASE PLAY — 9.7.3

An Illegal Bat During a Fake Punt

THE PLAY

A is in punt formation. The ball is snapped to A1, who turns his back to the line and throws a backward pass into the air. A2 comes forward and bats the ball 20 yards downfield, where: (a) A3 recovers it 5 yards beyond the line to gain; (b) A4 catches it and advances 5 more yards; (c) it goes out of bounds beyond the line to gain; or (d) B1 intercepts and returns it for an apparent touchdown.

THE RULING

A2's batting is illegal in all four. In (a), (b), and (c), it's to B's advantage to accept the distance penalty, enforced from the spot of the foul — since the bat happened during a loose-ball play, behind the basic spot. In (d), because the foul happened during a loose-ball play before any change of possession, B may simply decline the penalty and keep the touchdown instead. Otherwise, the penalty is enforced from the spot of the foul, and A retains the ball if B accepts.

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CASE PLAY — 9.7.4

Who Batted It — Offense or Defense?

THE PLAY

Fourth and 6 from B's 10. A1 is about to be hit short of the line to gain. While the ball is in A1's possession, either (a) A2 or (b) B1 bats the ball forward into B's end zone, where A3 recovers it.

THE RULING

(a) An illegal bat — enforced from the end of A1's run, where the bat occurred.

(b) The bat is legal, and results in a TOUCHDOWN for A. A defender batting the ball forward, out of the offense's own possession, doesn't carry the same restriction that applies to the team already in possession.

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SECTION

Noncontact Unsportsmanlike

Conduct by Nonplayers

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SECTION 8 · ART. 1 (COMMUNICATION)

Nonplayer Conduct — Communication and Respect

No coach, substitute, athletic trainer, or other team attendant shall act unsportsmanlike once officials assume authority. Examples include:

Using profanity, insulting, or vulgar language.
Attempting to influence a game official's decision.
Disrespectfully addressing a game official.
Indicating objection to an official's decision.
Using illegal communication equipment.
Holding an unauthorized conference.

NOTE

Between downs, normal communication between players and coaches near the sideline is NOT considered a conference

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SECTION 8 · ART. 1 (READINESS AND LOCATION)

Nonplayer Conduct — Team Readiness and Location

It's also unsportsmanlike for a team to fail to:

Comply with coin-toss restrictions, be ready to start either half, or be back on the field after halftime.
For a coach to allow players to use illegal equipment after pregame verification.
Being on the field except as a substitute or replaced player.
Using alcohol, tobacco, or a controlled/illicit substance during the competition.
Being outside the team box, but not on the field.
A substitute leaving the team box during a fight.

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SECTION 8 · ART. 2–3

When Nonplayers May Be on the Field

Three attendants (none a coach) may enter during a charged time-out, TV/radio time-out, the minute after a try/successful field goal/safety before the free kick, between periods, or during an officials' time-out for heat/humidity.

During an injury time-out, the coach and any needed attendants may enter, with permission, to attend the injured player.

A nonplayer shall not be outside his team box, unless becoming a player or returning as a replaced player.
A maximum of three coaches may be in the restricted area. No player, nonplayer, or coach may be in the restricted area while the ball is live.

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CASE PLAY — 9.8.1 SITUATION A

A Legal Sideline Conversation

THE PLAY

During the game, quarterback A1 runs to the vicinity of his team box to receive instructions from his coach. No time-out is requested, there's no delay in the ready-for-play signal, and the coach never leaves the team box.

THE RULING

This type of communication is legal. Nothing about a quick sideline exchange, without a time-out and without delay, violates the conference restrictions.

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CASE PLAY — 9.8.1 — B, C

Only One Type of Conference Per Time-Out

THE PLAY

(B) During a charged time-out: (a) A1 goes to the sideline to talk to his head coach, and then A2, A3, and A4 also go to the sideline while the rest of the team stays between the 9-yard marks; or (b) while A1 is talking to one coach near the sideline, another coach goes onto the field to the huddle.

(C) During a charged (or heat/humidity) time-out: (a) A's coach confers with A1 near the sideline for 30 seconds, then A1 returns to the huddle and A2 comes to confer for the rest of the time-out; or (b) the coach goes onto the field to the huddle for 30 seconds, returns to the sideline, and then A1 comes over for more instructions.

THE RULING

(B) (a) is legal. (b) is an unauthorized conference — only ONE type of conference is allowed per time-out.

(C) (a) is a legal conference. (b) is an unauthorized conference, for the same reason — mixing a field conference and a sideline conference within the same time-out isn't allowed, even sequentially.

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CASE PLAY — 9.8.1 — D, I

Separate Fouls Stay Separate; Sideline Talk During an Injury

THE PLAY

(D) In the first period, Team A's coach accidentally bumps a game official while outside the team box — a 15-yard illegal-contact penalty. In the second period, the same coach is penalized 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct for arguing a call.

(I) During an officials' time-out for an injury, may players from either team go to the sideline to talk with their coach?

THE RULING

(D) The first foul was illegal personal contact; the second was unsportsmanlike conduct — two DIFFERENT categories of foul. They are NOT combined to force the head coach's ejection, even though both carried 15-yard penalties.

(I) Yes — this is simply a period between downs. But if a coach enters the field itself to attend to the injured player, he may not confer with players while he's out there.

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CASE PLAY — 9.8.1 SITUATION E

Where a Disqualified Coach May Go

THE PLAY

After a coach's second 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty, the Referee tells him he may no longer be near the playing field or have any contact — direct or indirect — with his players for the rest of the game, including halftime. The coach goes to: (a) the stands; (b) the press box; or (c) the team locker room.

THE RULING

Illegal in (a) and (b). Legal in (c) — but if the team itself comes to the locker room (say, at halftime), the disqualified coach must leave. He may not have any contact with the team during the halftime intermission either.

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CASE PLAY — 9.8.1 SITUATION F

The Path to Disqualification

THE PLAY

In the first half, A's head coach has been penalized: (a) 5 yards, then 15 yards, for being outside the team box (but not on the field); or (b) 15 yards for being outside the team box AND on the field of play. In the third period, the coach commits the same violation again — in either (a) or (b). What happens?

THE RULING

In BOTH (a) and (b), another 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty is assessed, and the coach must be DISQUALIFIED — this is now his second 15-yard unsportsmanlike foul. The initial 5-yard sideline-interference penalty in (a) does NOT count as one of the two fouls leading to disqualification; only the 15-yard unsportsmanlike fouls count toward that total.

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CASE PLAY — 9.8.1 SITUATION G

Illegal Eyeshields — Player vs. Substitute

THE PLAY

During the game: (a) A1 is discovered wearing a reflective eyeshield; or (b) an entering substitute of B has a dark eyeshield.

THE RULING

(a) A's coach is charged with an unsportsmanlike foul, and A1 must leave the game until he's legally equipped.

(b) B's substitute simply isn't allowed to become a player — he's ordered off the field and can't return until properly equipped. There's no foul at all here, because he never actually became a player in the first place.

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CASE PLAY — 9.8.1 SITUATION H

Illegal Jerseys Discovered at Inspection

THE PLAY

During pregame inspection, officials find a team's jerseys don't comply with the NFHS jersey rule — whether by (a) color where it's restricted on a white jersey, (b) white where it's not permitted on a non-white jersey, (c) other illegal markings, or (d) home jerseys that aren't all the same contrasting dark color. The team can't change jerseys before kickoff.

THE RULING

In all four cases, the noncompliant team's head coach is assessed an unsportsmanlike conduct foul, enforced on the opening free kick — this counts as one of the two allowable unsportsmanlike fouls before ejection. Officials should also report the incident to the state association, to make sure this procedure isn't used as a way to sidestep the jersey rule.

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CASE PLAY — 9.8.1 SITUATION J

A Bench-Clearing Incident

THE PLAY

A fight breaks out between several opposing players, and: (a) two substitutes from each team come onto the field, or (b) one substitute of A enters while three enter from B's team box.

THE RULING

(a) The substitutes are disqualified, and the penalties cancel between the teams. (b) Since these are all dead-ball fouls, one 15-yard penalty on A cancels one on B, leaving TWO 15-yard penalties still assessed against B. In both cases, anyone who was actually fighting is separately disqualified on top of the bench-clearing penalties.

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CASE PLAY — 9.8.1 SITUATION K

Illegal Items on the Belt

THE PLAY

A1 is discovered to have played with (a) a white, unmarked towel with a tacky substance on it, or (b) a piece of white, unmarked plastic hanging from his belt.

THE RULING

In both cases, the item doesn't meet the equipment rule's requirements and is illegal. Since A1 played while illegally equipped, a 15-yard penalty is assessed against Team A's head coach, and the illegal item must be removed before A1 can continue.

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CASE PLAY — 9.8.3 — A, B

Repeated Restricted-Area Violations, and a Signer for a Deaf Player

THE PLAY

(A) In the first period, Team A is warned, then penalized 5 yards for sideline interference (too many coaches, or noncoaches, in the restricted area). The same infraction happens again in the third period and again in the fourth.

(B) Team A has a deaf player. A's coach requests permission to: (a) let a signer go to the team huddle on offense to relay play calls, or (b) let the signer move up and down the sideline inside the restricted area without penalty.

THE RULING

(A) The third and fourth infractions are both 15-yard penalties. Since the head coach is responsible for the team box, every one of these fouls is charged to him — and the second 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty disqualifies him.

(B) Not permitted in either (a) or (b) — the restricted-area and huddle-access rules apply regardless of the reason for wanting an exception.

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SECTION 9 · ART. 1–5

Unfair Acts

A player, nonplayer, or anyone not subject to the rules shall not hinder play by an unfair act that has no specific rule coverage.
No team shall repeatedly commit fouls that halve the distance to the goal line.
No player shall hide the ball under a jersey.
No player shall use a kicking tee in violation of the equipment rule.
Neither team shall commit any act which, in the Referee's opinion, makes a travesty of the game.

Penalty

Unfair act: the Referee enforces whatever penalty is equitable — including awarding a score
Repeated goal-line-halving fouls: the game may be forfeited
Hiding the ball under a jersey, or an illegal kicking tee: 15 yards, basic spot

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CASE PLAY — 9.9.1 — A, B

When the Referee Invokes the Unfair-Act Rule

THE PLAY

(A) Trailing by five with no time-outs left near the end of the fourth period, the play ends on B's 3. The Referee doesn't believe there's illegal delay in unpiling, and time will clearly expire before A can get set and snap. Quarterback A1 reaches into the pile, grabs the ball, and throws it to midfield.

(B) From a field-goal formation, potential kicker A1 yells "Where's the tee?" A2 replies "I'll go get it" and legally goes in motion toward the sideline. The ball is snapped to A1, who throws a touchdown pass to A2.

THE RULING

(A) Even with a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty, A has still accomplished its real goal — stopping the clock to get into position for another play. This is exactly the situation where the Referee should invoke the unfair-act rule and handle it however he judges equitable; here, that likely means winding the clock and ending the game without giving A the chance to snap at all.

(B) Unsportsmanlike conduct before the snap — the ball should be declared dead and the foul enforced as a dead-ball foul. Ordinary deception (shifts, unusual formations, trick plays) is part of football, but verbal trickery specifically designed to make the defense think a snap ISN'T imminent crosses into illegal territory.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

Rule 9, Part 4 — Recap

Celebration fouls turn on timing: acts during the run to the end zone can be unsportsmanlike, but the same gesture completed after already crossing the goal line usually isn't.

Illegal participation for going out of bounds is entirely about timing relative to the change of possession — the same physical action is a foul before a turnover and perfectly legal after one.

A player whose helmet comes completely off may finish the "immediate action" he's already engaged in (like completing a tackle), but the instant he disengages or that action ends, anything further is illegal participation.

Whether a bat or kick is legal often depends entirely on WHO does it and in WHICH direction — K may legally bat a kick toward its own goal line beyond the neutral zone, but a defender batting the offense's ball forward is treated completely differently than the offense doing the same thing.

Only one type of coach-player conference is allowed per time-out — mixing a sideline conference and a field conference in the same time-out is a foul, even done one after another rather than simultaneously.

Different categories of foul don't combine to force an ejection — only a SECOND foul within the same unsportsmanlike-conduct category triggers disqualification; an illegal-contact foul and an unsportsmanlike foul are tracked independently.