Live Ball / Dead Ball

1. Live Ball / Dead Ball

• 1.1Live Ball

The ball is live after the officials have signaled play to begin and the ball has been snapped by the team in possession. The ball will remain live until the ball is ruled dead according to the dead-ball rules. A team cannot advance the ball or score unless the ball is live.

• 1.2Dead Ball

The ball is dead when any of the dead-ball conditions are met. A live ball becomes dead when an official's whistle is blown. The team in possession can advance no further when the ball is dead.

• 1.3Substitutions may be made only when ball is dead. If a ball carrier's flag falls off, the play will be whistled dead and the ball will be spotted where the flag fell off. Players are eligible to catch a pass or receive the ball by hand off, toss or pitch if their flag has fallen off but unable to advance. The play will be called dead where the player (with no flag) caught the ball.
• 1.4There are no fumbles, if a ball carrier loses possession / fumbles the ball and it touches the ground or into the hands of a defender, the play is whistled dead immediately and the ball is spotted where the player lost possession. If the QB doesn't gain possession of the ball during the snap, the ball will be placed at the line of scrimmage and result in a loss of down or turn over on downs. If an offensive player behind the line of scrimmage does not gain possession of a handoff, toss, pitch or lateral the ball will be placed at the last point of possession and result in a loss of down, turn over on downs, or safety if applicable.
• 1.5A play is ruled "dead" when:
  • An official blows their whistle.
  • Ball carrier's flag is pulled or ball carrier otherwise becomes illegal.
  • Ball carrier steps out of bounds
  • Points are scored.
  • When any part of the ball carrier's body, other than his hand or foot touches the ground.
  • When the ball touches the goal post assembly
  • When the ball touches an official (it shall be considered as having touched the ground).
  • When the flag of the player with possession of the ball falls off.
  • When a delay of Game, Delay of Pass, Diving, Flag Guarding / Jumping, Illegal Running Play, Illegal Snap, Illegal Forward Pass, or Interference penalty occurs.
• 1.6If an official inadvertently blows their whistle, the Head Official will give the affected team the option to let the play stand or repeat it. If the whistle blows inadvertently after an interception and the intercepting team is most affected (regardless of the time remaining on the clock), they can scrimmage the ball from the spot of the early whistle.
• 1.7If the Head Official cannot decide which team is adversely affected, the play shall be repeated.
• 1.8Any fouls which occur during the play and are allowed to stand will be administered as they would be in a regular play situation. Dead-ball fouls will be administered in all cases.