Out of Bounds

Article 1 – Definition

The ball is out of bounds when:

• a) It touches any boundary line, or the ground or any object on or beyond these lines, including an official, any player or substitute.
• b) A player in possession of the ball touches any boundary line, or the ground or any object beyond these lines, except a field official or another player who is out of bounds, while the ball carrier is fully in bounds.

Article 2 – Carried Out of Bounds

When the ball is carried out of bounds on the field of play; it shall belong to the team carrying it out of bounds, at the point where the ball crossed the line before it went out of bounds, except on third down when the required distance has not been gained.

Article 3 – Kicked Out of Bounds

a) When the ball is kicked out of bounds on the field of play, it shall belong to the opposite team, subject to the option of penalty applicable on the play.

b) When a player kicks a ball out of bounds in their own end zone, it will result in a score of 1 or 2 points, unless the ball is in the end zone from a forward pass intercepted in the end zone, or as a result of a fumble into the end zone by an opponent.

Article 4 – Forward Pass Thrown Out of Bounds

A ball thrown out of bounds on a forward pass shall remain in possession of the passing team, except on third down when the required distance has not been gained.

Article 5 – Last Touched

With the exception of Article 4 above, a ball which is fumbled out of bounds, or touches a player in the field of play and then goes out of bounds, shall belong to the team which last touched the ball, 24 yards (22 metres) in from the sideline at whichever point is closer to the goal line of the team entitled to possession, as follows:

• a) where the ball went out of bounds, OR
• b) where the ball was last touched in the field of play.

Note: Rulings on kicked ball blocked out of bounds – See Rule 5, Section 3, Articles 3, 4.

Article 6 – Into End Zone

• a) When a player fumbles the ball from the field of play directly over the opponent's goal line and then out of bounds in the end zone without the ball touching an opponent, it shall be ruled as a fumble, out of bounds, in the field of play, with the ball declared dead at the point where it was last touched in the field of play.
• b) When a player fumbles the ball over the opponent's goal line, and it is last touched by a team mate without gaining possession and then goes out of bounds in the end zone, the ball shall be awarded to the team making the fumble, at the point of the original fumble.
• c) When a player fumbles the ball over the opponent's goal line, where it is recovered by an opponent, or it is last touched by an opponent without gaining possession, and then goes out of bounds in the end zone, there shall be no score and the ball shall be awarded to the opponent, at any point on or between the hash marks on the 20 yard (20 metre) line if the ball goes dead in the end zone. Exception – Blocked Kick – Rule 5, Section 3, Article 4 (Blocked Kick)
• d) When a player fumbles or directs the ball from the field of play into their own end zone, where the ball goes out of bounds without possession being gained by either team, a safety touch shall be awarded.

Note: If the team recovering the fumble in its own end zone commits a foul while attempting to advance the ball out of the end zone, there shall be no score and the penalty shall be applied at the 20 yard (20 metre) line (UR, RP etc., may be applied at PBD).

Article 7 – From End Zone

• a) When a player fumbles the ball in their own end zone, to out of bounds in the end zone, even if touched by another player, a score of 1 or 2 points shall be awarded as applicable (NOTE 1).
• b) When a player fumbles the ball from their own end zone, over the goal line, and then out of bounds, without the ball touching an opponent, it shall be ruled as an offside pass in the end zone (Note 1).

Note 1: Exception – no score in (a) or (b) if the ball is in the end zone from a forward pass intercepted in the end zone, or as a result of a fumble into the end zone by an opponent, or if the ball carrier has been knocked back into the end zone by an opponent and is not subsequently free to advance the ball.

Article 8 – Player Out of Bounds

It is illegal for a player to go out of bounds and return to the field and participate in the play unless that player went out of bounds as a result of:

• a) a slippery field
• b) contact with an opponent; or
• c) a missed block or tackle.

The player is allowed to return to the field and participate in the play but must re-establish themself in the field of play with at least one foot in bounds and no contact with out of bounds.

It is illegal for an out-of-bounds player to reach back into or re-enter the field of play to touch or recover a loose ball.

If a player from either team illegally participates by going out of bounds on a Kick-off before possession has been legally gained

If a player from either team illegally participates by going out of bounds after possession has been legally gained on a Kick-off:

If a player of Team B reaches back into the field of play while still out of bounds and touches a kickoff.