Dead Ball

Article 1

The ball becomes dead when:

• a) A field official blows the whistle to end play (NOTE 4).
• b) The ball, or a player with possession of the ball, goes out of bounds.
• c) Any score is made.
• d) The ball carrier is tackled, held and the forward progress has been halted. (See Notes 1, 2, 3)
• e) A forward pass is declared incomplete, or it strikes a game official, the goal post assembly, downs box marker or distance chain rod.
• f) It is in possession of a player lying on the ground or is being held by a player for a kick off, prior to the kick off.
• g) It strikes the opponent's goal post assembly in flight from a punt, return kick, place kick or kick off without touching the ground, a player or an official after being kicked, provided that such kick originated in the field of play. When this occurs on a field goal or convert attempt, the play shall be whistled dead, but the ball will remain alive until the score is made or missed.
• h) Any part of a ball carrier, other than hands or feet, touches the ground, even without contact by an opponent. The ball will be declared dead AT THE POINT WHERE IT WAS HELD when the ball carrier touched the ground.
  • Exception: The ball is not dead when a player is holding the ball for a field goal or convert attempt. The player holding the ball for a field goal or convert attempt may receive the snap with their knee down, then stand up to throw, run, lateral or kick the ball.
• i) If the ball carrier falls on a player who is on the ground, the ball shall be declared dead at that point, except if they are in the close line play area.
• j) Immediately if ball carrier loses their helmet.
• k) A ball carrier begins, simulates, or fakes a foot-first slide.

Note 1: When a ball carrier is tackled and driven back toward their own goal line, it is assumed that the ball carrier was attempting to advance the ball, and that only the contact with the opponent prevented the advance. Therefore, the most forward point of advance is considered to be the point where the ball became dead.

Note 2: If the ball carrier who is contacted by the opponent breaks the tackle and in this effort to advance the ball, retreats toward their own goal line, the point of advance where the ball becomes dead is considered as the point at which the ball carrier is subsequently held.

Note 3: When a player is carrying the ball out of their end zone, and the player is contacted by an opponent, so that the force of the opponent's contact drives them back into their end zone, but the player is not held, the player is still free to advance the ball. If the ball subsequently goes dead in their end zone, in the team's possession, without having again left the end zone, the defending team shall be awarded 1 or 2 points, as applicable.

If the ball is subsequently carried out of the end zone, the forward point of advance will be the point where the ball becomes dead.

Note 4: When the whistle is blown inadvertently:

• 1. With a team in possession, the team in possession shall have the choice to:
  • i) cancel the current play and repeat it where it began (PLS or kick-off) or
  • ii) have the play terminate at the PBH when the whistle was blown, downs continue if distance not gained.
  • Note: If in air on a pass play, repeat from PLS no option.
• 2. With the ball not in possession of either team but where a team was previously in possession, the ball will be returned to the team last in possession and that team will have the choice to:
  • i) cancel the current play and repeat it where it began (PLS or kick-off) or
  • ii) have the play terminate at the point of last possession
• 3. On any scrimmage or return kick play with the ball not in possession of either team, the receiving team shall have the choice to:
  • i) cancel the current play and repeat it where it began (PLS) or
  • ii)take possession of the ball at the point it strikes the ground, a player, or goes out of bounds in flight.
  • Note: If on a return kick from the end zone where ball hits the goal post assembly, repeat play from PLS no option
• 4. With the ball not in possession and neither team had previous possession (i.e. on kick-off prior to possession) then the play will be repeated from previous spot, no option
• 5. Any fouls which occur during the play, if accepted, will be administered as they would in a regular play situation on which no whistle had been blown.
• 6. But in the official's judgment the result of the play was not affected, then the play will stand with the expected result. Examples of this include inadvertent whistles that occur:
  • i) while the ball is in the air on a successful field goal, or an unsuccessful field goal which leaves the end zone in flight,
  • ii) while the ball is in the air on a punt attempt that leaves the field of play or end zone in flight.
• 7. On a play during which time expires at the end of the second or fourth quarters, one additional play will be allowed. (exception 5).