Unnecessary Roughness and Rough Play – Points of Application

Article 1

The distance penalties for Unnecessary Roughness and Rough Play will be applied in addition to the advantage of distance gained and score made. In addition to the distance, an automatic first down will be awarded to Team A for Unnecessary Roughness or Rough Play by Team B, unless it is part of a dual penalty where both infractions are UR or RP. The normal restrictions near the goal line do NOT apply to Unnecessary Roughness and Rough Play. The 15 yard penalty applied from the 16 yard line or closer will take the ball to the 1 yard line.

Article 2 – Scrimmage Plays – Foul before distance gained

The non-offending team shall have the option of having the penalty applied at PLS, DR or of allowing the play to stand and have the penalty applied at PBD, with downs continuing.

Article 3 – Scrimmage Play – Foul after distance gained

The non-offending team shall have the option of having the penalty applied at PBH at the time of the foul, or at the PBD. If the point of application selected results in distance gained, 1st Down will be awarded, the penalty applied, and it will be 1D and 10 at the point following the penalty application.

Article 4 – Change of Possession – Foul before change

Where a foul occurs during a play in which possession changes, before possession is gained, such as on a kick, intercepted forward pass, or fumble recovery -

• a) Foul before possession is lost Apply penalty at PLS, point of possession, or PBD at option of non-offending team.
• b) Ball in flight – Apply penalty at the point of possession or PBD.
• c) Loose Ball Apply penalty at PF or at the PP, or PBD as appropriate if the foul is in the area of recovery of the ball, or the recovery of the ball is affected.
• Apply penalty at PP if the foul was in an area remote from the point of recovery, where the foul did not affect the recovery of the ball, or at the PBD.

Article 5 – Change of Possession – Foul occurs after change

Where a foul occurs after possession has changed, the non -offending team shall have the option of having the penalty applied at the PBH at the time of the foul, or at the PBD.

Article 6 – UR or RP in end zone after change of possession

If the foul occurs after Team B has gained possession in their own end zone and the ball goes dead in the end zone (exception – Intercepted Forward Pass, Rule 6-4-11 (Forward Pass)).

a) UR or RP by Team A before ball is dead.

b) UR or RP by Team B before ball is dead.

Note: If the B infraction occurs on an intercepted FP by B in the end zone, Rule 6-4-11 (Forward Pass) applies.

c) UR or RP by Team A or B after the ball is dead.

Article 7 – Illegal Interference – Loose Ball

When an Unnecessary Roughness or Rough Play foul also constitutes illegal interference, affecting the recovery of a fumble or loose ball:

Note: First down is awarded for UR or RP by Team B (automatic) or is awarded for the Illegal Interference affecting the recovery of the loose ball by Team A.

Article 8 – Forward Pass

Where illegal interference also includes UR or RP:

The UR or RP penalty will be added to the distance penalty for illegal interference.

• Team A L15 PLS for Ill. Int., plus L15 for UR or L25 (RP), and DR
• Team B if PF is less than 15 from PLS L15 from PF for UR or L25 (RP) , and 1D
  • if PF is more than 15 from PLS L15 from PLS for Ill. Int., plus L15 for the UR or L25 (RP), and 1D
  • if PF is behind the PLS, L15 from PLS for UR or L25 (RP), and 1D

Article 9 – Convert

The penalty will be applied as follows:

• (a) Foul by Team A
  • 1. Convert successful Team B option
    • allow score, apply penalty on the kick off.
    • disallow score, apply penalty at PLS, and repeat convert.
    • disallow score, repeat convert at PLS, and apply penalty on the kick off.
  • 2. Convert unsuccessful L15 (or 25) on subsequent kick off.
• (b) Foul by Team B
  • 1. Convert successful Team A option
    • accept score, apply penalty on the kick off
    • decline score, apply penalty at PLS, and repeat convert
    • decline score, repeat convert at PLS, and apply penalty on the kick off.
  • 2. Convert unsuccessful Team A option
    • apply penalty at PLS and repeat convert
    • repeat convert at PLS and apply penalty in the kick off

Article 10 – Score

• a) Foul by Team A before score B option L15 PLS DR, or PBH if the foul occurs after distance gained, or allow score and apply the penalty on subsequent play.
• b) Foul by Team B before score A option plus 15 PLS 1D, or PBH if the foul occurs after distance gained, or accept score and apply the penalty on subsequent play.
• c) Foul by Team A or Team B after score. The score is allowed and the penalty will be applied on the subsequent play.

Note: In (a), (b) and (c), if the subsequent play is a convert attempt, the penalty may be applied on the convert or on the kick off following the convert attempt.

Article 11 – After the Ball is Dead

When the foul occurs after the ball has been declared dead, the down has been used, and the penalty shall be applied at the PBD.

• 1.2 D Penalty applied at PBD, downs continue (unless the required distance is gained by the play or the penalty is against Team B).
• 3D DG Penalty applied at PBD, Team A 1st D and 10.
  • DNG Continuity of downs interrupted. Ball awarded to Team B. Penalty applied at PBD Team B 1D and 10.

Note: Piling on is a foul which occurs after the ball is dead. If this occurs on a 3rd D, when DNG, the ball is automatically awarded to Team B when it becomes dead. The piling on foul cannot award the ball back to Team A, so the penalty of the automatic 1st down does not apply.