This is part 10 of a multi-part series that will discuss the rule and case references used to arrive at the correct answers on the multiple choice IHSA Football Exam (PI). The series will run through the final testing day (September 5, 2011) and be comprised of 10 separate articles that will ultimately address all 50 questions in the IHSA test bank. The 5 questions appearing in each individual post will be selected at random. While many of the questions will have a single rule or case reference that can be used to discern the correct answer, some will require the ability to combine and apply multiple rules to arrive at the correct answer.

When page numbers are given after rule references, you can refer to the corresponding pages in the 2011 NFHS Football Rule Book. When page numbers are given after case plays, please refer to the corresponding pages in the 2011 NFHS Football Case Book. When unsure if a rule or case play is being referenced, please keep in mind that rules are referenced with dashes (e.g. 1-5-1) and case plays are referenced with dots (e.g. 10.1.2).

Without further ado, let’s get started on the exam questions:

Q18

After the halftime intermission expires, when must the referee start the three-minute mandatory warm-up period?

A. once either team has returned to the field
B. once both teams have returned to the field
C. immediately
D. once either team has started warm-up exercises

While some will debate whether or not this was a rule change or a clarification, the NFHS considers it a 2009 rule change. The change mandated that the clock be started immediately at the conclusion of the half time period.

The mandatory three-minute warm-up period begins immediately following the conclusion of the halftime intermission. The head coach of each team is responsible for his team being on the field for the warm-up period.

The change was to the table in Rule 3-1 (p. 39).

Answer C. immediately

Q8

The game is tied and after the last play of the fourth quarter, defender B50 is flagged for a late hit. Team A wins the toss in overtime and elects to go on defense first. Team B will begin overtime:

A. 1st and goal from the 10-yard line; fouls can never carry over from regulation to overtime.
B. 1st and goal from the 25-yard line; dead ball fouls can carry over from regulation to overtime.
C. the officials made an error; Team A should have been given one untimed down in regulation due to Team B’s foul
D. there is no penalty as time has expired

In the resolving tied games section of the NFHS rulebook (p. 88), this exact scenario is covered.

3.1.1 SITUATION B: During the last timed down of the fourth period A1 advances for a touchdown making the score B-22 and A-20. On the try A2 passes complete to A3 in the end zone. Following the try B1 commits an unsportsmanlike foul. Ruling: The penalty for the foul by B1 after the successful try will be administered from the succeeding spot to begin overtime play. Comment: In this situation the referee should explain to the captains at the time of the coin toss the fact the penalty will be administered on the first series of downs in the overtime. The place from which the ball will be put in play for each team could have an effect on the choice made by the winner of the toss.

Since B will be on offence first in overtime, the penalty will be enforced from the 10-yard line and take the ball to the 25-yard line.  It will be first and goal.

Answer B. 1st and goal from the 25-yard line; dead ball fouls can carry over from regulation to overtime.

Q30

A kicking tee made of pliable material may elevate the ball no more than:

A. 1/2 inch above the ground
B. 1 inch above the ground
C. 2 inches above the ground
D. 3 inches above the ground

Rule 1-3-4 (p. 15) defines a legal kicking tee.

A kicking tee shall be made of pliable material which elevates the lowest point of the ball no more than 2 inches above the ground.

Answer C. 2 inches above the ground

Q25

A simultaneous catch of a forward pass occurs when:

A. the players’ contact with the ground is simultaneous
B. opposing players have simultaneous joint possession
C. Player B83 strips possession of the ball from A88 following a forward pass
D. Player A81 catches the ball inbounds at the same time as B89, who is standing on the sideline

Rule 2-4-3 addresses what constitutes a simultaneous catch.

A simultaneous catch or recovery is a catch or recovery in which there is joint possession of a live ball by opposing players who are inbounds.

Answer B. opposing players have simultaneous joint possession

Q43

Which of these offensive linemen may be in the neutral zone at the snap?

A. end
B. tackle
C. guard
D. center/snapper

Rule 7-1-5 addresses this particular question.

No player, other than the snapper, shall encroach on the neutral zone after the ball is marked ready for play by touching the ball or an opponent or by being in the neutral zone to give defensive signals.

Answer D. center/snapper

This takes us through all of the 50 questions in the IHSA sample bank.  As always if you have any comments or questions regarding the questions covered or simply think I’ve go something wrong, please let me know either via comment or email.

This is part 9 of a multi-part series that will discuss the rule and case references used to arrive at the correct answers on the multiple choice IHSA Football Exam (PI). The series will run through the final testing day (September 5, 2011) and be comprised of 10 separate articles that will ultimately address all 50 questions in the IHSA test bank. The 5 questions appearing in each individual post will be selected at random. While many of the questions will have a single rule or case reference that can be used to discern the correct answer, some will require the ability to combine and apply multiple rules to arrive at the correct answer.

When page numbers are given after rule references, you can refer to the corresponding pages in the 2011 NFHS Football Rule Book. When page numbers are given after case plays, please refer to the corresponding pages in the 2011 NFHS Football Case Book. When unsure if a rule or case play is being referenced, please keep in mind that rules are referenced with dashes (e.g. 1-5-1) and case plays are referenced with dots (e.g. 10.1.2).

Without further ado, let’s get started on the exam questions:

Q48

All fouls are enforced from the basic spot except for those fouls which occur where?

A. out of bounds
B. defensive fouls in the end zone
C. fouls outside the free blocking zone
D. fouls by the offense behind the basic spot during a loose ball play or running play

Rule 10-6 (p. 77) discusses the all-but-one principle.

Unless otherwise listed in Section 4 and 5, a penalty for a foul occurring during a play is enforced from the basic spot with the exception of a foul by the offense which occurs behind the basic spot during a loose ball play or running play. This particular foul is enforced from the spot of the foul.

Answer D. fouls by the offense behind the basic spot during a loose ball play or running play

Q40

What must occur for Team K to execute a legal scrimmage kick?

A. team K must be in legal scrimmage kick formation
B. the scrimmage kick must be completed beyond the neutral zone
C. the scrimmage kick occurs after team possession has changed
D. the scrimmage kick must occur behind the neutral zone

There is no requirement that team K must be in a legal scrimmage kick formation to execute a legal scrimmage kick according to Rule 6-2-1 (p. 53).

K may punt, drop kick or place kick from in or behind the neutral zone before team possession has changed. It is not necessary to be in a scrimmage kick formation to execute a legal scrimmage kick. K may not punt, drop kick or place kick from beyond the neutral zone. R may not punt, drop kick or place kick.

Answer D. the scrimmage kick must occur behind the neutral zone

Q27

Which of the following is not a multiple foul?

A. A33 is moving forward at the snap and A81 pushes off while running his pass route
B. B60 head slaps A50 and B24 tackles A22 by his facemask
C. A50 holds on a TD run by A21, then, the coach for team A gets an unsportsmanlike penalty
D. A62 holds B50, A62 then blocks B60 below the waist

Rule 2-16-2 (e) (p. 29) defines a multiple foul:

Multiple—two or more live-ball fouls (other than nonplayer or unsportsmanlike) are committed during the same down by the same team at such a time that the offended team is permitted a choice of penalties.

The only option that does not fall under that definition is answer C which is one live ball foul and one non-player unsportsmanlike conduct foul.

Answer C. A50 holds on a TD run by A21, then, the coach for team A gets an unsportsmanlike penalty

Q2

Player B27 intercepts a ball in his own end zone. While attempting to run the ball out, he is hit from behind and fumbles while still in the end zone. The ball is fumbled forward and rolls out of bounds at Team B’s 2-yard line. The correct call is:

A. safety; award Team A two points
B. touchback; 1st and 10 for Team B at the 20-yard line
C. award possession to Team A; first and goal for Team A at the 2-yard line
D. 1st and 10 for Team B at the 2-yard line

First we should determine the dead ball spot and the team in possession at the end of the down.

The dead ball spot is clearly team B’s 2-yard line.  The fact that the fumble was forward could not matter less.  When trying to determine who was in possession at the end of the down it is important to remember that once B27 has possession of this ball with clean hands, they will retain possession (barring another change of possession).

Since we have a dead ball spot at B’s 2-yard line, we cannot have a safety (Rule 8-5-2 [p. 66-67]) or a touchback (Rule 8-5-3 [p. 67]). We’ve also determined that B had possession at the end of the down, so there is no reason to award the ball to team A. The correct answer is 1st and 10 for team B at the 2-yard line.

Answer D. 1st and 10 for Team B at the 2-yard line

Q17

Third and 10 for A from B’s 40-yard line. Player A1 gains 10 yards and is downed on B’s 30. A2 taunts B1 during the run at the 35-yard line. After the penalty is enforced the situation is:

A. A’s ball, 1st and 15 from B’s 45-yard line
B. A’s ball, 2nd and 15 from B’s 45-yard line
C. A’s ball, 1st and 10 from B’s 45-yard line
D. A’s ball, 1st and 20 from the 50-yard line

Another penalty enforcement related question.

This one not only tests your knowledge of determining the basic spot, but also tests your knowledge regarding when a new series is awarded.

The taunting foul is considered non-contact unsportsmanlike conduct (USC) by a player according to Rule 9-5-1 (a) (p. 70). Rule 10-4-5 (a) (p. 76) tells us that the basic spot on USC foul is always the succeeding spot. Since the succeeding spot was B’s 30, the 15 yard penalty for USC will be enforced from that spot.

We’ve determined that A will have the ball on B’s 45 yard line, but has A earned a new series?

5.1.2 SITUATION C in the case book addresses a similar play:

Third and 10 for A from B’s 40-yard line. A1 gains 10 yards and is downed on B’s 30. A2 taunts B1 during the run. RULING: Since the liveball action gave A a new series, the line to gain shall be established after A is penalized for A2’s unsportsmanlike act. It will be first and 10 for A from B’s 45-yard line.

In this play, the live ball action gave A a new series.  It will be A’s ball 1st and 10 from B’s 45-yard line.

Answer C. A’s ball, 1st and 10 from B’s 45-yard line

This takes us through 45 of the 50 questions in the IHSA sample bank.  As always if you have any comments or questions regarding the questions covered or simply think I’ve go something wrong, please let me know either via comment or email.

This is part 7 of a multi-part series that will discuss the rule and case references used to arrive at the correct answers on the multiple choice IHSA Football Exam (PI). The series will run through the final testing day (September 5, 2011) and be comprised of 10 separate articles that will ultimately address all 50 questions in the IHSA test bank. The 5 questions appearing in each individual post will be selected at random. While many of the questions will have a single rule or case reference that can be used to discern the correct answer, some will require the ability to combine and apply multiple rules to arrive at the correct answer.

When page numbers are given after rule references, you can refer to the corresponding pages in the 2011 NFHS Football Rule Book. When page numbers are given after case plays, please refer to the corresponding pages in the 2011 NFHS Football Case Book. When unsure if a rule or case play is being referenced, please keep in mind that rules are referenced with dashes (e.g. 1-5-1) and case plays are referenced with dots (e.g. 10.1.2).

Without further ado, let’s get started on the exam questions:

Q45

A complete pass is a pass

A. caught by an ineligible receiver
B. which touches the ground
C. which goes out of bounds
D. possessed by a player in the air who first lands out of bounds

Rule 7-5-4 is used to determine whether or not a pass is complete.  The rule states that “a forward pass, legal or illegal, is complete and the ball may be advanced when caught by any player of A or B”.

Answer A. caught by an ineligible receiver

Q31

Touching refers to:

A. stepping on a sideline
B. catching the ball
C. any contact with the ball
D. none of the above

Rule 2-44 defines touching.  It is defined as:

Touching refers to any contact with the ball, i.e., either by touching or being touched by it. Touching by an official in the field of play or end zone is ignored.

Answer C. any contact with the ball

Q26

Quarterback A1 drops back to pass, but is unable to find a receiver. It is legal for A1 to:

A. throw the ball to the ground at the feet of an oncoming defensive lineman
B. throw a backward pass out-of-bounds
C. throw a forward pass over the head of onrushing defensive lineman with no eligible receivers nearby
D. throw the ball away as long as he is outside either offensive tackle

There are no restrictions on a backward pass.  All of the others are specifically prohibited in Rule 7-5-2 (p. 59).

Answer B. throw a backward pass out-of-bounds

Q11

The tooth and mouth protector shall be any readily visible color except:

A. pink
B. black
C. completely white or clear
D. red

Rule 1-5-1 (p. 17-20) discusses mandatory player equipment.  According to rule 1-5-1 (c) [5] (c) [1,2] the tooth and mouth protector shall not be completely white or completely clear.

Answer C. completely white or clear

Q5

Team A is leading late in the game with the game clock running. While they are attempting to snap the ball, a delay of game foul is called. After the accepted penalty, the clock should start on the:

A. ready for play signal, since the clock was running before the foul
B. ready for play signal, with no exception
C. snap, only if the officials believe that Team A was trying to run time off the clock
D. snap, with no exception

Rule 3-4-3 (p. 42) discusses when the clock should be started with the snap. 3-4-3 (i) states that the clock should be started with the snap if the penalty for a delay of game foul is accepted. Since the penalty was accepted in play in question, the clock should start with the snap with no exception.

Answer D. snap, with no exception

This takes us through 35 of the 50 questions in the IHSA sample bank.  As always if you have any comments or questions regarding the questions covered or simply think I’ve go something wrong, please let me know either via comment or email.

This is part 6 of a multi-part series that will discuss the rule and case references used to arrive at the correct answers on the multiple choice IHSA Football Exam (PI). The series will run through the final testing day (September 5, 2011) and be comprised of 10 separate articles that will ultimately address all 50 questions in the IHSA test bank. The 5 questions appearing in each individual post will be selected at random. While many of the questions will have a single rule or case reference that can be used to discern the correct answer, some will require the ability to combine and apply multiple rules to arrive at the correct answer.

When page numbers are given after rule references, you can refer to the corresponding pages in the 2011 NFHS Football Rule Book. When page numbers are given after case plays, please refer to the corresponding pages in the 2011 NFHS Football Case Book. When unsure if a rule or case play is being referenced, please keep in mind that rules are referenced with dashes (e.g. 1-5-1) and case plays are referenced with dots (e.g. 10.1.2).

Without further ado, let’s get started on the exam questions:

Q21

With 4th and 4 from the 50-yard line, Player A1 runs to B’s 40 and throws an incomplete forward pass. If B accepts the penalty for the illegal forward pass, the situation is:

A. B’s ball, 1st and 10 from the 50-yard line
B. B’s ball, 1st and 10 from B’s 40-yard line
C. A’s ball, 1st and 10 from B’s 40-yard line
D. A’s ball, 1st and 10 from B’s 45-yard line

The enforcement spot for an illegal forward pass is the spot from which the pass is thrown according to Rule 7-5-3 (p. 60). The enforcement spot is B’s 40-yard line so the five yard penalty will result in the ball being placed on B’s 45 yard line. At this point we can deduce that D is the answer since it if the only answer that has the ball place on the correct yard line.

Since the ball is beyond the line to gain (LTG) at the end of the down, A is awarded a new series.

It is important to remember that a loss of down is the loss of the right to replay a down.  The loss of down provision has no significance if the line to gain is reached after enforcement.

Answer D. A’s ball, 1st and 10 from B’s 45-yard line

Q36

A substitute becomes a player when he enters the field and:

A. communicates with a teammate or official
B. enters a huddle
C. is positioned in a formation
D. all of the above

Rule 2-32-15 discusses when a substitute becomes a player.

A substitute becomes a player when he enters the field and communicates with a teammate or an official, enters the huddle, is positioned in a formation or participates in the play.

Since A, B & C are all correct; the answer is D.

Answer D. all of the above

Q42

A request for measurement may be granted when:

A. requested by a captain prior to the ball being marked ready for play
B. after the ball has been reset following a play that ended outside of the hash marks
C. requested by the captain after the ball has been marked ready for play
D. requested by a coach

Rule 5-3-2 [NOTE] (p. 51) states that “a measurement may be requested by the captain prior to the ball being marked ready for play, but it may be denied if, in the referee’s opinion, it is obvious the line to gain has or has not been reached”.

Answer A. requested by a captain prior to the ball being marked ready for play

Q6

First and goal for Team A on the 5-yard line. Defender B70 comes on to the field to replace B12. However, B12 realizes that he can’t get to his sideline before the snap, so he exits the field through the end line of the end zone and is moving toward his team box out of bounds when the ball is snapped. The correct call is:

A. foul for illegal substitution; this is a live ball foul and the play should be allowed to continue
B. foul for illegal substitution; this is a dead ball foul as soon as B12 crosses the end line
C. legal play as B12 left the field and was moving toward his team box
D. none of the above

Rule 3-7-2 (p. 45) states that “a player, replaced player or a substitute is required to leave the field at the side on which his team box is located and go directly to his team box”.  The penalty prescribed for article 2 is a dead ball illegal substitution foul.

Answer B. foul for illegal substitution; this is a dead ball foul as soon as B12 crosses the end line

Q19

A period must be extended by an untimed down if, during the last timed down:

A. Team A’s penalty for pass interference was accepted
B. the only penalty during the down was declined
C. the visiting coach’s unsportsmanlike foul was accepted
D. an inadvertent whistle was sounded

Rule 3-3-3 (p. 41) states when a period must be extended by an untimed down.  3-3-3 (c) states that the period must be extended if there was an inadvertent whistle.

Answer D. an inadvertent whistle was sounded

This takes us through 30 of the 50 questions in the IHSA sample bank.  As always if you have any comments or questions regarding the questions covered or simply think I’ve go something wrong, please let me know either via comment or email.

Due to the high risk of injuries that exist when being contacted while in a kicking motion, kickers are afforded special protections when kicking the ball.

Rule 9-4-5 (p. 69-70) mandates that defenders shall neither run into the kicker (which is contact that displaces the kicker or holder without roughing); nor block, tackle or charge into the kicker of a scrimmage kick, or the place-kick holder.

However, there are 4 exceptions:

• Contact that is unavoidable because it is not reasonably certain that a kick will be made is legal.
• Contact made when the defense touches the kick near the kicker and contact is unavoidable is legal.
• Contact is slight and is partially caused by movement of the kicker is legal.
• Contact is caused by R being blocked into the kicker or holder by K.

Roughing the kicker fouls simply come down to the referee’s judgement.  He must first decide whether there was exempting action that occurred.  With no exemption, the referee must decide if the contact was nothing, running into the kicker or roughing the kicker.

The following plays illustrate some of the nuances of 9-4-5.

Assuming no exception, this contact would clearly constitue roughing the kicker.

However, we must consider whether or not it the contact occurred because the defender is not reasonably certain that a kick will be made.  Since the kicker fumbled the snap and was still bobbling the ball when the defender committed to his charge, I do not believe he was reasonably certain that a kick would be made.

I do not believe that a foul occurred on this play. This was a great “no call”.

When a kicker gets wiped out like this and there is no flag on the ground, you are likely going to hear about it. This is a situation where knowing and using the “rule book language” is invaluable. Let the coach(es) know that you believe that the defender could not have been reasonably certain that a kick would be made given the kickers difficulties handling the ball and the contact was unavoidable.

While this video does a good job of illustrating contact that displaces the kicker or holder without roughing, I’m not in love with the call. It appears to me that R25 was rushing to a spot in front of the kicker and was blocked into the kicker by K33.

With contact this slight and K33′s actions, I would have gone with no call here.

It doesn’t get any easier than this play.

The defender was clearly aware of the impending kick.  He clearly did not make contact with the ball in the vicinity of the kicker. The contact was not slight as was in no way caused by the actions of the kicker. The defender was not blocked into the kicker.

Roughing the kicker is clearly the correct call in this situation.