THE CANADIAN RULE BOOK FOR AMATEUR TACKLE FOOTBALL  

RULE 8 -APPLICATION OF PENALTIES 

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS

Article 1  

Penalties shall fall into the following categories: 

(a)                 Loss of Down
(b)                 Loss of Distance
(c)                 Option Penalties
(d)                 Penalties after Legal Gains
(e)                 Restricted Penalties
(f)                  Penalties in End Zone
(g)                 Disqualification
(h)                 Unnecessary Roughness and Rough Play Penalties
(i)                   Dual and Double Penalties 

Article 2 – Loss of a Down  

In any penalty, loss of a down (LD) means that the down upon which the foul occurred has used up one of the series of  3 consecutive downs permitted. 

Article 3 – Loss of Distance 

Distance penalties of varying lengths may be assessed for various infractions.  For any foul calling for a distance penalty, there shall be no loss of down. Exception – Unnecessary Roughness, Rough Play, Objectionable Conduct, and Playing without a mouth guard. 

Article 4 – Option Provided  

(a)              When a foul has been committed on any play, the non-offending team shall be entitled to the penalty, or the option of declining the penalty to take any advantage of field position, score, down, time, etc.  The non-offending team may decline a score to accept a penalty, or may decline a penalty to allow a score in order to gain an advantage from field position, or may allow a score to gain an advantage from a better point of application of a penalty such as UR. 

(b)              In certain cases, where so stated, a penalty shall be applied without the necessity of choosing an option.  This gives the non-offending team the advantage of the play in addition to the penalty. These cases include fouls such as Unnecessary Roughness, Rough Play, Objectionable Conduct, and No Mouthguard, etc.. 

(c)              A team may decline the distance for any penalty, including those covered in 4 (b) above, if they feel the application of the distance would not be advantageous to them. The non-offending team may decline the penalty for any foul which occurs after the ball has been snapped, during the final play of a period, in order to terminate the period. 

(d)              Once the captain entitled to the option has made the choice of accepting or declining the penalty, the choice may not be revoked. 

(e)               When dual fouls occur, one or both penalties may be refused. Exception – Unnecessary Roughness, Rough Play, Objectionable Conduct, No Mouthguard.  The first option shall be given to the Team against whom the first foul occurred. 

(f)                The disqualification penalty cannot be declined by the non-offending team, but immediate legal substitution is permitted.  The disqualification shall be entered in the Referee’s report to the appropriate league authority. 

SECTION 2. PENALTIES AND LEGAL GAINS 

Article 1 – After First Down Gained  

If Team A or Team B commits a foul on a scrimmage play after Team A has legally gained the distance for 1st down, the penalty shall be applied from the point where the ball was held when the foul occurred, and 1st down awarded at the point where the ball is placed after the penalty application, with 10 to go.

Article 2 – Before First Down Gained  

If Team A commits a foul on a scrimmage play prior to gaining the distance for 1st down, the penalty shall be applied form the PLS, with the down repeated. 

Article 3 – After Change of Possession  

If a team legally obtains possession of the ball by a pass interception, recovered fumble, received kick, and then commits a foul, the penalty shall be applied from the point where the ball was held when the foul occurred and 1st down awarded at the point where the ball is placed after the penalty application, 10 to go. 

Article 4 – After Loss of Possession  

(a)       Kick – If either team commits a foul while the ball is “in Flight”, the penalty shall be applied at the point of possession by the team, which legally gains possession.  Those penalties which are normally applied without option may be applied at PBD at the option of the non-offending team. 

(b)       Loose Ball – If the foul directly affects the recovery of the ball, the ball will be awarded to the non-offending team
           at the PF. 

If the foul occurs in an area remote from the loose ball, the penalty will be applied at the PLS, if the foul occurs during a scrimmage play before the required distance is gained, and at the point of possession in other situations.

Article 5 – After the Ball is Dead  

If either Team commits a foul after the ball is dead, it shall be ignored unless it is Rough Play, Unnecessary Roughness, or Objectionable Conduct, which will be applied at the appropriate spot.  If such a foul occurs after a score, the score shall count, and the foul shall be ignored unless it is Rough Play, Unnecessary Roughness, or Objectionable Conduct, which will be applied on the subsequent scrimmage play, convert, or kick off at the option of the non-offending team.  There is no option to decline the score since the infraction  occurred during the dead ball period following the score. 

SECTION 3. RESTRICTIONS NEAR THE GOAL LINE 

Article 1 – Inside 30 Yard Line  

A yardage penalty applied within 30 yards of the offending team’s goal line, shall not exceed one half the distance between the point from which the penalty is applied and that goal line. 

Exception:    -   pass interference
                    -  double penalties involving UR, RP Objectionable Conduct, or No Mouthguard, including double penalties
                        which form part of a dual penalty.   
The ball shall not be scrimmaged within the 1 yard line. 

Article 2 – Outside 30 Yard Line  

A 25 yard penalty applied from a point outside the offending team’s 30 yard line shall not advance the ball closer than that team’s 15 yard line.   

Exception: - double penalties involving UR, RP, Objectionable Conduct or No Mouthguard.

Article 3 – Distance Gained by Restricted Penalty

If an restricted penalty would have resulted in distance gained, or the goal line reached by Team A, a first down shall be awarded. 

Article 4 – Infraction on Own 1 Yard Line.  

(a)           Team A – when PLS is the A 1, and Team A commits any infraction

Penalty: 1.2D – LD, 3D – DR.  

(b)          Team B – where PLS is the B 1 yard line and Team B commits any infraction

Penalty: 1D at 1 yard line to Team A  

SECTION 4. FOULS IN END ZONE

Note: A rouge (1 point) will be awarded under this article, if the ball has been kicked into the end zone.

Article 1 – Fouls in Own End Zone  

(a)                 Team A 

             1.  If Team A commits a foul in its own end zone while in possession of the ball within its own end zone, Team B
                  shall be awarded a rouge or a safety touch (1 or 2 points) as applicable, or option.

             2.     If Team A makes an offside pass in its own end zone, and retains possession of the ball, Team B shall be
                   awarded a Rouge or a safety touch (1 or 2 points) as applicable, or option. 

             3.     If a kicked ball lands and is loose in the end zone before possession is gained by A, and Team A commits a
                  foul in its own end zone, Team B shall be awarded a rouge (1 point) or option. 

             4       If an A player fumbles the ball in his own end zone, and while the ball is loose, Team A commits Illegal
                   Interference, thus preventing Team B from gaining possession of the ball in the end zone: 

Penalty: Team B may accept a rouge or a safety touch (1 or 2 points) as applicable OR
               Team B may take possession of the ball as 1st down at the PLS or the 10 yard line, whichever is closer
               to the goal line.
 

(b)                 Team B 

1.        If Team B commits a foul in its own end zone, while in possession of the ball Team A shall be awarded a rouge or safety touch ( 1 or 2 points) as applicable (Exception – see interception in End Zone
( Rule 6 Section 4, Article 11).
 

2.                  If Team B makes an offside pass in its own end zone, after receiving a Team A kick in the end zone, Team A shall be awarded a rouge, or option. 

3.                  If Team B makes an offside pass in its own end zone, while intercepting or after intercepting a Team A forward pass, there is no score.  If the ball goes dead in the end zone, Team B shall scrimmage at the B 10.  If the ball goes dead in the field of play, Team B shall scrimmage at the PBD or at the B 10 at the option of Team A. 

4.                  If a kicked ball lands and is loose in the end zone before possession is gained by B and Team B commits a foul in its own end zone, Team A shall be awarded a rouge (1 point) or option. 

5.                  If the ball is loose in the Team B end zone, and Team B commits illegal interference, thus preventing Team A from gaining possession of the ball in the end zone: 

Penalty:  Team A may take possession of the ball as 1st down at the B 10, or at the PLS whichever is closer to
    the B goal line, or accept any score in the event that Team A recovers the ball , or accept a score of 1
    or 2 points as applicable and B will put the ball into play in the manner required, or decline the penalty
    and allow Team B to scrimmage at the PBD if B advances the ball into the field of play.    

Article 2 – Fouls in Opponents’ End Zone.  

(a)      Team A 

          1.      If Team A commits a foul in the Team B end zone on a play from scrimmage, the penalty shall be applied as
                though the foul has occurred on the field of play. 

          2.      If the kicking team commits a “restraining zone” foul in the receiving team’s end zone, the receiving team shall
                scrimmage at their 15-yard line.
Exception: (Rule 5 Section 4 Article 3(i))

          3.       If the ball is loose in the Team B end zone, and Team A commits illegal interference, thus preventing Team B
                from gaining possession of the ball in the end zone: 

Penalty:  No score, B scrimmage 1D at B 10.  

(b)              Team B 

           1.        If Team B commits a foul in the team A end zone on a play from scrimmage, the penalty shall be applied as
                  though the foul had occurred on the field of play. 

           2.         If an A player fumbles the ball in his own end zone, and while the ball is loose, Team B commits illegal
                   interference, thus preventing Team A from regaining possession in the end zone: 

Penalty:  No Score by B.  Automatic 1st down for Team A at PLS, or at the 10 yard line, at the option of Team
                A.
 

Article 3 – Foul in End Zone after Intercepted Pass  

See (Rule 6, Section 4, Article 11) 

Article 4 – Foul with Ball in End Zone  

(a)               If Team A commits a foul on the field of play while the ball is in the A end zone, the penalty shall be applied from the PLS (Except UR, RP, etc.). 

(b)               If Team B commits a foul on the field of play while the ball is in the B end zone, the penalty shall be applied from the B 10 Yard line (Except UR, RP, etc.). 

(c)               If Team A commits a foul on the field of play while the ball is in the B end zone, the ball shall be awarded to team B at any point between the hash marks on the B 10 yard line (UR, RP etc., may be applied at the 10 yard line or at PBD). 

(d)                If Team B commits a foul on the filed of play while the ball is in the A end zone, the penalty shall be applied at PLS. (UR, RP etc., may be applied at the PLS or at the PBD). 

SECTION 5. 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 1st 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. 

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 PBD.  If the point of application selected results in distance gained, 1st down will be awarded, the penalty applied, and it will the 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 a 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).  

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

Penalty:  No score.  UR -15 yard penalty applied at the 10, B 1D and 10 on B 25.  
                      RP -25 yard penalty applied at the 10, B 1D and 10 on 35 and disqualification.
 

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

Penalty:  Score allowed, UR 15 yard penalty, or RP 25 yard and disqualification, applied on the subsequent play.                                   
NOTE:   If the B infraction occurs on an intercepted FP by B in the end zone,
(Rule 6-4-11) applies  

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

Penalty:  Score allowed if applicable.  UR 15 yard penalty applied on the subsequent play.  RP –
    disqualification and 25 yard applied on the subsequent play.
 

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: 

Penalty:  - option to the non-offending team 
                -  L15 (UR) or L25 (RP) – PF, 1D  OR,  
                -  L15 (UR) or L25 (RP) – PBD, 1D (if the non-offending team recovers)
 

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 the illegal interference.   

Penalty:
Team A  - L15 from PLS for Illegal Interference 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 Illegal Interference, 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.
 

NOTE: The distance penalty awarded for the Illegal Interference is not subject to the restriction near the goal 
            
line, but any additional distance awarded for the UR or RP is subject to the normal restrictions 
             (Rule 8, Section 3, Article 1).


Penalty:
Convert   

Team A  (a) Successful attempt:
                    
- L15 for Illegal Interference plus L15 for UR or L25 (RP) – repeat convert, OR
                    
- L15 for Illegal Interference, repeat convert. Apply L15 for UR or L25 (RP) on kick off, OR
                     - Repeat convert at PLS.  Apply L15 for Illegal Interference plus L15 for UR or L25 (RP) on the
                       kick off. 

    (b) Unsuccessful attempt:
                      - Apply penalties on the kick off. 

Team B   (a) Successful attempt:
                      - Accept any score, apply penalties L15 (Illegal Interference) + L15 (UR) or L25 (RP) on the kick
                        off. 

     (b) Unsuccessful attempt:
          
- Repeat convert at B 1 yard line. Apply UR or RP penalty on the kick off, OR
           - Repeat convert at PLS.  Apply penalties L15 (Illegal Interference) + L15 (UR) or L25 (RP) on
             the kick off. 

 Dual Fouls – adjust penalties at PLS. Repeat convert.  

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 a 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.
 

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. 

Penalty:  1.2D - 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 first down does not apply.  

SECTION 6. DUAL AND DOUBLE FOULS 

Article 1 – Dual Foul  

Dual fouls occur when each team commits one or more fouls on the same play. 

Article 2  

With the exception of Unnecessary Roughness and Rough Play, dual penalties will be administered as follows: 

(a)               Both penalties must be accepted for the dual penalty rule to apply.  If one team declines the penalty, the remaining penalty is applied as a single penalty. 

(b)               If both penalties are accepted, the distance penalties will be adjusted at one of 3 points in general.  These points, as shown in the following articles are – PLS, PBH at the time of the first foul, and the point of possession (PP). 

(c)               The teams have the option of acceptance of penalty as determined by the sequence in which the offences occurred, e.g. First offence by A – First option to B. 

(d)               If one of the dual fouls is a non-distance foul, it shall be applied as a 10 yard penalty – e.g. Illegal Forward Pass Interference by team B less than 15 yards from PLS. 

(e)                A ”restraining zone” foul is an “in flight” foul for the purpose of this rule. 

(f)                  Pass interference by Team B is not an automatic first down in a dual foul situation. 

(g)               Where both fouls are UR or RP the automatic 1D for the B foul will not apply.  The distance penalties will be adjusted at the appropriate point of application. 

Article 3 – Application of Penalties  

The penalties will be adjusted at the appropriate point of application of the first foul.  If the first foul is UR or RP, the non-offending team shall have the option of adjusting the penalties at the appropriate point of application of the first or second foul. 

Article 4 – Double Fouls (by one team)  

When a team has been guilty of two or more infractions on the same play, the non-offending team may take its choice of one of the penalties. If one of the fouls is UR or RP, Objectionable Conduct, or No Mouthguard, it shall be added to the penalty chosen, at the point of application of the penalty chosen. 

Where UR or RP occurs before a change of possession and another penalty such as Holding or Blocking from the Rear occurs after the change of possession, if the UR or RP penalty is chosen to cancel the change of possession, the other penalties are not applied (except another UR or RP). 

If the other penalty is accepted, and the change of possession remains, the point of application is PBH, and the UR or RP penalty will be added to that penalty. 

Fouls on repeated converts – If a team fouls on a convert, and the non-offending team chooses to apply the penalty on the kick off, fouls by the same team on repeated convert attempts may be added to the first penalty and applied on the kick off at the option of the non-offending team. 

If 2 or more fouls occur on any convert, or repeated convert, the choice of penalty will be made in accordance with paragraph 1 of this article.