Rule regarding concluding line of scrimmage penalties

PENALTY SYSTEM

The penalty system is an optional feature. If you choose to use the penalty system, it will increase your

playing time. However, in utilizing the penalty system, additional realism will result. The utilization of the

penalty system necessitates the use of a fourth die. The fourth die or penalty die (special black die) is

rolled at the beginning of each play (kick, pass, or run). For each play, the penalty die is not rolled with any

additional dice rolls generated from the initial roll. On a given roll, if the penalty die reading is X, a penalty

MAY occur. Complete the play before attempting to establish the results of the penalty. Once the play is

completed, roll ONLY the colored and white dice. If the white die's reading is 1,2, or 3, refer to the penalty

section of the offensive team's specialist card. If the white die's reading is 4, 5, or 6, refer to the penalty

section of the defensive team's specialist card. In each instance, the colored dice total refers to the series of

numbers found in the penalty section of the specialist card. The following readings can be found in the

penalty section of the specialist card:

• OFFSETTING PENALTIES - Penalties called on both teams, thereby, nullifying the play.

• BLANK READING - No penalty occurs. Play results are not affected.

• OFFSIDES* or OPPONENT OFFSIDES* - The team not penalized may accept the penalty (5

yds), thereby, nullifying the play. Any penalty reading followed by an asterisk found on the

specialist card indicates an option for the team not penalized. NOTES:


Ignore these two readings on kickoffs (for both the kicking and receiving team).


Offsides against the offense is rarely called. Consider this an “Illegal Motion” penalty – the

play is whistled dead and an automatic 5-yard penalty is charged against the offense.

• NUMBER ONE to NUMBER SEVEN - Indicates a penalty against the team whose penalty

section of the specialist card is being read. For example, on an end run, a reading of number two

occurs to the team playing defense. Refer to the penalty chart to the type of play (run) and the

penalized team's present field situation (defense). The result is a personal foul. If there is no

asterisk following a penalty reading, the penalty is automatically added on to the results of the

play.

• OPPONENT NUMBER ONE to NUMBER SEVEN - Indicates a penalty against the team

whose penalty section of the specialist card is NOT being read. Refer to the penalty chart for the

penalized team in the same manner as above.

There are certain situations where the total yardage of a penalty cannot be marked off. These situations

pertain to both the offense and defense and result in the penalty becoming half the distance to the goal line:

• A 15-yard penalty occurring within the 3O-yard line (29-yard line to goal line).

• A 1O-yard penalty occurring within the 2O-yard line (19-yard line to goal line).

• A 5-yard penalty occurring within the 1O-yard line (9-yard line to goal line).

In these situations half the distance to the goal line (rounding down) is marked off. For example, if a 5-yard

penalty occurs to the offensive team on their 5- yard line, move the ball back to the 3-yard line. This rule

does not apply to defensive pass interference which is spotted at the end of the penalty unless the penalty

reaches or exceeds the goal line in which case the ball is spotted at the 1-yard line.

An updated penalty chart is included with the computer game rules. Use this in lieu of the one found on the

X-Chart. This new chart takes into account changes in the penalty rules that have occurred since the

original penalty chart was published. Other notes:

• Only plays marked by a pound sign (#) negate the play, so the play CANNOT be accepted. All other

plays can be declined or accepted by the opposing team.

• Offsides on the Special Team Card CAN be declined and the play accepted!

• Assessment of penalty on extra point or 2pt conversion: If the penalty is on the defensive team the

offense can retry from the 1 yd line or enforce the penalty on the kickoff. If the penalty is on the

offensive team options are to redo the play (use the field goal range for the proper yardage for the

PAT) or to enforce the penalty on the kickoff.

• On kickoffs and punts roll the black Penalty Die only one time – on the roll for the kick. On the return

the black penalty die is not rolled.

• For a penalty on a two point conversion use the section relative to offense or defense for the play (Run

or Pass), not the extra point section.

• Ignore all concluding line of scrimmage penalties that occur on scoring plays or when a turnover
 occurs.