OT field goal dead ball penalty/excessive celebration

Question
This is a lengthy question.  High School round 2 playoff game.  game tied at end of game.  OT established. Team A goes 1st scores TD goes for a 2 pt try and is stopped.  Team B goes next scores TD goes for extra pt try.  The ball is snapped and in the kickers hands and the kicker is just about to kick when a whistle is blown. The kick is good.  Our team captain asks the official what is the flag for and the official told him offside against the defense what do you want to do? Our team captain said win the game. If we decline the penalty do we win the official says yes. We decline. The official does the motion for offside against the defense, does the sign for decline penalty and holds his hands up for a good kick and SAYS game over.  Team B runs onto the field to celebrate the win.  While our team is on the field Team A coach comes onto field and talks to official and they wave everybody off the field (which Team B gets off immediately upon realizing anything else is being said) and says Team B has to rekick and then gives Team B a 15 yd penalty on the kick for excessive celebration. Team A block the kick go into 2nd OT Team B goes 1st scores their TD and makes the Extra pt.  Team A scores and then makes a 2 pt try to win.   

MY 1st question is this? Is that right for the kick to be redone on a "dead ball"penalty after the ball is snapped and if so what keeps a team from lining up offside everytime to try and keep any attempt at being good? I know there is a penalty half the distance to the goal but if they keep lining up offsides what happens ?  I mean they will never be able to score with that. That doesn't seem right.

My 2nd question is does that seem right to then apply an excessive celebration penalty when the official had said game over?

Answer
Amanda
Thank you for your question. First an foremonst as an official and instructor of high school and collegiate officials please accept my apology as it appears the crew working the game you ask about erred.  We as football officials are the last bastion of integrity the games has. We are responsible for administering thegame and charged with the duty of enforcing the rules and applying just penalties.  It appears from the description of th eplay you ask about the officials did not initially enforce the rule properly which lead to further issues.  

If you don't mind I will take you through the play you describe and explain what should have happened.

First, I need to correct some of the nomenclature you use - these are terms of art and I clarify strictly for educational purposes.  Also because some of the terms meam one thing under the National Federation of High School rules and another under NCAA rules.  I assume this high school game was played under federation rules and I will address this question accordingly.


Please know, Team A is the team that is designated to put the ball in play, and Team B is the opponent. The teams retain these designations until the ball is next ready for play.

Also you refer to the penalty at issue as "off sides" by the Defense [DOF] but under Federation rules when the defense is offsides it is called Encroachment (ENC) which is a dead ball foul.  Under NCAA rules DOF can be a live ball foiul or a dead ball foul depending on various actions.  If this game were played under NCAA rules then the officials may have initially enforced the penalty correctly; but there could have been a inadvertant whistle based on your description.  Since this is a High School game it is likely played under Federeation rules and ENC is therefore a dead ball foul.

Under Federation rules, Encroachment occurs when a player is illegally in the neutral zone during the time interval starting when the ball is marked ready for play and until the ball is
snapped or free kicked. For the purposes of enforcing encroachment restrictions, an entering substitute is not considered to be a player until he is on his team抯 side of the neutral zone.  An official shall indicate the ball remains dead by sounding his whistle immediately when a foul occurs before a snap or free kick.

As I understand the facts of your play, this involves a high school game in extra periods. The first team had scored a TD but failed to convert/PAT. The second team then had its serries and scored a TD and was lined up for a FG/PAT when a Team B (defensive) player committed a dead ball encroachment foul.  This foul causes the play to be dead ["A dead ball is a ball not in play."} Thus the snap never occured and thus the kick did not occur by rule [despite the snapper snapping the ball to the holder, etc.  When the ENC fould occured by rule the play is dead at that point and nothing can happen until the penalty is administered.

In your play Team B encroached and thus you could decline the foul and keep the ball at the 3 yardline for the PAT or accept the penalty and go half the distance.  Either way there could be no score.  The referee ered in declining the penalty and initially awaring the point.  He correct the error when the Team B coach confered with him.

The Unsportsmanlike foul (UNS) per your description was for excessive celebration.  However I have to defer to the on field officials because it could have been for anything said or done in addition to excessive celebration.  Good judgement would be not to penalize for "excessive celebration" when the officials error lead to the action.  However, without knowing more from the officials I would be negligent to state they erred in the UNS foul. There are a lot of things other than excessive celebration that could cause them to call a UNS foul under the circumstance.  The proper enforcement would be to penalize Team B half the distance for the ENC foul (unless declined) and then penalize team A 15 yards for the UNS foul and permite Team A to Kick the PAT.  Remember it is not a re-kick because the ENC fould caused the ball to become dead, it would be the first PAT kick for Team A.

Teams at some point will no keep fouling because the ball keeps moving half the distance to the goalline which results in the ball being inches from the goalline.

Extra periods: An extra period shall consist of two possession series with each team putting the ball in play by a snap on or between the hash marks on the designated 25-yard line (unless relocated by penalty), which becomes the opponent抯 25-yard line.  A series comprises up to four consecutive downs that each begins with a snap.

Below is the Rule pertaining to overtime / extra periods.  

OVERTIME / EXTRA PERIOD RULES FOR RESOLVING TIED GAMES
Each state association, in accordance with Rule 3-1-1, may adopt a procedure by which it allows games tied after the fourth quarter to be resolved. The following is one possible procedure which would allow for ties to be broken. This procedure may be accepted as written,
amended, or rejected, in whole or part, by each member state association. The following Overtime assumes the National Federation 10 yard line  as ths starting point of ecach new series. Some States use the 15 yard line (i.e. Georgia) or 25 yard line (i.e. California) rather than the 10 yard line.

An overtime period is untimed play after a regulation game has ended with the score tied. During an overtime period each team has an opportunity for an offensive series of downs. However, an overtime period may include only one offensive series of downs if the defensive team scores a safety or touchdown.

3-1: When the score is tied at the end of the fourth period, the referee will instruct both teams to return to their respective team boxes. There will be a three-minute intermission during which both teams may confer with their coaches. All officials will assemble at the 50-yard line, review the overtime procedure, and discuss how penalties, if any, including any carry-over penalties from the regulation contest will be assessed to start the overtime procedure. (See 8-3-5,6) At the end of the intermission, the linesman will go to the team
on the side of the field where the line to gain equipment is located and the line judge will go to the other team. They will inform the coaches of any special penalty enforcements that apply.

3-2-1: At the coin toss in the center of the field the visiting-team抯 captain shall be given the privilege of choosing 揾eads?or 搕ails?before the coin is tossed. The winner of the toss shall be given his choice of defense or offense first, or of designating the end of the field at which the ball will be put in play for this set of downs. The loser will have his choice of the other options. The referee will indicate the winner of the toss by placing a hand on his shoulder. To indicate which team will go on offense, the referee will have that captain face the goal toward which his team will advance and indicate this with the first-down signal. The other team captain will face the offensive captain with his back toward the goal he will defend.

3-5-1: Each team shall be permitted one time-out during each overtime period (a series for A and a series for B). The team scoring the greater number of points in the overtime shall be declared the winner. The final score shall be determined by totaling all points scored by each team during both regulation time and overtime periods.

5-1-1: To start the overtime, the offensive team shall put the ball in play, first and goal, on the defensive team抯 10-yard line or succeeding spot if carry-over penalty has been administered (15-yard line for six-player football) anywhere between the inbounds lines. The first offensive team shall have a series of four downs. That series shall be terminated by any score by the offensive team or if the defensive team has possession of the ball.  If the team on offense scores a touchdown, it is entitled to the opportunity for a try unless the points
would not affect the outcome of the game or playoff qualifying.

A field-goal attempt is permitted during any down.

If the defensive team gains possession, the ball becomes dead immediately and the offensive team抯 series of downs is ended.

After the first team on offense has completed its series of downs, the first team on defense will become the offensive team with the ball in its possession at the same 10-yard line anywhere between the inbounds lines. The same end of the field will be used for possessions by both teams during the two sets of downs to ensure equal game conditions and conserve time.
If the score remains tied after each team has been given one series of downs in an overtime period, then the procedure shall be repeated with other overtime periods until a game winner is determined. In this case, there shall be an intermission of two minutes. At the subsequent meeting of team captains, the loser of the overtime coin toss will be given first choice of the options. If additional overtime periods are required, then first options will be alternated with no coin toss.

5-1-2: If a safety is scored by the offensive team, the succeeding spot will be the 10-yard line in possession of the team that was on defense, provided the defensive team has not had its series of downs (the temporary overtime score is: Team A-2; Team B-0).  When the defensive team gains possession of the ball, the down and series immediately end for the offensive team.

5-2-1: The offensive team shall be awarded a new series of downs when any one of the following occurs:
a. Penalty for defensive pass interference is accepted.
b. Offensive team recovers a scrimmage kick (field-goal attempt) between the goal lines after it has been touched first by the defensive team beyond the neutral zone.
c. Defensive team is guilty of roughing the kicker, place-kick holder, snapper or passer.

5-3-1: The line to gain is always the goal line.

8-1: If the defensive team scores a safety or touchdown, the game is ended.

8-3: No try will be attempted if the winner of the game has been determined.

10-4-3a: Post scrimmage kick enforcement is not applicable in this procedure.

RESOLVING TIED GAMES INTERPRETATIONS:
(For those state associations utilizing the procedure as written)The following Overtime assumes the National Federation 10 yard line  as ths starting point of ecach new series. .[Some States use the 15 yard line (i.e. Georgia) or 25 yard line (i.e. California) rather than the 10 yard line.]


3.1.1 SITUATION A: On fourth down in overtime play, A scores a touchdown. After the score, but before the try, B1 commits an unsportsmanlike foul. Ruling: The penalty is enforced from the succeeding spot on the try. Nonplayer fouls, nonplayer unsportsmanlike fouls and dead-ball fouls are penalized on the succeeding spot.

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.

3.1.1 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.

3.1.1 SITUATION D: When the regulation game ends in a tie, the teams use the recommended tie-breaking procedure. A wins the toss and elects to take the ball. A1 scores on the third down. After A1 crosses the goal line: (a) A2 clips B1; or (b) B1 strikes A2. Ruling: Dead-ball fouls in both (a) and (b). The score counts and the penalties in both (a) and (b) are enforced on the try, because that is the succeeding spot.

3.1.1 SITUATION E: On third and 4 in overtime play, B recovers a fumble or intercepts a pass. Ruling: The down ends as soon as B1 recovers or intercepts. In both cases the series of downs is ended for A.

3.1.1 SITUATION F: On third and 6 in overtime play Team A attempts a field goal. The attempt is not successful and B recovers on the 1-yard line. Ruling: The down ends when B1 recovers. The series is ended for A.

3.1.1 SITUATION G: The fourth quarter ends during a scoring play. During the successful 2-point try, B9 is called for pass interference. A accepts the result of the play, which ties the score and chooses to have the penalty assessed at the succeeding spot. Ruling: This is correct. Since A, by rule, can choose succeeding spot enforcement, and the try was successful, A will likely take enforcement at the succeeding spot to begin overtime. Game officials must be certain to explain the options clearly, not only during penalty administration, but also during the overtime coin toss.

3.1.1 SITUATION H: In overtime play with third and goal from B抯 4-yard line, B1 interferes during a forward pass. Ruling: If the penalty is accepted it will be first and goal for A on B抯 2-yard line.

3.1.1 SITUATION I: In overtime play on second down from the 8-yard line, B1 commits pass interference. Ruling: First down for A on the 4-yard line if the penalty is accepted.

3.1.1 SITUATION J: (a) On second; or (b) fourth down and 9, A1 interferes on an incomplete forward pass. Ruling: In (a) it is A抯 ball third down from its 24-yard line. In (b) B will decline the penalty and take the ball on the 10-yard line.

3.1.1 SITUATION K: At the end of the regulation game the score is tied, 7-7. It was previously announced that the recommended tie-breaking procedure would be followed. Immediately after the last down of the fourth period A1 strikes B1. Ruling: A1 will be disqualified and may not participate during the overtime period. The penalty for A1憇 foul will be administered from the succeeding spot. If B is the first to put the ball in play it will be from the 5-yard line. If A is the first to put the ball in play it will be from the 25-yard line.

3.1.1 SITUATION L: At the beginning of the overtime, A wins the toss and elects to go on offense. On first down, B1 intercepts a pass, but then fumbles and A1 recovers. RULING: The ball became dead and A抯 series ended immediately when B1 intercepted. A1 recovered a dead ball. B will put the ball in play to start its series of four downs, first and goal from anywhere between the inbound lines on the 10-yard line.[Some States use the 15 yard line (i.e. Georgia) or 25 yard line (i.e. California)]

3.1.1 SITUATION M: During the last timed down of the fourth period, A scores a touchdown to make the score 14-13. During the successful kick try, B1 roughs the kicker/holder. RULING: If A accepts the score, the penalty is enforced to start the overtime, if an overtime is played. If A accepts the penalty, the try will be replayed from the 1?yard line. (2-41-10; 8-3-5)

3.1.1 SITUATION N: During an overtime period, it is fourth and goal from the 6-yard line. During A抯 unsuccessful field-goal attempt, B1 charges into the place-kick holder. RULING: It will be first and goal for A at the 3-yard line following enforcement of the roughing penalty which also includes an automatic first down.

3.1.1 SITUATION O: Following a scoreless first overtime period, the captain of B chooses to play the second overtime period at the opposite end of the field. RULING: This is permissible, as it is one of the options to begin each overtime period.

3.1.1 SITUATION P: During the first overtime period, A chooses to go on offense first and scores a touchdown on the third play of the series. During the successful kick try, the holder is roughed by B1. A accepts the successful kick try. RULING: Since A accepted the result of the play, B will be penalized from the succeeding spot. B will start its overtime series from the 25-yard line after the penalty for roughing the holder is enforced. (10-5-2)

3.1.1 SITUATION Q: In overtime play with fourth and goal from B抯 24-yard line, BI interferes during a legal forward pass. RULING: First down and goal for A on the 12-yard line if the penalty is accepted.


FYI:
ENCROACHMENT
Encroachment is a foul for being illegally in the neutral zone. The neutral zone, scrimmage lines are all established when the ball is marked ready for play. The neutral zone is the length of a football space between the two scrimmage lines during a scrimmage down. The neutral zone is established and encroachment restrictions are in effect when the ready-for-play signal has been sounded. Once the ready-for-play signal has been sounded, no player shall encroach on the neutral zone by touching the ball, an opponent, or by being in the neutral zone to give defensive signals.

The neutral zone, that space the length of a football, is established once the ready-for play
signal has been sounded, but the planes of the neutral zone lines are not established until the snapper has placed his or her hand(s) on the ball. Following the ready-for-play signal
and after the snapper has placed his hand(s) on the ball, no player may break the plane of the neutral zone lines other than the snapper. During a scrimmage down, the snapper is the only player who may have any part of his or her person in the neutral zone. The snapper抯 hand(s) on the ball may be beyond the foremost point of the ball.

After the ball is ready for play for a scrimmage down, but prior to the snapper placing his
or her hand(s) on the ball, it is encroachment if a defender enters the neutral zone to give
defensive signals or places his or her hand(s) on the ground so that contact is made with
the ball or an opponent.

After the ball is ready for play for a scrimmage down, but prior to the snapper placing his
or her hand(s) on the ball, it is not encroachment if either an offensive player or a defender
breaks the plane of the neutral zone. Both players may adjust their positions and get back
behind the neutral zone except for the defender as mentioned above, because the planes of
the neutral zone lines are not established until after the ready-for-play signal has sounded
and the snapper has placed his or her hand(s) on the ball.

Either an offensive player or a defender, who was on the opponent抯 side of the neutral zone conferring with his or her coach at the sideline, may cross through the neutral zone to his team抯 huddle without encroaching prior to the snapper placing his or her hand(s) on the ball after the ready-for-play signal. But once the snapper has placed his hand(s) on the ball following the ready-for-play signal for a scrimmage down, it is a foul for encroachment if any player breaks the plane of the neutral zone or any player, who was conferring with his coach at the sideline on the opponent抯 side of the neutral zone passes through the neutral zone to his or her huddle.

It is not encroachment for a substitute or a replaced player to cross through the neutral zone. A substitute cannot encroach until after he or she is established as a player on his or
her team抯 side of the neutral zone.

Encroachment is a dead-ball foul resulting in a 5-yard penalty from the succeeding spot.