enforecent and spot for illegal procedure

Question
Recently I observed this situation at local high school game: 4th and 2, the offensive team lines up to punt and as the ball is snapped to the punter, the referee throws his flag, but play continues. The receiving team fields the ball and returns the ball for an apparent touchdown. During the runback, the back judge (I think) throws another flag. After a brief conference the referee signals the infractions as 1) illegal procedure on the kicking team and 2) holding on the receiving team during the return. The referee announces that the penalties are offsetting and the down will be replayed, from the original spot (4th & 2).  My understanding was that the illegal procedure was dead ball foul on kicking team and that any ensuing play, including the runback and holding during the runback would be considered dead ball and as such the holding penalty should be waved off and the kicking team should be penalized 5 yards from spot and allowed to replay 4th down.  What is the correct ruling in this situation?

Answer
Ben
You are correct that illegal procedure is a dead ball foul and if this was the foul then the play needed to be blown dead at the time of the False Start/illegal procedure.   The referee did not blow the  play dead when he threw his flag; and since this was a kicking play, and he gave the "illegal procedure" signal - I suspect it was not  illegal procedure on the kicking team, but rather illegal formation on the kicking team.

The signal for illegal procedure is the same as illegal formation which is a live ball foul.

Since there were two live ball fouls against each team as you describe, then the penalty was enforced correctly.  The referee was correct to offset the two fouls and replay the down.

Signal 19 is used for many fouls: i.e.  illegal procedure, illegal formation, free-kick  infraction, free kick out of bounds, snap infraction, planned loose ball infraction, attendant illegally leaving the field...

I hope this explains it.  

Vic Winnek
NCAA Football Official