On a kickoff to start the game, Team A tries a short kickoff. A1 has his feet at the A44 (9 yard mark) when he picks up the ball that is on the ground at the A46. Officials rule illegal touching.
RULING Reviewable play. A's ball 1st and 10 where ball dead.
On a Team A kickoff that travels 11 yards the Official rule the ball was last touched by A, before going out of bounds. A's ball first down. Replay shows B last touched the ball after A before going out of bounds.
RULING Reviewable play. B's ball where it went OB.
First and 10 on A20. A2 takes a handoff and runs to the A25 where B22 contacts him. A2 stumbles but does not appear to have gone down and officials allow the play to continue. Replay shows A2's left knee hit the ground at the A 25.
RULING Reviewable play. A's ball second and 5 at the A25.
Team A ball carrier fumbles the ball with Team B recovering. Officials rule down by contact at A's 30 yard line. Replay shows that the ball was loose before the runner was down.
RULING Reviewable play. B's ball at point of recovery with no advance.
First and 10 on A30. A2 takes a handoff and runs from his own 30 to the B24 yard line where he is pushed out of bounds. Replays show that A2 stepped on the sideline at the B42 yard line.
RULING Reviewable play. A's ball first and 10 at the B42.
First and 10 on A4. A2 fumbles and B1 recovers at the goal line. Officials give ball to B at the A1 yard line. Replays show that B1 recovered ball in end zone.
RULING Reviewable play for point of recovery only, not who had obtained possession. In this case touchdown would be awarded to B.
Team A on 3rd down are running the ball and need to get to Team B 24 yard line for first down and the runner gets close to the first down marker. Officials mark the ball at the Team B 25. Replay shows that ball should have been marked at 23 and 1/2 yard line.
RULING Reviewable play. Team A 1st down at the 23 and 1/2 yard line.
Team A on 2nd down is running the ball and need to get to Team B 36 yard line for a first down. Officials mark the ball at the 38 yard line, making situation 3rd down and 2 to go.
RULING NOT reviewable play. A has third down attempt to gain 1st down.
Second and 10 at A10. A2 takes a handoff and the officials' rule that he steps out of bounds at the A16 yard line.
RULING NOT reviewable play. Forward progress spot does not affect gain of first down on a third down play
First and 10 on A20. A2 takes a handoff and runs and fumbles at the A25. The ball, untouched, rolls out of bounds at the A35 where the officials award the ball to Team A as first down.
RULING NOT reviewable play. A's ball first and 10 at the A35.
First and 10 on B 50. A2 takes a handoff and runs up the middle to the B47 and fumbles. Officials rule that A3 recovered.
RULING NOT reviewable play. Involves recovery of loose ball in the field of play, player was not ruled down by contact.
Second and 10 on A25. QB is hit while attempting to throw a forward pass. The ball hits the ground at the A20 and B recovers. The Referee rules fumble. Team A challenges and the referee discovers that it was an incomplete pass.
RULING Reviewable play. Team A retains possession, downs continuing at point of last scrimmage.
First and ten on A20. QB throws a lateral pass from the A10 yard line that is ruled onside, and Team B recovers the loose ball. Replays show the pass was forward, hitting the ground at the A11 yard line.
RULING Reviewable play. Pass is incomplete. A's ball downs continuing.
First and ten on A20. Passer scrambles and throws a pass that is completed for a TD. The LJ calls the Passer for being over the line of scrimmage when the ball was thrown.
RULING Reviewable play. Team A subject to 10 yard penalty at PLS, with down repeated.
First and ten on A20. B1 intercepts a forward pass at the 50 and returns it to the A20 yard line where he throws the ball forward to B2 at the A18 yard line while he is being tackled. B2 runs for a touchdown.
RULING Reviewable play. Offside pass. B's ball first and 10 at A20 yard line.
Second and 5 on A30. Low pass is ruled incomplete. Replay shows that receiver or defender had his hands under the ball and it never hit the ground.
RULING Reviewable play. Pass is complete, or intercepted if by defender.
Team first and ten at their 38 yard line throws a forward pass to A77, who catches the ball, is hit immediately and fumbles the ball, which is recovered by Team B. Officials rule the pass incomplete.
RULING Reviewable play. However, if pass ruled complete possession retained by Team A at point of completion as official's whistle terminated play. Team B cannot be awarded the ball because the play was terminated by Official's whistle prior to the recovery.
First and ten on A20. QBA1 completes a forward pass to A2 at the A35 yard line. Replays show the ball first glancing off the shoulder of Guard A1 before A2's catch.
RULING Reviewable play. No deliberate attempt to catch or touch ball, therefore play stands.
First and ten on A20. Wide receiver A1 leaps and catches a legal forward pass at the 50. Replays show A1's first foot came down on the sideline.
RULING Reviewable play. Incomplete pass. Second and ten on A20.
Second and 10 on A25. QB is hit while attempting to throw a forward pass. The ball hits the ground at the A20 and B recovers. The Referee rules incomplete pass. Replays show that it was a fumble.
RULING NOT Reviewable play. Official’s whistle terminated play.
Team A QB throws a lateral pass from his own 10 yard line and the pass is ruled incomplete by the Head Linesman
RULING NOT Reviewable play. Official's whistle terminated play.
Second and 10 on 50. Pass goes to A2 near the sideline at the B25. Pass ruled complete because receiver was pushed or carried by defender causing him to land out of bounds.
RULING NOT reviewable play. Force out is not reviewable.
First and ten on B20. QBA1 is under pressure and throws an incomplete pass. The Referee calls intentional grounding.
RULING NOT reviewable play. Intentional grounding is not reviewable.
The Umpire marks off 10 yards for offside.
RULING NOT reviewable play. Enforcement of a penalty is not reviewable.
Team A punts the ball where it is recovered by offside A1, who is penalized for no yards. Team A challenges that the ball was touched by B1, prior to A1 being the only player in 5 yard zone.
RULING Reviewable play. Touching of ball on kicking play is reviewable. A's ball 1D where ball dead, if ball touched by B.
Team A receiver after catching a pass, punts the ball downfield, where A2 recovers and runs for a TD, with a flag thrown for no yards.
RULING Reviewable play. To determine if A2 is onside. If onside, TD counts.
Third and 11 on B45. B1 is called for contacting the kicker. Replays show that B1 touched the ball before running into the punter.
RULING Reviewable play. If the ball is touched there is no foul for contacting the kicker.
Third and five on A20. B1 fumbles a punted ball in the middle of the field at the 50. A1 and B1 gain simultaneous possession at the B45, but the Officials award possession to A1.
RULING NOT reviewable play. Involves recovery of loose ball in field of play, not touching of a kick.
Third and ten on A35. A1 punts to B1 at the B25 yard line. B1 returns the punt to the B32 yard line is hit and fumbles. A2 recovers the ball at the B34 yard line. Team B challenges that A2's left foot was touching the sideline during the recovery. Replay shows that B1's knee touched down before the fumble.
RULING B's ball first and ten on B32 yard line. B retains their challenge and is not charged a time out.
First and ten on a 20. A82 catches a pass at the A45. Before the next snap, Tackle A65 moves, and the play is blown dead by the officials.
RULING Reviewable play. Play can be challenged until the next legal snap. If replay review shows incomplete pass, A's ball second and 10 on A20, penalty for procedure is ignored. If replay review shows completed pass, then A65 subject to penalty for Procedure.
Second and ten on B35. B1 intercepts a pass in the end zone and is downed there. The play is challenged and reviewed for one minute by the Referee. The Referee sees nothing to change the call on the field. After the Referee leaves the monitor, a replay comes up that shows the ball hitting the ground.
RULING Play stands as called on the field. B's ball first and ten on B25. When the Referee leaves the monitor the review is over.
RULING If there is an equipment breakdown prior to entering the booth, the Referee shall remain at the booth for 90 seconds, while the equipment is being fixed. If the equipment is not operational within 90 seconds, the play will stand as called on the field.
Team A ball carrier runs for a touchdown on the last play of a half, but Team B challenges the play because they feel he stepped out of bounds on the 4 yd line. Replay review shows that he did step out of bounds on the four yd line
RULING Touchdown is nullified and the half is over.
Team A throws a pass which is ruled incomplete and time expired on the play. Team A challenges the ruling and Replay review shows the pass was complete.
RULING Pass is ruled complete, but the half is over.
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Content compiled and entered by Vern Heath and Josh Oubadia
Special thanks to George Black, Shawn Coates, Glen Johnson and André Proulx
The CFL Official Rule Book is published annually by the Canadian Football League. Any inquiries regarding the CFL Official Playing Rules may be directed to George Black at gblack@cfl.ca.