SECTION 3 — DOUBLE & DUAL FOULS
Article 1 — Double Fouls
Double fouls occur when the same team commits two or more fouls on the same
play. The non-offending team shall have the option of accepting either penalty or
may decline the penalties to take advantage of the play as it is terminated. If one
of the fouls is a major foul, that penalty shall be applied whether or not the non-
offending team accepts the penalty for the other foul.
Article 2 — Dual Fouls
Dual fouls occur when each team commits one or more fouls on the same play. If the penalties are of unequal value, the yardage shall be balanced. A penalty with no yardage value (AFD, LB, LD) shall be deemed to be 10 yards for balancing purposes.
An automatic first down shall not be awarded to Team A unless the Team B penalty is a major foul. If both teams commit major fouls, a first down shall not be automatically awarded.
Article 3 — Dual Fouls — No Change In Possession
When, on a play from scrimmage not involving a change in possession, dual fouls are committed, the following rules shall apply:
- If both fouls are committed prior to yards being gained, the Referee shall cancel the play. If the fouls are of equal value, the down shall be repeated at the point of last scrimmage. If the fouls are not of equal value, the Referee shall apply the penalties for both fouls balancing one penalty against the other from the point of last scrimmage. No option.
- If both fouls are committed after yards have been gained, the penalties shall be applied at the point the ball was held at the time of the first foul. However, the non-offending team on the first foul shall have the right to decline the penalty against the opponent and accept the play as it was completed, subject to the penalty against itself for the second foul at the normal point of application.
- If the first foul is committed before yards have been gained and the second foul after yards have been gained, the penalties shall be balanced and applied from the point of last scrimmage. However, the non-offending team on the first foul shall have the right to decline the penalty against the opponent and accept the play as it was completed, subject to the penalty against itself for the second foul at that normal point of application.
Article 4 — Dual Fouls — Change In Possession
When, on a play from scrimmage involving a change in possession (i.e. a kicking play or a forward pass interception or a play in which a fumble is lost), dual fouls are committed, the following rules shall apply. For the purposes of this Article 4, possession shall be deemed not to have changed until the second team has gained possession. A No Yards or Loose Ball Interference infraction shall be deemed to have occurred after the change in possession.
- If both fouls are committed before the change in possession, the penalties shall be applied as provided in Article 3.
- If both fouls are committed after the change in possession, the penalties shall be applied and balanced at the point the ball was held at the time of the first infraction. The non-offending team on the first foul shall have the right to decline the penalty against the opponent and accept the play, subject to the penalty against itself for the second foul at that normal point of application.
- If the first foul is committed before the change in possession and the second foul after the change in possession, the penalties shall be applied and balanced at the point of application for the first foul. The non-offending team on the first foul shall have the right to decline the penalty against the opponent and accept the play as it was completed, subject to the penalty against itself for the second foul at the normal point of application.
- If both fouls are committed in goal after the second team has gained possession in its own Goal Area, the penalties shall be applied and balanced from the second team's 10-yard line or the 25-yard line, if possession had been gained by an interception or a fumble. No option.
- If the first foul is committed in the Goal Area after the change in possession and the second foul in the Field of Play, the penalties shall be applied and balanced from the 10-yard line or the 25-yard line, if possession had been gained by an interception or fumble recovery in the Goal Area. The non-offending team on the first foul shall have the right to decline the penalty against the opponent and accept the play as it progressed, subject to the penalty against itself at the normal point of application.
Article 5 — Dual Fouls — Kickoff
When on a kickoff play dual fouls are committed, the following rules shall apply:
- If both fouls are committed before possession has been gained, the penalties shall be applied and balanced at the point of kickoff with the kickoff repeated. No option.
- If both fouls are committed after possession has been gained, the penalties shall be applied and balanced at the point of application for the first foul. The non-offending team on the first foul may decline the penalty against the opponent and accept the play, subject to the penalty against itself for the second foul at the normal point of application.
- If the first foul is committed before possession has been gained and the second foul after possession has been gained, the penalties shall be applied and balanced at the point of kickoff with the kickoff repeated. The non-offending team on the first foul may decline the penalty against the opponent, subject to penalty against itself for the second foul at that normal point of application.