[nova]

Originally Posted by Zeus

They certainly could have made that easier to comprehend, but I don't think the part you linked covers the entire play.

The foul happened before AL had possession of the ball, and it happened durring a live play.


Example?


QB drops back.... throws the ball.... gets hit in the head... Ball is intercepted... returned for a TD.

Personal foul, roughing the passer, 15 yard penalty from the spot of the foul, automatic first down.

I think the difference comes in with the live/dead ball designation.

Originally Posted by page 122

PENALTY (a-q)—15 yards. For dead-ball fouls, 15 yards from the succeeding spot. Automatic first down for Team B fouls if
the first down is not in conflict with other rules (Exception:
Penalties for Team A personal fouls behind the neutral zone
are enforced from the previous spot. Safety if the foul occurs
behind Team A’s goal line) [S7, S24, S34, S38, S39, S40, S41
or S46]. Flagrant offenders shall be disqualified [S47].
For Team A fouls during free or scrimmage kick plays (field
goal plays exempted): Enforcement may be at the previous
spot or the spot where the subsequent dead ball belongs to
Team B (Rules 6-1-8 and 6-3-13).

A personal foul can be either a live or dead ball foul and in your example its live. Whether the change in posession is reversed depends on whether the foul occurs during or after the down is completed. In your example it occurs during play so its reversed. If the DB intercepts, hits the ground down and then the DLinemen smears the QB, that would be a dead ball foul and not reversed. I think....

The unsporstmanlike conduct is either dead ball or live ball treated as a dead ball. When its live treated as dead, its enforced as if it happened after play is over, no matter when it happened.

Does that make sense or am I talking out my ass?