Here are a few bonus questions for this month’s YBTR, taken
directly from the 2022 NGFFL Rules & Mechanics Test! Because, YES, ALL
of your NGFFL officials take a 100-question test before each Gay Bowl!! And are
required to have a passing score!
If you are interested in taking the full test "for fun," email Director of Officials, Lance Burage, at officials@ngffl.org for the link! Good luck!
1) TRUE or FALSE? Junior- and youth-sized footballs are allowed in Womens+ division play.
TRUE. Both of these sized footballs are
acceptable for play in the Womens+ division. They may not be used in Open
division play.
2) TRUE or FALSE? A down that includes a declared punt does not have to begin with a legal snap.
FALSE. All downs (plays) must begin with a legal snap ("handing or passing the ball backward from its position on the ground"). In the case of a declared punt, if the kicker drops the snap, it is legal to just pick up the ball and still kick it, and the kicking team is still offered the protection provided with a declared punt.
3) TRUE or FALSE? An errant snap that touches the ground during the last two minutes of each half causes the clock to stop until the field markers can be reset.
FALSE. This is just like a fumble in tackle football, therefore the clock continues to run.
4) TRUE or FALSE? It is pass interference if a
player on Team A or Team B plays through the back of an opponent in an attempt
to make a play on the ball.
5) TRUE or FALSE? Team A may change their decision to attempt a 1- or 2-point play after any team timeout is used.
TRUE. Doesn't have to be their own timeout, ANY team timeout allows the offensive team to change their choice on the try-for-point.
6) CHOOSE THE RESULT. A forward pass strikes an official standing inbounds, after which it rebounds into the air and is caught by a defensive player.
a) Incomplete pass.
b) Interception.
c) Same as an inadvertent whistle, the down is
replayed.
B. An official is a part of the field, therefore the ball remains live. If the ball had struck an official that was standing with one or both feet out of bounds, then that places the ball out of bounds and it becomes dead.
7) TRUE or FALSE? The length of each half is 25
minutes.
TRUE. New rule change this year! Each half is now 25-minutes long. Halftime remains 10 minutes in length, but can be shortened by mutual agreement of both captains.
a) Play results in a sack.
b) Play results in a completed pass, gain of 5-yards.
B. Think of this like the baseball rule -- a tie goes to the offense.
9) CHOOSE THE RESULT. During the second half and between downs, an offensive player runs onto the field and gets into position wearing a hard-billed cap with the bill facing forward. The back judge notices with 7 seconds left on the play clock, all players are set, and the snap is imminent.
a) Penalty for delay of game, 5-yard dead ball foul.
b) Penalty for illegal equipment, 5-yard live ball
foul.
c) The play should be shut down before the snap.
The player has to leave the game for at least one down and is not allowed to
return to the game until the hat is turned backwards.
d) It is too late to stop the play with the snap
imminent. The player should be warned after the play is completed.
C. In 2019, a rule change passed changing our rule to match the NCAA rule. We no longer have a penalty for illegal equipment, but an official can not allow a down to begin when a player is wearing illegal equipment. That player must sit out one down, and can't return until the equipment is made legal. The player may be allowed to return without missing a down if the team takes a charged time out.
10) TRUE or FALSE? During overtime, if the defensive team gains possession of a live ball, the ball becomes dead immediately and the down and series has ended for the offensive team.
TRUE. Here we have the same rule as high school football, which guarantees that both teams get at least one series on offense, and the game can't be won on a "Pick-6".
