I get confused as to what constitutes a running play versus a loose ball play.

Say that B2 pushes A2 in the back as he is making his cut on an out pattern - illegal use of hands. A1 (QB) is focused only on this receiver so he gets sacked for a 10 yard loss.

Since he never threw the pass, it is a running play, right?
So the spot of enforcement for the penalty is the end of the run. Doesn't seem fair. Or am I getting this wrong?

You got it exactly right. It seems awkward but it's a running play and the enforcement is from the end of the run. Consider the following play. 4th and 10 and QB fades back to pass and gets tackled (twisted and pulled) by the facemask 20 yards behind the line of scrimmage. After enforcement of the penalty it's 4th and 15.

And don't consider an illegal forward pass as loose ball play. Say the QB throws the ball 2 yards beyond the LOS. Many younger officials think that's loose ball play. The rule says in part "Legal forward pass."

The best way to understand the difference is exactly how the rule book has it spelled out. Understand all the situations that define loose ball play and everything else is a running play.

Florida Rookie, when I started up quite a while ago, I was given a really good packet that explained penalty enforcement. It had some great plays, with diagrams explaining if loose ball, running play, and everything else covered under the "all but one" principle. I will look for it when I get home, and if I have it, I would be happy to share it with you. It explained it very, very well and is a great tool for any new official.

REPLY: Florida Rookie...send me an e-mail with your own e-mail address, an I'll forward something I have on enforcement. It has an appendix that gives a pretty good summary of loose ball and running plays. ([email protected])

Here's something that one of you posted on this forum earlier in the year. This is excellent and definitely a "bookmark" in my browser that I won't be deleting any time soon. I don't recall where it came from but very much appreciate the person who authored this article.

http://www.footballrefs.com/show_article.php?id=3

I recognize that article. It's from a frequent contributor here known as BobM.

Trust me, I don't get any commission for recommending this or any other manual, but this one is worth it.

2004 Official's Study Guide to the NFHS Football Rules**
by George Demetriou & Rogers Redding

It can be found at several places. Here's one such place:
https://thatsitideas.com/doublesdist...onlineform.htm

To funny. I actually thought it was Bob who wrote that but then I wasn't sure since he didn't reference it in his post. Bob please excuse me if I stole your thunder.

I did find the copy I mentioned above. I have BobM's and the NCAA FB Study guide. The copy I have is very simple, but very good, 6 pages with 8 diagrams to go along with it. The diagrams make it very easy to understand, and has helped many young officials I have shared it with. It has multiple loose ball and running play combinations with plays going along with each. Not sure where it came from as it was handed to me by the official who got me started and has no reference that can be found. Send me an email if you would like it. [email protected]

REPLY: I've actually updated the article for 2004 rules and also included an Appendix which emphasizes the distinctions between loose ball plays and running plays. That's specifically what Florida Rookie was looking for.