Penalty enforcement FED

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by ajmc

Although the original question wasn't specifically about a facemask foul, and in practice a 5 yard facemask foul would most normally apply to a live ball situation, there is absolutely nothing that restricts such a foul to live ball only.

Are you sure?

Originally Posted by 2009 Rule Book

POINTS OF EMPHASIS

HELMET AND FACE MASK

p. 82-3: Similarly, the official should see and penalize incidental grasping when, for example,
a player momentarily grasps the mask, helmet opening or chin strap, but does not affect
the head or neck movement. “Incidental” means that something happened within the context
of a play, but has only minimal effect.

Since "a play" refers to either a loose-ball play or a running play, I think it follows that the 5-yard, "incidental" face mask foul can be called only during a live ball.