Confused on 4th down OPI

[Refsmitty]

Situation is 4th and 10... A is called for OPI - pass is incomplete... if B declines the penalty do they just get the ball due to turnover on downs or do they also get the 15 yard penalty for the OPI.

I am thinking they just get the ball and the 15 yards and loss of down is not an issue.

What if the pass was complete for a first down and OPI was called? I think that B get the ball by declining the penalty - now a turnover on downs - correct?

I am unable to locate that sit in case book

[jTheUmp]

It's not in the casebook because it's straightforward penalty enforcement. B can either accept the penalty, or decline ALL of the penalty.

For the sake of discussion, let's say the ball is snapped at B's 20 yard line, 4th and 10.

Situation 1:
OPI, pass falls incomplete.
a) accept the penalty, first and 10 for B at B's 35.
b) decline the penalty, first and 10 for B at B's 20.

Situation 2:
OPI, pass completed and down at B's 8 yard line.
a) accept the penalty, first and 10 for B at B's 35.
b) decline the penalty, first and goal for A at B's 8.

Why would B ever decline the penalty?

[Refsmitty]

Damn good question!

I am getting myself confused with the loss of down part of the penalty - which doesn't come into play in this situation - correct?

[bisonlj]

Originally Posted by Refsmitty

Damn good question!

I am getting myself confused with the loss of down part of the penalty - which doesn't come into play in this situation - correct?

Actually it comes into play significantly. If it didn't A would get to replay the down if B accepted the penalty. Because it carries a loss of down B can accept the penatly, get the 15 yards and then get the ball.

[Refsmitty]

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by Refsmitty

Situation is 4th and 10... A is called for OPI - pass is incomplete... if B declines the penalty do they just get the ball due to turnover on downs or do they also get the 15 yard penalty for the OPI.

I am thinking they just get the ball and the 15 yards and loss of down is not an issue.

What if the pass was complete for a first down and OPI was called? I think that B get the ball by declining the penalty - now a turnover on downs - correct?

I am unable to locate that sit in case book

CANADIAN RULING:

Decline the penalty reverts to an incomplete pass, so a turnover on downs.
Accept the penalty is loss of 15 yards (unrestricted), down repeated.