What is the "all-but-one" enforcement principle?

Question 62 on the NFHS Part One Exam.

I'll give it a try
 

The all-but-one principle relates to enforcement of all penalties at the end of the run "but one"; the offense fouling at a spot behind the resulting spot on the play.
Example 1: A1 throws an imcomplete pass, but during the play B1 holds. The result of the play is the original line of scrimmage, so the penalty will be enforced from there (unless declined).
Example 2: A1 throws a completed pass to the A25, but there is holding on B1 at the A20. This time the penalty would be "tacked on" to the end of the run, the A25 (unless declined).
Example 3: A1 throws a completed pass to the A25, but A88 holds at the A20. This time, the foul is on the offense, so the penalty is "tacked on" at the A20, not the A25. The offense gained an unfair advantage with the hold at the A20, so they won't be awarded with any more yardage from that point (unless the penalty is declined).

Rule 10-6-6

Unless otherwise listed in Section 4 and 5, a penalty for a foul occurring during a play is enforced from the basic spot with the exception of a foul by the offense which occurs behind the basic spot during a loose ball play or running play. This particular foul is enforced from the spot of the foul.

Good try but...

All but one refers to the idea that all fouls but one are penalized from the BASIC SPOT. That one is a foul by A that occurs behind the basic spot, which is penalized from the spot of the foul.

In your examples, some info is missing to determine the basic spot.

1. Ok

2. When did the hold occur? If it was before the pass was completed, the foul is enforced from the previous spot which is the basic spot for a loose ball play.

3. Again, when did the hold occur? That will determine the basic spot.

Actually, the all but one principle means "all fouls are enforced from the basic spot except one (a foul by the offense behind the basic spot).

The end of the (related) run you used in your definition is the basic spot for a running play. The basic spot for loose ball plays is the previous spot (which you used in your example one).

Your example two is correct IF the holding by B occured during the running play, ie after A recieves the pass. If the holding occured during the loose ball play (snap through completion of the forward pass), the penalty would be assessed from the previous spot.

Your example three is an example of the "but one". Here there is a foul by the offense apparently behind the basic spot. I say "apparently" because as in example two, you have to know when A88 held. Was it during the loose ball play or the running play. Once you know this you define the basic spot and therefore you can determine whether the foul is behind the basic spot.

This is sometimes refered to as "3 and 1"

3 fouls are enforced from the end of the run;
1.A foul by the defense BEHIND the basic spot.
2.A foul by the defense BEYOND the basic spot.
3. A foul by the offense BEYOND the basic spot.

AND 1 foul is enforced from the spot of the foul, that foul being a foul by the offense BEHIND the basic spot.

Well and clearly put, Ed. I like jack015's simplification as well.

w_sohl, I recommend that you see Mike Sears' article on this at http://www.footballrefs.com (Go to the Articles drop down menu, click on "The Basics of Penalty Enforcement"); it should answer any questions that you may have.

There are a couple pages explaining this near the back of the rules book.
That will supplement the good responses so far.

Jack,

I think you mean from the basic spot, not the end of the run.

Oh, so this year’s test has some essay questions I see :)
The “all but one” means that all penalties for fouls are enforced from the basic spot accept one. That one exception is for fouls by the offence behind the basic spot, which are enforced from the spot of the foul.

That's the short of it. The long of it is that first you need to know the difference between a loose ball play and a running play so you can find the basic spot. The basic spot can be the previous spot, secceeding spot, end of the run or related run if more then one. Then you need to remember that the offence and defense can change during the down. Then you must remember the yardage of enforcement for all the fouls that can occur during a down and in-between downs. Then know that there are a few exceptions to the “all but one”. And don’t forget that live ball fouls that can be enforced as dead ball fouls. And you better know when to call a foul in the first place and if it’s really necessary. And don't forget your pre-snap duties, off-ball officiating, pass and running play keys.... and....and ...much much more .....OMG ...I got a lot of studying to do!

Good try Steve....but
Your statment is not true. It's fouls by the offence , not "fouls by A". A and B stay the same but the offence and defense can change during the down.



[Edited by James Neil on Aug 5th, 2003 at 10:43 AM]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by James Neil
[B]Good try Steve....but
Your statment is not true. It's fouls by the offence , not "fouls by A". A and B stay the same but the offence and defense can change during the down.



My bad!!!

The best explanation on the "All But One" penalty enforcement procedure was in Referee magazine. It was well written and took it one bite at a time.

Now for the life of me, I don't know which back issue it was, but it was within the last year.

Thanks for all of the replies, I am going into my first season as a football official (two in baseball and 10 in basketball). A little nervous, but I am going to a camp here in Illinois (IACAO) next weekend. My assignor, who happens to be one of my basketball assignors, has put a crew of young guys together. I am a little nervous about that because he told me that he wanted me to be the referee because he thought that I was the smartest of the bunch, boy I sure have him fooled. Anyway, thanks for all the help. Does anyone have the answer to 62?

Illegal Participation

62. If A1 accidentally goes out of bounds and returns during the down, it is illegal participation; and a foul during the down and the "all-but-one" enforcement principle is used. (T or F)

I would think that the answer is TRUE after reading the explanations above and the rule book, but if someone can give me the rules reference the would prove me right or wrong I would appreciate it.

The answer to #62 is True. The rule reference is 9-6-1