Safety | NFL Football Operations (2024)

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Rule 11 Section 5

Safety

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SECTION 5 - SAFETY

ARTICLE 1. SAFETY

It is a Safety:

  1. if the offense commits a foul in its own end zone or;
  2. when an impetus by a team sends the ball behind its own goal line, and the ball is dead in the end zone in its possession or the ball is out of bounds behind the goal line.

Exceptions:

It is not a safety:

  1. If a forward pass from behind the line of scrimmage is incomplete in the end zone.
  2. If a defensive player, in the field of play, intercepts a pass or catches or recovers a fumble, backward pass, scrimmage kick, free kick, or fair catch kick, and his original momentum carries him into his end zone where the ball is declared dead in his team’s possession. The ball belongs to the defensive team at the spot where the player’s foot or other body part touched the ground to establish possession. If that spot is in the end zone, the result of the play is a touchback, even if the ball is not on, above, or beyond the goal line. (11-6-1)
    1. If a player of the team which intercepts, catches, or recovers the ball commits a live-ball foul in the end zone, it is a safety.
    2. If a player who intercepts, catches, or recovers the ball throws a completed illegal forward pass from the end zone, the ball remains alive. If his opponent intercepts the illegal pass thrown from the end zone, the ball remains alive. If he scores, it is a touchdown.
    3. If a player of the team which intercepts, catches, or recovers the ball commits a foul in the field of play, and the ball becomes dead in the end zone, the basic spot is the spot of the change of possession.
    4. If the spot where possession changed is inside the one-yard line, the ball is to be spotted at the one-yard line.

Notes:

  1. A ball in the end zone which is carried toward the field of play is still in the end zone until the entire ball is in the field of play (3-12-4).
  2. The impetus is always attributed to the offense, unless the defense creates a new force that sends the ball behind its own goal line by muffing a ball which is at rest or nearly at rest, or by batting or kicking any loose ball (3-17).

ARTICLE 2. BALL IN PLAY AFTER SAFETY

After a safety, the team scored upon must put the ball in play by a free kick (punt, dropkick, or placekick) from its 20-yard line. An artificial or manufactured tee cannot be used. See 6-1-1-b and 6-1-3.

Exception: For extension of either half, see 4-8-2-g.

Additional Rules

Play Clock

  • Rule 4 Section 6

Overtime Rules

  • Rule 16 Section 1 Article 4

Kickoff Rules

  • Rule 6 Sections 1-2

Scoring Plays

  • Rule 11 Sections 1-5

Forward Pass

  • Rule 8 Section 1

Backward Pass

  • Rule 8 Section 7

Ineligible Receiver

  • Rule 8 Section 1 Article 6

Fumbling in the End Zone

  • Rule 8 Section 7 Article 3

Down by Contact

  • Rule 7 Section 2 Article 1

Use of the Helmet

  • Rule 12 Section 2 Article 10

Roughing the Passer

  • Rule 12 Section 2 Article 11

Completing a Catch

  • Rule 8 Section 1 Articles 3-4

Non-Football Act Fouls

  • Rule 12 Section 3

Facemask

  • Rule 12 Section 2 Article 15

Fair Catch

  • Rule 10 Section 2

Clipping

  • Rule 3 Section 6

Illegal Formation

  • Rule 7 Section 5 Article 1

Illegal Motion

  • Rule 7 Section 4 Article 8

Illegal Shift

  • Rule 7 Section 4 Article 7

Defensive Pass Interference

  • Rule 8 Section 5

Offensive Pass Interference

  • Rule 8 Section 5

Offensive Holding

  • Rule 12 Section 1 Article 3

Illegal Contact

  • Rule 8 Section 4 Articles 1-4

Defensive Holding

  • Rule 12 Section 1 Article 6

Horse Collar

  • Rule 12 Section 2 Article 16

Chop Block

  • Rule 12 Section 2 Article 5

Low Block

  • Rule 12 Section 2 Article 4

Illegal Use of Hands / Facemask

  • Rule 12 Section 1 Article 3

Pre-Snap Fouls

  • Rule 3 Section 4 Article 2

Neutral Zone Infraction

  • Rule 7 Section 4 Article 4

Illegal Block Above the Waist

  • Rule 12 Section 1 Article 3

Defenseless Player

  • Rule 12 Section 2 Article 9

Illegal Peel Back Block

  • Rule 12 Section 2 Article 2

Roughing or Running Into the Kicker

  • Rule 12 Section 2 Article 12

Intentional Grounding

  • Rule 8 Section 2

Safety | NFL Football Operations (1)

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Safety | NFL Football Operations (2024)

FAQs

What is football operations? ›

These roles are particularly common at colleges and with NFL teams. Someone in a football operations role may help coach players, support other staff, coordinate travel, and serve as the liaison for many people working with the team. These jobs tend to emphasize recruitment.

How can I make my football more safe? ›

Football gear that can lower the risk of injury includes:
  1. Helmet. All football helmets should have a hard plastic outer shell and a thick layer of padding. ...
  2. Pants with leg pads. Players should wear pads on their hips, thighs, knees, and tailbone. ...
  3. Shoulder pads. ...
  4. Shoes. ...
  5. Mouthguard. ...
  6. Athletic supporter with cup.

What is a safety in football overtime? ›

In gridiron football, a safety is scored when the ball becomes dead behind the goal line of the team in possession of the ball (unless the ball arrived in the end zone due to impetus from the other team).

What does a manager of football operations do? ›

Oversee the maintenance and management of all training and match equipment including goal post covers. Coordinate submission of running sheets and match reports after both home and away games. Ensure players attending League tribunal hearings are supported by quality advocates.

What do football operations interns do? ›

Primary Responsibilities will involve assisting the Executive Administrator to the Head Coach and the Director of Operations with the logistics related to the day-to-day operation of a professional football team.

What is a safety in football? ›

ARTICLE 1. SAFETY. It is a Safety: if the offense commits a foul in its own end zone or; when an impetus by a team sends the ball behind its own goal line, and the ball is dead in the end zone in its possession or the ball is out of bounds behind the goal line.

How rare is a safety in football? ›

Safeties are the least common method of scoring in American football but are not rare occurrences – a safety has occurred around once every 14 games in the history of the National Football League (NFL), or about once a week under current scheduling rules.

Is football safer without helmets? ›

They don't. Helmets protect the skull from fractures. Concussions are caused when the brain moves inside the skull; helmets do little if anything to prevent the brain from rattling inside the skull.

What are the two types of safety in football? ›

The safeties are defensive backs who line up ten to fifteen yards from the line of scrimmage. There are two variations of the position: the free safety and the strong safety. Their duties depend on the defensive scheme.

What is the difference between a touchback and a safety? ›

On one hand you have a touchback -- the team with the football gets an offensive possession started at their own 25-yard line. On the other hand, a safety -- the team with the football not only loses possession of the football altogether, but the opposite team scores 2 points.

Why do teams punt after a safety? ›

Teams can elect to take their free kick without the use of a tee after a safety (unlike after a TD, FG or start of the half/overtime). Punts, in general, have much better net yardage, which is why teams elect to punt. The average punt return is around 5 yards while the average kick return is around 20.

Is safety a hard position? ›

Safety is one of the more challenging positions to play in football. The position can in many ways be considered a hybrid between a linebacker and a cornerback. As such, it requires a varied skillset and body type unlike that of many other positions.

What is the most respected position in football? ›

1: Quarterback. There's no doubt what the most important position on the field is: quarterback. Only the quarterback touches the ball on every offensive snap, and only the quarterback is the triggerman for the passing game. No other player can do more to win—or lose—a professional football game.

What does operations do in sports? ›

At the league level operations managers deal with the day to day operations of the league itself, including: fining players for detrimental conduct, hiring and firing umpires, referees and other event officials, and creating and managing league policy.

What do game operations do? ›

Working in games operations means handling virtually every aspect of the game, including the music, videos, mascots, sponsorships, cheerleaders, parking, security, and special events.

What is a football operations assistant? ›

The Administrative and Operations Assistant, Football provides support and managerial assistance in the implementation of various operational functions of the football program.

What operation teams do? ›

Operations management teams measure, evaluate, maintain and improve internal processes to help ensure their efficiency and productivity.

What are the 4 types of operation? ›

What are the 4Vs of Operations Management? The 4Vs – the 4 dimensions of operations are: Volume, Variety, Variation and Visibility. They can be used to assess all different types of business operations and understand how any why they operate, their key competitive strengths, weaknesses and different approaches.

What are the 7 main function of operational management? ›

We can distinguish seven main functions of operation management in the industrial enterprise: planning, scheduling, purchasing, controlling, quality control and inventory control. In each of those fields operations managers should conduct many decision affecting of-organization effectiveness.

What are the 10 operations management activities? ›

The 10 decisions of operations management
  • Goods and services.
  • Quality management.
  • Process and capacity design.
  • Location.
  • Layout design and strategy.
  • Human resources and job design.
  • Supply chain management.
  • Inventory.
Jul 28, 2021

What comes with the game Operation? ›

Includes gameboard, tweezers, 12 plastic ailments (including rubber band), and game guide. For 1 or more players. Adult assembly required. Requires 2 1.5V"AA" alkaline batteries (demo batteries included).

Why is game day operations important? ›

A gameday operations internship is a fantastic way to interact with top players, gain experience, and propel your sports career. Game day operations are all about handling and managing the fans, media, and other groups on gameday.

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