NFL Rules & Regulations on Out of Bounds

A ball carrier in the NFL needs to know precisely where his feet are at all times when he gets close to the sideline. If he puts his foot--even one toe--on white paint rather than green grass, the play is dead. NFL rules spell out what constitutes out of bounds for both a player and the ball and the penalties associated with the call.

  1. Field Markings

    • Under NFL rules, the entire field of play must be surrounded by a white-painted border 6 feet wide. This white area and everything beyond it are out of bounds.

    Going Out of Bounds

    • If any part of a player's body or clothing touches the white border around the field perimeter, that player is out of bounds. If the player is carrying the ball, then the ball is dead at that spot. Also, a player who steps out of bounds cannot be the first player to touch a thrown or kicked ball. For example, a receiver or defensive back couldn't go out of bounds, run the length of the field, then emerge to catch the ball in bounds. If the ball touches another player first--such as a tipped pass--then the player returning from out of bounds can catch it.

      Any player who goes out of bounds must attempt to get back on the field as soon as possible. If he doesn't, he can be flagged for a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

    Fumbles

    • If a fumbled ball touches the white border it is dead, and the team that fumbled the ball retains possession at the spot where the fumble occurred--not where the ball went out of bounds. However, if a fumble rolls or bounces into the defensive team's end zone and goes out of bounds from there, then it's a touchback, and the defensive team gets possession of the ball at its own 20-yard line. If an offensive player fumbles the ball in his own end zone and it bounces out of bounds, it's a safety, which is 2 points for the defense.

    Clock

    • The game clock stops when a ball carrier steps out of bounds. For most of the game, the clock restarts when the officials spot the ball for the next play from scrimmage and the referee signals the clock operator to wind the clock. But during the last two minutes of the first half and the last five minutes of the fourth quarter, the clock starts only when the ball is snapped for the next play.

    Catches

    • A receiver catching the ball at the sidelines must get both feet in bounds and maintain control of the ball for the catch to be legal.