Sports Equipment

Penalties Against Either Team
 
Spearing: A tackle or any kind of contact when the player leads the tackle with his helmet. The referee signals this by placing his closed fist against the side of his head.
 
Personal Foul: A player conducts himself in a way that can cause injury to another player or himself. The referees can make a judgment call to eject the player from the game depending on how malicious the act was. The referee signals this by moving one arm in a hammer striking or karate chop motion to his opposite wrist. This is just a 15-yard penalty if committed by the offense, however, an automatic first down is awarded to the offense if committed by a defensive player. If players from both teams are involved in the penalty, the penalties offset each other, and the down is replayed.
 
Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Any player or coach acts or speaks in a way the referees think is objectionable. Contact will not be involved as that would be a Personal Foul. These penalties can be verbal (taunting) or non-verbal (extended end zone celebration). The referee will signal with both arms extended to the sides perpendicular to the body with open hands. This is a 15-yard penalty.
 
Illegal Participation: When 12 or more players participate in a play by either team. No player may join the field of play once the play has begun, even if their team has less than 11 players on the field. This penalty is also called when a player runs out of bounds and touches the football whether by reception, or loose football recovery. This is a 15-yard penalty and the referee signals this by placing both hands on top of his head.
 
Substitution Infraction: When either team has 12 or more players in the huddle or if a player attempts to leave the field after the play has begun. The referee signals by placing their arm along the side of the body with their palm touching the opposite shoulder. This is a 5-yard penalty.

Sideline Infraction: When any coach or player on the sidelines breaches the sideline boundary. A referee typically issues a sideline warning before throwing a penalty flag. The first infraction is 5 yards and any following fouls are 15 yards.
 
Violations of the Equipment: When any player on the field is without the necessary safety equipment such as a mouthpiece or if their chin strap isn’t fastened. This is a 5-yard penalty.