What is the all but one principle in football rules?

Answer 1

The "all but one" principle is not actually a rule, but rather a guideline for officials in determining where the ball should be spotted following an offensive foul. The principle states that all fouls are penalized from the basic spot EXPECT a foul by the offense that occurs behind the basic spot.

First, to clarify what the "basic spot" is:

1. If the foul is prior to the snap or during a loose ball, the basic spot is the previous spot.
2. If the foul occurs during a run, the basic spot is the end of the run.
3. On a dead ball foul or a touchback, the basic spot is the succeeding spot.

The principle states that a team should be awarded only the distance that would have been gained without the assistance of a foul. Therefore, an offensive foul behind the basic spot is the ONLY type of foul that is penalized from the spot of the foul. All others are penalized from the basic spot (i.e., "all but one.")