Context: In most cases, the non-penalized team will have the option of declining the penalty; in which case the results of the previous play stand as if the penalty had not been called. One notable exception to this rule is if the kicking team on a 3rd down punt play is penalized before the kick occurs: the receiving team may not decline the penalty and take over on downs. After the kick is made, change of possession occurs and subsequent penalties are assessed against either the spot where the ball is caught, or the runback.

Question: Who can decline a penalty?
Answer: the non-penalized team

Question: A team receiving a punt cannot decline a penalty on which down?
Answer: 3rd down

Question: The outcome of which play determines the placement of the ball when a penalty is declined?
Answer: the previous play

Question: What can a team do when they prefer the original outcome of a play to the situation they would have with a penalty assessed on the other team for that play?
Answer: decline the penalty

Question: Who can decline a previous play?
Answer: Unanswerable

Question: What will stand as if the 3rd down punt play had not been called?
Answer: Unanswerable

Question: After the runback is made what happens?
Answer: Unanswerable

Question: What is an exception to the change of possession for the non-penalized team?
Answer: Unanswerable

Question: After change of possession, what are assessed against the kicking team or the receiving team?
Answer: Unanswerable