What penalty is given for illegal personal contact outside the restricted area?

The correct penalty for illegal personal contact outside the restricted area is indeed 15 yards. This type of penalty is considered significant because it involves a violation of player safety rules and proper conduct on the field. Illegal personal contact includes actions such as hitting or pushing an opponent unnecessarily, which can lead to injury.

The 15-yard penalty reflects the seriousness with which the NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations) treats player safety and sportsmanship. Such a penalty can substantially impact the momentum of a game by not only giving the opposing team a more advantageous position on the field but also by emphasizing the importance of adhering to safety rules during gameplay.

While there are other penalties in the rulebook that may incur less yardage, such as 5 yards for minor infractions or 10 yards for certain other fouls, illegal personal contact is viewed as a more severe violation and is therefore penalized more heavily to deter dangerous behavior and maintain a safe playing environment.