What type of foul causes the play to be automatically called dead?

When analyzing the situation surrounding fouls that cause a play to be automatically called dead, it's important to understand the nature of the specific types of fouls. Both personal fouls and false starts are classified as fouls that lead to immediate stoppage of play.

A personal foul, which is a serious violation such as unnecessary roughness or targeting, results in the referee halting the play to ensure player safety and to enforce the rules. This foul is recognized for its severity and the implications for the safety of the participants, necessitating that the play be stopped right away.

Similarly, a false start occurs when an offensive player illegally moves before the snap of the ball, disrupting the structure of the play. This action denotes that the offensive team was not properly set, and thus the play cannot commence as intended. The game officials immediately call the play dead to maintain fair play and to uphold the rules regarding the snap.

Both of these fouls showcase scenarios where the integrity of the game is compromised, and halting the play is essential for enforcement of the rules. Therefore, selecting both personal foul and false start as the reasons for an automatic dead play is accurate, demonstrating an understanding of when and why officials stop the game to address rule violations.