MAY 31, 2006
Last Week's Pop Quiz Rules Question: The Giants kick off with a surprise onsides kick from their 30 yard line. At their 38 yard line (i.e., before the ball has gone 10 yards), David Tyree touches the ball in an attempt to recover it. However, he ends up pushing it forward across the 40 yard line where, in the scramble to recover the ball, a Redskins player grabs the face mask of a Giants player and pulls him to the ground. The ball is eventually recovered by the Giants at their 45 yard line. Whose ball is it and where is the ball next put in play?
Answer: As both fouls (i.e., illegal touching by the Giants and face mask by the Redskins) occurred prior to the ball being recovered, the fouls occurred during the same "interval" and the penalties offset and the ball will be rekicked by the Giants from the 30 yard line.
This week's question:
With the ball on the Giants 20 yard line, the ball is snapped to Manning who is under center. He tosses the ball to Barber who rolls out to his right looking for a receiver. Not finding one, he throws a forward pass back to Manning who is standing on the left hash mark at the Giants 23 yard line all alone. Manning runs to the Giants 35 yard line where he goes out of bounds. Where is the ball next put in play?
MAY 30, 2006
This is not so much a question as it is a comment. Changing "review time" from 90 seconds to 60 seconds is a joke. I have yet to see a "review" completed in 90 seconds! The ref stares into the TV monitor for ages. Now, the question part: Is the "90 second review" just the time while he's staring into the monitor? Even so, I know it's been longer than 90 seconds that many of them use for that. So, expecting them to do it in 60 seconds is ludicrous. By my comments, you can see that I dislike the rule in the first place. But, I know that it's something that will never go away. — Jim V.
There is a timer that is set from the time that the Referee begins to view the play until the time limit is reached. Last year, that limit was 90 seconds, this year it is 60 seconds. That time only covers when the tape is actually being reviewed by the Referee. Prior to the review, the Referee may be talking to the Replay official asking him what he has seen and what views does he have. (This often varies widely depending on how many cameras are being used on the game.)
He may also be explaining exactly what is being challenged. After the time limit is up, the Referee will typically tell the replay offical what his call is going to be and then ask for the status of the ball (i.e., where should it be placed, what is the down, what time should be on the clock, etc.). This may require the Replay official to take another look at the play. These things take time.
Often, the Referee is then told to hold off on announcing his decision because TV is away for a commercial. The typical total delay including talking to the coach beforehand and getting to the replay machine is upwards of 5+ minutes. Many officials (and others) will agree with you that it is too long and unnecessary. But with the NFL owners expanding the things that can be challenged and all NCAA Division 1 conferences going to replay, it is here to stay.
MAY 28, 2006
Additional clarifications regarding the new NFL rules for the 2006 season continue to be received. In addition to the previously discussed changes in the rules regarding: a) hitting “a passer” (not necessarily the QB) below the knees, b) “horse collars” which will now include reaching and grabbing inside the shirt rather than just inside the shoulder pads, c) avoiding contact with the center while he is snapping for “scoring kicks,” (i.e., not applicable for punting situations), and the changes in “celebration” rules, the following have recently been distributed to officials:
- The Referee will now have only 60 seconds to review a play as opposed to the 90 seconds in effect last year. The time does not include any time necessary to reset the situation on the field following the review;
- The play in which a runner is ruled “down by contact” (i.e., the whistle is blown) on the field is now subject to review. If it is ruled that the player was not down when the ball comes loose and the defense recovers, it will be the defense’s ball. All penalties incurred during this “continuing action” scenario will be assessed as if they are live ball fouls.
- On punts and field goals, no kicking team member may deliberately block a receiving team member in the back while the ball is in flight. (This was a somewhat gray area in the old rules).
- All kicking team fouls that occur before the actual change of possession may be enforced from the end of the return or at the previous spot. Last year, only a few fouls so qualified. Clarification is still required regarding whether this will include penalties such as holding that occur behind the LOS.
- Any foul that includes the option to carry the yardage over to the succeeding spot may cause the period to be extended. The change includes all kicking team fouls prior to a change of possession and is related to numbers 3 and 4 above.
- The kicking team must have at least four players on each side of the kicker when the ball is kicked for a free kick (i.e., kick-off). This will eliminate the old situation of lining up 8 or 9 players to one side when attempting an onsides kick.
As we approach the season, there will be additional changes, clarifications and revised interpretations made available and we will report on these as they are issued.
For those of you who follow college football as well, the NCAA has instituted a number of rules changes intended to speed up the game. These include shortening halftime from 20 to 15 minutes, starting the clock when the teams are ready following a change of possession, and allowing the receiving team to accept penalty assessment for certain kicking team fouls at the end of the kick return rather than returning to the previous spot for a rekick. It appears that both the NFL and NCAA are working to eliminate the “rekick” situation as injuries often occur on such plays.
Again, further clarifications and ramifications will become known as officials attend multiple pre-season clinics that begin in late-June.
MAY 25, 2006
Can you explain the rule regarding "free kicks" and/or "fair catch kicks" in the NFL (forgive me if my terminology is off somehow). I saw an NFL exhibition game about ten years back where the first half ended with only the kicker and holder on the field attempting a very long field goal (that ultimately failed). I distinctly remember the announcer using the term "free kick" to describe this scenario and then inexplicably NEVER explained to the audience exactly what happened or what rule allowed this unusual event to occur. I have never seen it since. – Derek P.
Rule 10-1-6 states that: "When a fair catch is declared for a team, the captain must choose either: a) a "fair catch kick" (drop kick or place kick without a tee) to be made on or behind the mark of the catch, or b) a snap to put the ball in play." This rule is applicable throughout the game but makes little if any sense at any time other than the end of the half or the game. [Remember, a fair catch can be made on a scrimmage kick (punt) or a free kick (kick-off).] Obviously, in virtually all instances, choice "b" is selected.
However, in the instance that you cite, the receiving team obviously opted for choice "a." In this instance, the defensive team must back away at least 10 yards (like on a kick-off) and the kicker can kick the ball while it is being held by a holder. If the kick passes through the uprights, it is a field goal. If it is caught be the defense it can be returned like any other scrimmage kick. However, if it just comes to rest in the field of play or the end zone, the play is over.
As there is no rule that a team have 11 or less players on the field at any time, the coach of the defensive team must have decided to pull his players off the field to avoid any silly/stupid penalties like an offsides. On such a "free kick," the kicking team cannot cover/recover the ball downfield (after it has gone 10 yards) like they can on a kick-off nor can they change their mind and decide to run or pass the ball instead. So the defense is safe in having no players on the field.
There are other situations associated with such a play, which are covered the Supplemental Notes to Rule 10-1-6, that address what happens if time runs out during the initial kicking play (the receiving team can still attempt a kick) or if the receiver of the initial kick calls for a fair catch but is then interfered with (i.e., the receivers will receive an awarded fair catch at the point of interference and a 15 yard penalty to move the ball closer to the goal line where they can attempt the "fair catch kick"). These notes also indicate that if the receivers do not signal for a fair catch but are interfered with, they can put the ball in play with a snap following the penalty (one untimed down) but do not have the "free kick" option.
This is a play that comes up about once a decade and I am often surprised that it doesn't happen more often, especially late in the game.
As an aside, there is no similar rule in college (NCAA rules) but almost the same rule exists in high school (National Federation rules).
MAY 24, 2006
Answer to last week’s question:
Rule 3-21-1 defines a forward pass by saying: “It is a forward pass if (a) the ball initially moves forward after leaving the passers hand …” and that “a backwards pass is any pass that’s not a forward pass.” So the key thing in this question is the ruling by the covering official (or officials) whether the ball initially went forward or backward, not where the ball eventually landed. If it is ruled that the pass initially (as it left Barber's hand) went backwards, the ball is a grounded backwards pass that is a loose ball that can be recovered by the defense and advanced. So in this case, the next play would be for the Redskins at the Giants 20 yard line, 1st and 10. If it is ruled that the ball initially went forward when it left his hand, then it would be an incomplete illegal forward pass (beyond the LOS) that could not be recovered by the Redskins and the Giants would be penalized 5 yards from the spot where the ball was thrown and loss of down. However, in this case, as Barber had gained enough yardage for a first down before throwing the errant pass, it would be first and 10 for the Giants from the Redskins 45 yard line.
Question for this week:
The Giants kick off with a surprise onsides kick from their 30 yard line. At their 38 yard line (i.e., before the ball has gone 10 yards), David Tyree touches the ball in an attempt to recover it. However, he ends up pushing it forward across the 40 yard line where, in the scramble to recover the ball, a Redskins player grabs the face mask of a Giants player and pulls him to the ground. The ball is eventually recovered by the Giants at their 45 yard line. Whose ball is it and where is the ball next put in play?
MAY 20, 2006
Recently, there has been quite a lot of talk about Doug Flutie's drop kick PAT. I have been looking around the web at the different rules pertaining to this long forgotten style of kicking. They recently (last ten years)changed the rules so that a player can not attempt a drop kick field goal beyond the line of scrimmage, from open play down field.
I wish I new about that when I was playing in high school. We had an open minded coach in high school that used a lot of trickery. I played football at Springbrook High School, Silver Spring, MD with Sean Springs, Redskins CB, back in the early 90's.
My question is about using a drop kick as an onside kick attempt if your team is losing and looking to recover the ball.
If you drop kick the football on a kickoff, does this negate the fair catch option of the opposing team?
If so, why not have the kicker attempt to drop kick the ball as high as he can, so that the kicking team can amass under the falling ball for a basketball style jump ball. There would be higher probability of the kicking team recovring this way.
What's your thoughts? -- Jim C.
Use of a drop kick to kick off is permitted by rule. However, one must remember the difference between a "catch" of a kick and a "recovery" of a kick. The term "catch" means that the ball has not touched the ground after it is kicked. In this case, players of the receiving team must be given a clear opportunity to "catch" the ball whether or not they have given the fair catch signal. The "clear opportunity" includes an unabated path to the ball while it is in the air. Thus, unless the drop kick somehow hits the ground after (i.e., hitting the ground before being kicked does not count) being kicked, the kicking team must avoid the ball and the receivers until the ball is touched by the receivers. This is the reason that when attempting an onsides kick from placement, the kicker first causes the ball to go down to the ground before it pops up into the air. Once it has hit the ground and gone 10 yards (unless first touched by the receivers), it can then be "recovered" by the kicking team. So given your question about drop kicking the ball high in the air, the fair catch restrictions do not end and it would most likely end up as an interference penalty against the kicking team which is 15 yards and an awarded fair catch at the spot of the foul.
I am somewhat confused regarding your comment about the rules being changed regarding a drop kick beyond the line of scrimmage. I have checked both the high school and college rules back to 1975 and both rule books indicate that a field goal could only be scored by a "kick from scrimmage" (i.e., either a placement or a drop kick) and the term "kick from scrimmage" or "scrimmage kick" is defined as a kick in or behind the Line of Scrimmage. So if there was any change in the rules regarding the use of a drop kick to score a field goal from beyond the LOS, it was at least 30 years ago (and based on my discussions with officials who have been around even longer than I have, they don't remember such a rule even in the early 1960's). I have also checked with veteran NFL officials and none of them remember such a rule at least back through the mid-1970's. For at least 30 years, a drop kick or any other kick (i.e., punt) made beyond the line of scrimmage would be considered an "illegal kick" (not "illegally kicking the ball") and the penalty (in the NFL) is 10 yards from the spot of the kick.
If a rule regarding allowing drop kicks beyond the LOS existed on any level, it probably was changed in the 1950's or earlier but if you can cite something official that is more recent, we would love to know about it.
ANSWER TO LAST WEEK'S RULES POP QUIZ:
As the receivers got the ball with "clean hands" (i.e., they had not fouled before they gained possession) they are given the opportunity to decline the penalty on the kicking team and keep the ball. If they do so, then the kicking team will be given the opportunity to accept the penalty against the receivers which they will obviously do. The penalty would be marked off from the end of the run, the 10 yard line, as the run ended behind the spot of the foul. As a result, it will be the receivers ball, 1st and 10, at the 5 yard line.
If the receivers decide to accept the penalty against the kickers for the infraction before the kick, the fouls offset and the down will be replayed. So you must give the options to the receiving team before proceeding.
NEW QUESTION:
Giants ball first and 10 at their own 30. Tiki Barber runs to the Redskins 40 yard line where he attempts to lateral the ball to Toomer who is trailing the play. Unfortunately, due to Barber's momentum, the ball goes forward and lands (i.e., hits the ground) at the Redskins 37 yard line where it is scooped up by a Redskins LB who returns the ball to the Giants 20 yard line before he is tackled. Where is the ball spotted for the next play?
MAY 17, 2006
What is the rule when two players of opposing teams catch the ball together?
Assuming a situation where in basketball you would have a jump ball - what happens in the NFL? — Mike E.
When there is a "simultaneous catch of a pass, the ball goes to the offense. When there is a simultaneous catch/recovery of a fumble, the ball goes to the team last in possession. However, it needs to be remembered that the term "simultaneous" requires all things to be done by the two players at exactly the same time (i.e., if they both possess the ball in mid-air at the same time but one player comes to the ground with his feet first, it is his ball). This is often a very difficult call to make so in most instances, the ball will stay with the team last in possession.
MAY 13, 2006
This is the time of year when Mike Perreira and the NFL Officiating Supervisors visit the teams during mini-camps to discuss the “Points of Emphasis” for the 2006 season. To the uninitiated, “Points of Emphasis” are those things in the rules where the rule has not changed from last season but the owners have asked the officials to pay particular attention to how and why a certain call is made. For 2006, there are four Points of Emphasis (POE).
The first one is related to Offensive Holding. Particular attention will (supposedly) be paid to situations where the blocker keeps his hands outside of the frame of the body (i.e., outside the shoulders or around to the back) and either controls the defensive player at the point of attack or pulls the defensive player to the ground. The offensive player may still push the defensive player to the ground but the intent is to avoid the situation where the blocker just grabs the jersey and pulls the defensive player down in a manner that could affect the defensive player’s ability to make a tackle or impact the play. The penalty remains 10 yards from the previous line of scrimmage.
The second POE is Illegal Contact Downfield. The owners want any contact on an eligible receiver initiated by the defense further than 5 yards downfield called as a penalty even if the QB is looking in another direction or about to throw to a receiver on the other side of the field. If the pass has not been released and defense-initiated contact occurs on an eligible pass receiver, the penalty, 5 yards and an automatic first down, should be called.
The third POE is related to “taunting.” This is in addition to the change this year in the “no demonstration” rule that was added at the Owners meeting. Taunting is to be called if a player, usually a defensive back or wide receiver, gets in the face of a member of the opposite team and continues to say things or attempt to show up the other player. Supposedly, the “taunting” player will be allowed to make some quick comments but then must get away and go back to his huddle. Anything that is considered extended or excessive is to be called. The penalty is 15 yards for Unsportsmanlike Conduct.
The fourth POE is related to pre-snap movement by the offense. We have all seen situations where the Center (or other offensive linemen) is/are moving his head from side to side calling out the defense at the time of the snap. This year, all players on the line must come to a full stop, at least momentarily, with all parts of their body before the ball is snapped. If they do not, the play will be shut down as if it is a false start and a 5 yard penalty assessed.
Of course, it will be interesting to see how these fouls are actually called as there are often significant changes made and additional guidance developed as the teams go through the pre-season schedule.
RULES POP QUIZ:
Team A is in an illegal formation when it punts the ball away to Team B. B17 fields the punt on his own 20 yard line and bellies back in an attempt to get to the “picket line” of blockers set up near the sideline. During B17’s run, B45 blocks an A player in the back at the B14 yard line. B17 fails to make it “around the corner” and is tackled at his own 10 yard line. What options need to be given to the Captains?
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