"Upon Further Review"

                TECHNICAL NOTE:  For those not aware, when viewing these videos in the You Tube window, you can adjust the resolution for a sharper view.  Notice in the lower right hand corner of the video player window a setting icon that looks like a gear.  Click on that and you can adjust the setting up to 360p, 480p or even 720p in some cases.  This will give you a sharper image.

           Kick Catch Interference ?   The "modified halo" has entered the game this season and gives potential kick receivers a specific, defined area of protection IN ADDITION TO  the more subjective general "unimpeded opportunity to complete the catch" which they have had for some time and continue to have.  The specifically protected area is the width of the receiver's shoulders extending 1 yard (arm's reach) in front of him.  If a Team A player is in this area as the ball is coming down and the receiver is trying to catch it, there is a foul.  Officials are reminded the rule change does not mean the only place where a Team A player can be charged with a foul is when he is in that defined area.  Whether the team A player is in that area or not, if the covering official judges he interfered with the receiver's opportunity to complete the kick catch, he has fouled.   It has been reported some conferences have instructed their officials to more loosely define the protected area as extending 1 yard out to the side of the potential receiver.  That would make the clearly defined area a semi-circle as opposed to the rectangle formed by the language of 6-4-1-b.  Please view the video and then take the poll that follows. 

            New Rule re the "KO Zone"    Significant changes to the rules on free kicks will likely have great impact on those plays this season.  Although the changes were well-communicated by the NCAA prior to the season, some teams and players may not have received the word or may not know how to change their methods in order to remain legal.  In this clip, Team A violates the rule twice, once on the first KO in the clip and again on the replay of the down following the penalty for the first foul.  Getting Around the "KO Zone" Rule Change?  Not surprisingly, ways of circumventing the rule have already started surfacing.  The intent of the rule change was to prevent Team A players from getting a significant running start and developing great momentum before they crossed the restraining line on their way downfield to make a play.   It would not be surprising to see an official bulletin soon from the NCAA/CFO regarding the method exemplified in this clip.  Do the Team A players gain significant momentum prior to the kick which they are able to maintain  as they get to the restraining line? 

         "Lost Helmet" Rule Change   Another rule change this year which could significantly impact a game at a key moment is the requirement for players who lose their helmets during play to sit out at least one down (unless the helmet came off as a direct result of a helmet foul.)  There are few fouls which will qualify for this exception (i.e. targeting the head area, facemask, illegal helmet contact, etc). Simply because a player is fouled does not mean he will not have to sit a down if he loses his helmet.  Ex:  Linebacker B45 is clipped and falls to the ground. When he hits the ground his helmet pops off.  Although Team A will be penalized for the clipping, B45 will still have to sit out one play.  In the video play, A87 was fouled and the foul caused the helmet to come off.  Therefore, he was allowed to remain in the game.  This play seems to match very closely with the CFO plays that call for a DQ of the offending player.   It might be helpful for R's to add language to their penalty enforcement announcements explaining why the player is not required to leave for a play.    Foul Causing Lost Helmet  This is another example of a helmet foul causing the helmet to come off thus removing the requirement for the player losing the helmet to sit out a play.   1 Play Means 1 Play   There was speculation when the rule change was first announced that officials would handle the situation similar to the way injuries are handled.  Many thought if a player lost his helmet on the last play of a quarter, the player could return to the game the first play of the next quarter.  The Rules Editor has cleared up any possible confusion and said that "1 play means 1 play."  If the player goes out on the last play of the half, he must sit the 1st play of the 2d half.  And if the helmet goes off on the last play of regulation in a tie game, he must sit the first play in Extra Periods.

             Targeting    There has been considerable attention given in recent years to the improper use of one's head when contacting an opponent and the improper deliberate attempt to hit the head and neck area of defenseless opponents.  Each year officials have been encouraged to continue these efforts and to consider the use of ejections where warranted to reinforce the seriousness with which these fouls are taken.  Each viewer can decide whether they would consider a disqualification for the action seen in this video.  What do you believe B2 was trying to accomplish? 

            HorseCollar Exception   All players are prohibited from grabbing the inside back collar of the shoulder pads or jersey, or the inside collar of the side of the shoulder pads
or jersey, and immediately pulling the ball carrier down. This does not apply to a ball carrier, including a potential passer, who is inside the tackle box.  Very dangerous looking play but legal nonetheless.  (However, the tackler's actions after the play may qualify as unsportsmanlike conduct in the eyes of some officials.)

          Intentional Grounding ?   Was this passer attempting to conserve yardage?  Did he throw the pass into an area where there is no eligible Team A receiver?  Was the passer outside the tackle box when he threw the pass?  Did the pass land beyond the neutral zone extended?  These are all questions which must be quickly answered in the Referee's mind so he can rule on the legality of this pass.  You make the call. 

           DPI ?    Defenders have quite a bit of latitude while contacting receivers until the pass is in the air.  Defensive players may use hands and arms to push, pull, ward off or lift
offensive players obviously attempting to block them. Defensive players may ward off or legally block an eligible pass receiver until that player occupies the same yard line as the defender or until the opponent could not possibly block him. (9-3-4-c)  In this video, it is difficult to determine when the ball was thrown in relation to when the defender contacted the receiver.   But even if the contact was before the pass was thrown, was that contact legal under 9-3-4-c?