"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.

           Helmet Off and Continued Participation   This play has 2 issues worth reviewing.    The first is the helmet-to-helmet contact between the RB, A24, and B25.  Should either player be assessed a foul for this hit?  If you ruled there was a foul by B25 then the ball carrier would not normally have to sit out a play even though he had lost his helmet since the foul directly caused the helmet to come off.  However, in this play, the ball carrier was injured and therefore, WOULD have to sit out a play because of the injury timeout.   Very soon after the ball carrier's helmet came off, he was hit by B89.  Does this contact qualify as a foul for hitting a player without a helmet?    Please view the video and then take the poll that follows. 

         "Zap 10" Example     This is a good example of a play situation where a 10 second subtraction from the game clock was possible.  However, the fouling team chose to use one of their remaining team timeouts to avoid the runoff.  The game clock started at :29 after the 1st down.  The clock got to :25 before Team A false started, thus causing the clock to stop, and subjecting Team A to a possible loss of 10 seconds from the game clock.

        Sideline Dangers   Hopefully the S has recovered from this near-tragic encounter.  There is good reason why the area up to 12 feet from the sideline needs to be kept clear of potential obstructions.   We trust stadium management in this facility has taken action to prevent a recurrence of this dangerous situation. 

        Late Hit/ Unnecessary Roughness ?   Dead ball officiating is one of the most important aspects of successful officiating.  In this play, observe the actions of The Team A player near the sideline in front of the ball carrier?  The view can decide for himself if a flag would have been warranted here.   A very similar play from another game:  Foul ?

       Helmet Off and Continued Participation   The new rule regarding continued participation after a player loses his helmet continues to be tested each week.  In this example, the player who loses the helmet does not move far from where he was when the helmet was lost.  But he is flagged for his action nonetheless.    Perhaps more examples will be forthcoming from the CFO to help officials determine what is, and is not, immediate continuing action.

       Personal Foul?     An officiating axiom is "See the whole play before throwing your flag".  Sometimes we see what appears to be a very clear foul but we may only be seeing part of the entire event.  In this play, it is likely the R would not have flagged if he had seen the whole event.