2012 Season Week 7 Clips
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.
Poll Results:
Week 6's poll featured a play where a receiver attempted to catch a pass near the front end zone pylon. Of those 190 who voted, 70% said "Incomplete Pass" while 30% said "TD". To view narrative responses submitted, Click Here . For those interested, please click here to see a longer version of the video which includes the video review process and an eventual ruling of TD. Perhaps the review booth had better or different views than were available to those of us who judged this to be an incomplete pass.
Horse Collar ? There are 2 issues on this play. 1 is the possible horse collar foul, which was called. And the 2d was a possible illegal motion foul, which was not called. 9-1-15 prohibits players 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 who is inside the tackle box. The tackle box extends from the neutral zone all the way back behind the offense to the end line. It also stretches out 5 yards to either side of the snapper. The tackle box disintegrates when the ball leaves it. (2-34) Was there a horse collar tackle foul on this play? Was there a Team A player in motion at the snap , and if so, was his motion legal? Please view the video and then take the poll that follows
Punt and Pylon Sometimes the covering official can be too close. This punt to a pylon challenged the covering official. However, any official with even limited experience can observe the covering official and realize he is NOT judging the punt to have touched the pylon BEFORE it was already dead by virtue of touching ground out of bounds first. In fact, he appears to be looking for an out of bounds spot to spot the ball. For some reason, a touchback was ruled. Perhaps the B judged the ball to have touched the pylon before touching ground out of bounds or perhaps he judged the ball bounced in bounds before touching the pylon. In both those cases a touchback would be the correct ruling. However, if the ball hit ground on or outside a sideline before striking the pylon, a touchback would not be correct. The ball would have to be placed at the spot where it was judged to have crossed the sideline. (4-2-3-c) This video does not reflect whether or not a video review was conducted.
Whoops!! We have previously looked at examples of kicks to the end zone where there was some question about where the ball was when the ball carrier was deemed to be down. In this example, the R appears to almost be in perfect position to make the call. Should he have wound the clock since this was a kick that was caught by a grounded player?
Helmet Off Mechanics This play shows a crew using the proper mechanics when dealing with a situation where a player's helmet has come off through play. If the game clock is running, it must be stopped. (3-3-9) It will be restarted on the R's signal. Officials are reminded that if this happens when there is less than 1 minute remaining in the half, the opposing team can choose to have a 10-second subtraction from the game clock. If the subtraction is selected, the game clock starts on the R's signal. If the subtraction is not selected , it will be started on the snap. It is noted the subtraction can be avoided by the offending team using one of its charged timeouts. If helmets come off players from each team, there is no 10-second subtraction option for either team. It is also noted the 10-second subtraction will not apply if the clock was otherwise stopped by rule. It will only apply if the clock coming off is the only reason the clock was stopped. (3-3-9-b)
Unfair Acts The sideline are a dangerous place. When team members do not honor the restricted area just outside the sideline which is reserved for officials (a 6-foot wide zone), they place themselves and officials in even greater peril. There are rules in place to help keep this area clear. the "Game Administration Interference" rule (9-2-5) prohibits coaches, subs, and authorized attendants from being in that zone while the ball is live. There is a penalty enforcement procedure in place which calls for 5 yard penalties the first 2 times this happens and 15 yard penalties for any further violations. However, in this video we see a foul that is better addressed using the "Unfair Acts" rule (9-2-3) which prohibits anyone other than a player or an official interfering with the ball, player, or an official. That foul carries the unique penalty of whatever the referee deems equitable. Typically that will be a 15 yard penalty, enforced as a dead ball foul. In this video example, the referee was somewhat limited in what he could do since the foul was against Team B and Team A took the ball to the Team B 5 yard line. The 1/2 the distance enforcement seems rather mild considering the seriousness of the foul but is likely the best option under the circumstances.
Down or IW ? These pileup plays at the goal line continue to challenge officials. Frequently is near impossible to see the ball carrier's body parts to determine if any are touching the ground. The ball also often disappears in the pile. Officials do the best they can to make the best possible call. Hopefully officials are NOT making a "shot in the dark" when they rule. Those levels of the game which use video review may get some help from that resource. But far more officials work without "benefit" of that resource. You make the call!!!