The Pigskin
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2013 Week 14 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.
The video page will continue bringing you clips each week which are good teaching material as we all work together to understand and enforce the sometimes complicated NCAA football rules. The videos are not meant to demean or belittle any official. They are used so that ALL officials can learn from the situations and issues other officials encounter in their games. No official has ever completed a career error-free. But by sharing our errors with others we help them avoid the same pitfalls. NCAA football officials at all levels exhibit incredible rule knowledge week in and week out. We can always get better and this page hopes to serve in that effort.
Perhaps reflecting the end-of-season timing, our poll participant numbers dropped significantly last week. Nonetheless, the poll results in our play where there was a possible "helping the runner" foul were interesting. Only 63% ruled foul on the play. Another 23% said no foul because the runner would have gained the yardage without the "assist". The last 14% said there was no grasping, pulling, or lifting. In the comment section, several participants mentioned supervisors in general, or their supervisor specifically, did not want this act called a foul. "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."
Facemask Foul This is a perplexing play. The covering official signals a facemask foul against the offense. After an extended discussion, the R announces the foul is on the defense. The ball carrier is permitted to have "continuous helmet contact" against an opponent's helmet, to include facemask. And players are permitted to have "continuous helmet contact" with a ball carrier's helmet, to include the facemask. But neither one is permitted to grasp and twist, turn, or pull the facemask, chin strap or any helmet opening. Please view this play video and take the poll. (Please remember to scroll down and click on the DONE button after making your choice.)
QB Passing at the Line of Scrimmage This play has generated some attention in the Southeast after one of the major games of the season which featured a once-in-a-lifetime conclusion. This play was a bit earlier in the game but was a key play and had some issues worthy of discussion. The pass itself appears legal as the passer's entire body was not beyond the neutral zone when he released the ball (7-3-2-a). However, notice the actions of the running back, A35. He is clearly beyond the line of scrimmage and blocking a linebacker in a manner that might easily be judged to be offensive pas interference (7-3-8-b). A35 first makes contact with the defender at a spot about 2 yards beyond the neutral zone. His block well may have prevented the defender from getting to the fleeing QB. There has been media and internet discussion alleging there were ineligible receivers downfield as well. It appears A63 is about 3 yards beyond the neutral zone when the pass is released (which is legal).
Helmet Off and Continued Participation When a player loses his helmet through play, he must cease his participation, even if the helmet came off due to a foul by the opponent. In this play, the blocker is charged with a foul which seems to have been the reason why the helmet came off the defender. But the defender continues to pursue the play and although he never actually makes any further contact during the play, he has still fouled (9-1-17). Players now know the helmet off rule so well they automatically trot off the field after losing the helmet. In this situation, since the foul is what appeared to take the helmet off, the player would NOT have to sit out a play. Perhaps the R could add to his penalty announcement, "Since the holding foul caused the helmet to come off, the player is NOT required to leave the game for a play." That would give the defense the chance to leave him in the game should they desire.
Reverse Mechanics There is a reason why our mechanics direct "reverse" mechanics after a turnover. The H in this play does a fantastic job of recognizing there has been a turnover and then getting on his horse to lead the play. He is no longer responsible for forward progress but is responsible for the most important line on the field, the goal line, And in this play he was there and able to rule on a close play at the pylon. He clearly continued to officiate even while getting into the lead position. Great work!
Momentum Exception Officials know that when a player intercepts a pass between his 5 yard line and the goal line, and his original momentum carries him into the end zone, and the ball remains in the end zone, being declared dead in his team's possession, we rule Momentum Exception (ME) and the ball is brought out to the spot where the player gained possession in the field of play. Philosophically, when the spot of possession is between the 1 yard line and goal line, we rule no ME and go with touchback. Viewers can decide for themselves where this pass was possessed and whether ME or touchback should be ruled.
No Fair Catch Signal - No KCI A play that can trip up officials is ruling on KCI after a kick returner has touched the kick. Once a kick has been touched by the receivers, the kicking team can legally attempt to recover it and can be within the "kick catch protection box" that exists up to a yard in front of the receiver. However, if that receiver has made a valid fair catch signal, his protection remains, even after the muff if he still has a reasonable opportunity to complete the catch (6-5-1-b). Had the receiver in this video made the valid fair catch signal, then the subsequent activity by the kicking team would have been a foul. He did not make the signal so the action was legal, 1st down for Team A.
It Takes Two to Tango Video after video, the Rules Editor tells officials that chop blocking is a two player foul and BOTH players should rightfully receive the recognition they are due by having their numbers announced. And game after game, R's refuse to do it. Surely the covering official is reporting both numbers? Surely the game report includes both player's numbers? Why is it so hard to add the 2d player's number to the penalty announcement?
Dead Ball Foul and Zap 10 Situation When the clock is running inside the last minute of a half and a team commits a foul that causes the clock to stop, the potential for the 10 second subtraction comes into play. This season we have seen examples of crews mishandling this situation or handling it in a very disorganized and time-consuming manner. It is obvious this crew has discussed the situation previously and was prepared to quickly and efficiently deal with it. They recognized the Zap 10 potential and must have quickly obtained the respective coaches' decisions on whether they wanted the Zap 10 to apply and if they would take a timeout to avoid the Zap 10.
Big Guys Deserve Love Too All too often after a player scores a TD, he is contacted illegally without a flag. Perhaps that is because officials believe when a TD has been scored the opponent has a "right" to exact a little punishment. But if a skinny little wide receiver had caught a pass and run as far into the end zone as this lovable lineman did before he was hit, would we be flagging the hit? If so, then surely we can give the big fella the same protection.