2010 Season Week 8 Clips
1 Hand = 1 Foot An airborne receiver who has a firm grasp and control of the ball need touch ground inbounds with any body part to complete the catch (not withstanding the "toe-heel" situation). In addition to determining whether the airborne receiver comes down in or out of bounds, does he lose firm control of the ball when his left hand hits the ground? On passes to the sideline like this, it is usually best for the 2 sideline officials to make eye contact and have some sort of discrete prearranged signal so each will know what the other has before either one gives a more obvious signal.
Forward Progress Can Be A "Team" Call These 2 officials worked together very well to get a good spot of forward progress. The L saw the runner step on the line but likely had no good idea how far forward the ball was at that moment. The F had a great look at where the ball was and got a good spot. Too many times the ball might incorrectly be spotted at the yard line where the player stepped out but that would have been incorrect here. (4-2-4-a & d)
Horse Collar ? The ball carrier did not appear to be brought immediately to the ground. You make the call.
Team B Delay of Game The Team B player was on the Team A side of the ball and even had the ball in his hands thus preventing Team A from hurrying to the line and snapping as time was running out. The R stopped the clock, penalized Team B, and correctly ordered clock to start on the snap.
Not Over Until Its Over A ball carrier laying on top of other players is not necessarily stopped and therefore ball is not necessarily dead. The announcers incorrectly assume subsequent hits by Team B on this ball carrier should be flagged. If the covering officials were judging the ball not to be dead, they surely would not have flagged subsequent hits on him. This is very different from the goal line plays where defenders are laying on top of a ball carrier who is laying on top of players. In that case, the ball carrier is "held such that his forward progress has stopped."
Holder of a Placekick Down? The exception to Rule 4-1-3-b allows a placekick holder to have body parts other than the hand or foot (i.e. the knee) on the ground while he has possession of the ball and the ball stays live. However, this exception requires a teammate to have simulated a kick or to be in position to kick the ball being held by the holder. Although much of the attention on this play was focused on whether or not the holder's pass was forward or backward, we must also be concerned about whether the ball is actually dead by rule before it is even passed. Instant Replay is permitted to review whether a pass is forward or backward. Instant Replay can also review a live ball not ruled dead while in possession of a ball carrier. It is not known if that was done on this specific play. Other plays like this one in recent years: Play 1 Play 2 Play 3