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Originally posted by glenner2
i never recall hearing anything about the first yard marker being moved, but it seems strange that the penalizeed team is not fully punished because the yards needed to gain a first down are less than if they were in the middle of the field. any thoughts? do the rules state that the first down marker is not moved? and why is this the case?
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I think because there are equivalent situations on the other end of the field that do not grant them what would normally be a first down. For example, 3rd and 9 from the 10 yard line. The running back takes the handoff and is face masked (5 yard variety) and the end of the run is at the 5. Half the distance to the goal, 3rd and 3.5 yards. Normally that would be a first down, but we don't grant that in this case.
The argument, I think, is that these cases average out, offense and defense both getting shafted on yards when within the shadows of the goalposts.