[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by MI Official

Our crew has discussed this numerous times this season. So I just thought I would throw it out to the board here. A is running the ball and B is clearly trying to "strip" the ball from A. At what point do you stop the play if the runner is still making progress while B is content on trying to get the ball. Additionally, As U I assume that I would be looking for anything cheap in the "scrum" as well a possible turn over, how would you signal to the wingmen if a turnover had occurred and the defense is heading the other way, other than a bag, which can be hard to see if the wingmen are trying to determine if progress had been stopped or not.

Here are some principles that I use:

1. If at any time, A1 is trying to make progress, but can't, then the play is dead in my mind first. My whistle comes ½ a second later.
   1. If A1 breaks free, too bad.
   2. If B steals the ball, too bad.
2. If A1 gives up trying to progress, the play is dead if any B player is trying to prevent progress. If B players are only trying to strip the ball, then game on.
3. If I feel that A's safety is in question, then I blow it dead. Example: I see that more B players are on the way, and A's legs are in a vulnerable position (perhaps already twisted in an odd way).

Why do you bean bag a change of possession that isn't a fumble?