Rule 4-2-2-d-2.
A is attempting a field goal. Kick hits upright and rebounds into field of play. B catches ball on the fly around the 5 yard line and runs downfield about 40 yards where he is tackled. B is awarded first down at that spot.
(As a side note this was a game between the 2 top ranked teams in our league and we had our most senior officials on the field.)
I was watching the game on the sideline and asked the side judge if the correct ruling should be a touchback. He went in to the referee but they did not change the ruling.
My interpretation of this rule is this: Once it is apparent the kick will not score, it becomes a touchback immediately because it has crossed the plane of R's goal line.
Also, under rule 1-2-5a. it states that the goal posts, including the uprights, are in the same vertical plane as the inside edge of the end line. Rule 1-2-3g. states that the boundary lines (sidelines and endlines) are out of bounds. Rule 4-2-2b. states that the ball becomes dead when a live ball goes out of bounds.
Is touchback the correct ruling?
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Mike Simonds
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