Fumble or Not?

Foozeball · #1 (**permalink**) Sat Sep 20, 2003, 05:20pm

I don't have a rulebook and I cant find a ruling anywhere else.

Lets Say Player QB starts to throw the ball but before his arm goes past his head it for some reason falls out of his hand or someone knocks it out. Is this a fumble or not?

My dad doesn't believe anything I say and I have to show this to him. So I know its a real simple question but..

O= Head
- = Ball
I= Before ball is throw

Qb Has Ball O-I

Ball falls out.
IS this fumble or not? Just tried to make it more clear.
Sorry If I have just confused you.

cmathews · #2 (**permalink**) Sat Sep 20, 2003, 09:03pm

if his arm is going forward, it is not a fumble...and if there is confusion as to a fumble or not, it is not according to the chart in the book...don't have it here with me...but it is in there somewhere

BktBallRef · #3 (**permalink**) Sat Sep 20, 2003, 10:49pm

Quote:

Originally posted by Foozeball
I don't have a rulebook and I cant find a ruling anywhere else.

Lets Say Player QB starts to throw the ball but before his arm goes past his head it for some reason falls out of his hand or someone knocks it out. Is this a fumble or not?

My dad doesn't believe anything I say and I have to show this to him. So I know its a real simple question but..

O= Head
- = Ball
I= Before ball is throw

Qb Has Ball O-I

Ball falls out.
IS this fumble or not? Just tried to make it more clear.
Sorry If I have just confused you.

His head doesn't have anything to do with it. If the arm is going forward, and the ball goes forward, as cmatthews said, it's an incomplete pass.

And in some leagues, it's an incomplete pass if he pump fakes, too.

[Edited by BktBallRef on Sep 22nd, 2003 at 09:09 AM]

Smiley · #4 (**permalink**) Mon Sep 22, 2003, 09:06am

The arm going forward only comes into play when the passer is being contacted. Otherwise, we rule on the direction of the ball.

seanireland · #5 (**permalink**) Fri Sep 26, 2003, 03:14pm

Quote:

Originally posted by cmathews
if his arm is going forward, it is not a fumble...and if there is confusion as to a fumble or not, it is not according to the chart in the book...don't have it here with me...but it is in there somewhere

Rule Book 2-29-2 Note; Case Book p.19 2.29.2 Situation,(re: fumble v incomplete) and p.21 of 2002-03 Officials Manual (re: when in question)