Momentum into endzone NFHS Rules

[ajmc]

NFHS 8-5-1 places RESPONSIBILITY for forcing the ball from the field of play across a goal line to the player who carries, snaps,passes, fumbles or kicks the ball.

8-5-2 indicates IT IS A SAFETY when a runner carries the ball from the field of play to or across his own goal line, and it becomes dead there in his team's possession,

EXCEPT; When B intercepts an opponents forward ,intercepts or recovers an opponents fumble or backwards pass; or an R player catches or recovers a scrimmage or free kick between the 5 yd line and the goal line (at which point they each would become a runner) and their ORIGINAL MOMENTUM carries them into the EZ where the ball is declared dead, or goes OOB.

The ball belongs to the team in possession at the spot where the pass, fumble or kick was recovered in the field of play.

8-5-3 declares; ANY SCRIMMAGE OR FREE KICK (which is not a scoring attempt or grounded 3 point FG attempt that BREAKS THE PLANE of R's goal is (instantly) a Touchback.

To answer the question; when momentum applies, the player in possession can CHOOSE to advance the ball, or not. If not, and it's dead in the EZ, the ball is placed where he gained possession. If he chooses to advance it, and makes it out of the EZ, the succeeding spot will be wherever he takes it to.