Momentum into endzone NFHS Rules
 

If a receiver on a punt (Scrimmage Kick) a kick off (Free Kick) or on an intercepted pass catches the ball on the 2 yd line and his momentum carries him into the endzone, can they bring it out or is it a touch-back?

Where is this rule found in the book?

There is no rule that prohibits bringing it out or that makes the ball dead in this situation. The momentum exception is an exception to the rule concerning how a safety is scored.

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Momentum exception applies if the ball then becomes dead in the end zone after the above mentioned situations. Momentum exception would place the ball at the 2 instead of awarding a safety. The rule is covered under 8-5-2a Exception.

The key to momentum exception is that the ball has to become dead in the endzone and would otherwise be a SAFETY. It is an exception to the safety rule.

Now, if I am on the goal line and a receiver catches the kick inside the one, I am going to give him the benefit of the doubt if his momentum carries him into the end zone and rule Touchback. It he catches it at the 2, however, there is no way to sell touchback in my opinion.

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Where is this rule found in the book?


Rule 8

The kick or pass ended in the field of play if the player catches the ball there, so it's a live ball. There's no specific place it says that in the rule book, it's just that you can't find anything there that makes the ball dead.

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.