I know the NFL rules don't apply to us, but...

OverAndBack · #1 (**permalink**) Thu Aug 12, 2004, 09:53pm

..I'm just curious.

Do they enforce more penalties from the previous spot than we do?

And this enhanced enforcement on the "no contact with a receiver after five yards---PERIOD" rule looks like it's going to take some getting used to.

JRutledge · #2 (**permalink**) Thu Aug 12, 2004, 10:08pm

Yes,

They do not use the "All but One" Principle like we do. If the penalty is behind the LOS, then they go to the previous spot. College went to a similar rule a couple of years ago. That is why you really cannot watch the NFL or NCAA to learn about rules. It is a different animal.

Peace

OverAndBack · #3 (**permalink**) Thu Aug 12, 2004, 10:27pm

Still, it's good to know the difference in case your friends ask you "Hey, you're an official - why did they call that?"

So at least you know and don't have to explain, "Well they have different rules than we do," because your friends just want to know the answer, they don't want to hear about different rules.

JRutledge · #4 (**permalink**) Fri Aug 13, 2004, 03:52am

I am not saying do not watch those levels. I am saying do not use the rules at the level you work based on what you see. Of course you can learn from those levels, just do not see something and assume it applies to the levels you work. There are so many differences and interpretations you have to be really careful it does not spill over into your officiating.

You can learn a lot about basic philosophy from the NFL and NCAA.

Peace

ABoselli · #5 (**permalink**) Fri Aug 13, 2004, 08:59am

Pick up an NFL rulebook. It really is a hodgpodge of 'excepts' and 'unlesses' and that kind of stuff.

It's quite complicated. Tons of timing related rulings. Makes me respect those guys even more.

Bob Floyd · #6 (**permalink**) Fri Aug 13, 2004, 10:03am

Quote:

Originally posted by ABoselli
Pick up an NFL rulebook. It really is a hodgpodge of 'excepts' and 'unlesses' and that kind of stuff.

It's quite complicated. Tons of timing related rulings. Makes me respect those guys even more.

You are right about that. In NFL there are almost as many exceptions in as there are rules. Rut was almost right when he said fouls behind the line are administered from the previous spot. Most are, however there are exceptions such as: B fouls behind the line and the play ends behind the line, the foul is administered from either the spot of the foul or where the play ended, whichever benefits A the most with the stipulation that the penalty has to reach the previous spot, if not the ball is advanced to the previous spot and replay the down. Another exception is intentional grounding. This is 10 yards from the previous spot and loss of down, however, if the spot of the foul is more than 10 yards behind the line it becomes a spot foul with loss of down. If A fouls in their end zone it is a safety rather than previous spot enforcement, except when the foul is an illegal pass (second foeward pass or pass after the ball has been beyond the line), these are previous spot enforcements. This is a lenghthy post but I am trying to point out what was previously stated about the many variations in NF and NFL. If you are a NF official watching a NFL game with your friends, don't take any bets on rules interpretations because there might be an exception!

Bob M. · #7 (**permalink**) Fri Aug 13, 2004, 10:30am

REPLY: Just to reflect on Bob Floyd's post, I once heard Ed Hochuli talk about the NFL rules. He said that in one place there's a rule...with an exception to the rule...with an exception to the exception...with an exception to the exception to the exception! Yikes!

Dommer1 · #8 (**permalink**) Thu Aug 19, 2004, 04:03am

If you meet him in the future, ask for a copy of the (in)famous "Hopper Book". It's a book (well, not really a book) about NFL penalty enforcement where he tries to simplify things. NCAA is a piece of cake compared to this!