receiver runs an 'out ' and stand on the OOB line. as he is standing there he catches the ball. do we have any of the follwoing: OPI, IP, or is he simply OOB since was still on the line when he caught the ball?

In NF you have nothing if he does not come back inbounds. Incomplete pass.
Ill participation does not become a foul until he comes back inbounds. It is not OPI in NF if he goes OOB's, comes back IB's then catches - it is ill participation at the spot he comes back IB's.

It's just an incomplete pass. No IP since the player didn't go out of bounds and return. No OPI, he is an eligible receiver...I assume.

Since touching preceds a catch it's simply a dead ball because a player in the OOB area has touched a live ball.

how about this
 

OK, what do we have if he comes back in and catches the ball?

Re: how about this
 

Just illegal participation at the point where he returns (unless he was an ineligible downfield). A player who starts a down as an eligible receiver continues to be eligible until the down ends.

Re: how about this
 

Then you would have illegal participation. Keep in mind, this is not like the NFL and the rule about being the 1st to touch the ball... The NFHS rule says no player from A or K shall go out of bounds and return unless blocked out by an opponent. So whether he touches the ball or not, it's IP (If the ball ends up going to the opposite side of the field, I might have a hard time making that call though).

but wouldn't it be a previous spot foul, since it occeurred during a loose ball play?

The spot of the foul will be the spot where the player returned inbounds. For penalty enforcement, yes, the basic spot for a loose ball play is the previous spot.

Re: Re: how about this
 

Absolutely. I've been taught that if he "participates" in the play, then to flag it. If he comes inbounds, but doesn't draw a defender, doesn't block, doesn't do anything but step inbounds to let him go. But if he draws a defender, blocks, etc. then he will be flagged.

Would you mark the spot he came back inbounds with a beanbag and then throw a flag back to the beanbag spot if he touches the ball?

Unless he stepped out and came back in behind the LOS...the the spot of the foul (where he came back in) is behind the basic spot (prev. spot), so under the all-but-one principle, you would enforce from the spot of the foul.

Re: Re: Re: how about this
 

So what are you going to do if he steps OOB's in front of the opposing coach, who knows the rule, and he is screaming at you for IP. It is "his" responsibility to "not go OOB's".
Curious as who told you to only flag it if he "participates"?

Re: Re: Re: Re: how about this
 

Simply going out of bounds isn't a foul. If the player came in bounds right in front of the opposing coach--and by some miracle the coach knew the rule and complained, I'd tell him that the player didn't participate in the play.

Yes, by the rule, the second he comes in bounds it is IP. But what's the purpose? To keep a player from going out of bounds and participating. If he doesn't participate, he's not gaining any advantage.

I agree, if the player comes back inbounds and doesn't draw a defender, or participate then I didn't see it.