Where to spot the ball - interception

[Daryl H. Long]

Be careful not to confuse momentum rule with the catch definition as it aplies to either sideline, forward progress, or both.

(A)The momentum rule (8-5-2a Exception) requires
1. a change of possession
2. player possession between the 5 yard line and goal line,
3. Player is unable to stop going into his own end zone and 4. the ball becomes in the end zone.

The ball is spotted at the place where the player was touching inbounds when he possessed the ball.

Remember, the momentum exception is only given so a team is NOT penalized with a safety. If one of the 4 criteria i have mentioned above are not met the the momentum exception can not be applied.

So the scenario where the airborne player intercepts the ball the catch is not credited until he touches the ground. If interception is in opponents end zone then by definition it is a touchback (8-5-3d).

(B) For a catch (2-4-1) there is an exception also but not written as such. Here, if the official determines that the player making the catch would have come down inbounds if no contact by an opponent had occurred the the player is credited with making the catch even though he did not come down and touch the field inbounds.

The ball is spotted where the referee thinks the player would have come down inbounds.

(C) For forward progress of airborne player (2-15-2). Player makes a catch and does come down inbounds but is driven backward by the defender while still airborne.

The ball is spotted where the defender contacted the player making the catch and drives him backward.