out of bounds play

broncodevil · #1 (**permalink**) Mon Sep 12, 2005, 05:39pm

can anyone clarify this ruling?........

Where is the ball spotted when a runner steps out of bounds?

Saturday, a runner for ASU stepped out at the four yard line and dove for the pilon.

The ball was spotted at the 1 yard line.

A friend of mine said the ball is spotted where the ball is when the runner goes out of bounds. I say it should be spotted at the 4 where his foot touched the out of bounds line.

To me, this means that a runner could score a touchdown even if his foot touches the out of bounds line if the ball is over the goal line when he steps out. I don't think I have ever seen this called this way before.

If this is the rule, is it the rule in the NFL as well as college?

Ed Maeder · #2 (**permalink**) Mon Sep 12, 2005, 06:07pm

It's the rule in all football. The ball is spotted where the ball was at the time the player went out of bounds.

Snake~eyes · #3 (**permalink**) Mon Sep 12, 2005, 07:25pm

It's a little bit different when they dive, if they dive and end up out of bounds the ball is spotted where the ball crossed the OOB plane.

waltjp · #4 (**permalink**) Mon Sep 12, 2005, 08:53pm

There was a play last season where the receiver tip-toed along the sideline and held the ball forward over the pylon before he finally stepped out around the 1. Ruling - TD. I think it may have been against the Jets.