Intentional Grounding

[DFinsFootball54]

If a passer is hit while throwing the ball and it lands no where near a receiver, does it still count as intentional grounding? My roomate and I have a bet going and we need someone to settle it... thanks

[JRutledge]

Yes and no. It depends on the judgment of the calling official if the throwing the ball was an attempt to dump the ball. Strictly a judgment call by the official.

Peace

[DFinsFootball54]

thanks man!!

[MJT]

I agree on the judgement part of what Rut is saying. I have been instructed to look at where it appeared the QB was throwing the ball and how much the contact on him affected his throw. If there is contact on him while he is in the throwing motion, the QB will get the benifit of doubt.

[jjrye22]

With the mechanics we use here, they want us to give the passer the 'benifit of the doubt' - there are a bunch of doubt rule, 'When in doubt it is...' and we have been told that if he is hit when throwing (the arm has started forward) - we say the hit affected the course of the throw.

Of course if there is no doubt in your mind that it is grounding you can throw it ...

James

[Dommer1]

James,

I have a feeling that this is slowly changing. It's just a hunch, but I think you'll see a change in how we (EFAF) interpret these situations, and I think we'll start putting some of this responsibility back on the QB, as the posts above describe.

That seems to be the way bothe college and the pros are starting to do it, and it'll probably "trickle down" to us as well eventually.

[grantsrc]

I think you have to look at the severity of the contact and its impact on the QB and throw. If he is wrapped up a little and that "causes" the throw to be off, I don't buy that. But if he gets drilled, then I would give him a little more leway.

[Rick KY]

Here's another twist on contact on the passer.

Defender B50 has QB A1's legs wrapped at the ankles so QB is left standing, but unable to walk/run. After a second or two A1 a) throws an incomplete pass toward a nearby eligible receiver, or b) throws the ball away OOB with no eligible near the pass.

Would you not call the ball dead, forward progress stopped, or let the play go because the QB is standing and able to pass the ball?

[Edited by Rick KY on Jan 13th, 2006 at 11:03 AM]

[Bob M.]

REPLY: One common technique used to judge when a player's forward progress is stopped is to see when a runner has lost the voluntary use of his legs. In your example, as I see it, the QB's forward progress has been stopped according to that judgment technique.