Momentum Rule Discussion

[The Roamin' Umpire]

Originally Posted by MJT

"Fouls committed by B in the end zone on running plays where the end of the run is in the end zone (even when possession is subsequently lost in the end zone and the ball comes into (and possibley of of the field of play, is the 20-yard line. (Case Book 10.4.5. These situations, though rare, result from the normal "end of run" being a touchback and not a safety and, therefore, administration from the 20-yard line."

The ruling you found does not mention anything about it being different if it is possessed in the field of play and ends up in the EZ or possessed in the EZ initially. I think this is the conclusive proof I was looking for.

But it does say that the situations result from the normal "end of the run" being a touchback. Which, as previously discussed, it definitely is NOT here. Here's another example where applying this principle strictly leads to nonsense:

PLAY: B intercepts a pass or catches a scrimmage kick at the B2. He circles back into his own EZ during the run (no momentum involved here!) He is hit in the EZ and fumbles - the ball goes OOB at the B5. While the ball was loose, (a) B commits a clipping foul at the B6 or (b) A commits a clipping foul at the B6.

RULING: I fervently hope we're not enforcing either of these from the 20! In (a), I've got a safety. In (b), I'm enforcing the penalty from the goal line.

Now, before you say that situation (b) is covered by 10-5-2, it wouldn't result in a safety - B would end up with the ball at the B5.

After reading the point of emphasis on page 80 that you mention, it seems to me that the NFHS wants fouls in these situations enforced as if the fumble never occurred. So, if they ever get around to ruling on the original play in this thread, I'm betting they'll want it enforced from the momentum spot.

BUT, as there is no rules support for any of these situations, I'm just going to muddle through as best I can. What I've come up with are these guidelines:

• If the play would have been a touchback with no fumble, enforce from the 20 (per 10.4.5 G&H).
• If the play would NOT have resulted in a touchback, enforce from the goal line (as per 10.4.3C Comment).