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[The Roamin' Umpire]

Originally Posted by James Neil

Help me out here RU. Why isn't the Mo execption in effect ?

The ball has to become dead in the EZ for the ME to kick in. See NF 8-5-2a Exc. or NCAA 8-5-1 Exc.

[DJ_NV]

From the original post:

"While few people know that a free kick for FG can be attempted following a fair catch/awarded fair catch, even fewer know that this provision continues if a foul during the down after the fair catch/awarded fair catch causes the down to be replayed as it is in this case. Also, Team A is allowed to request where the ball be placed for a free kick for FG."

While I know this sounds right, can someone post the actual NF rule(s) for this? thanks

[The Roamin' Umpire]

NF 4-1-2: "A free kick shall also put the ball in play: ... (c) When a free kick is chose following a fair catch, an awarded fair catch, the replay of a down which follows a fair catch or an awarded fair catch."

Also, NF 4-3-6 specifies the situations in which A may designate the spot from which the ball is put in play between the inbounds lines. Interestingly, it lists after a(n) (awarded) fair catch, but not on replays of those. So if you make a fair catch, snap the ball, and accept a foul that occurs during that play, you may now change your mind and free kick, but you don't get to set the spot of the ball.

[wisref2]

This one doesn't involve a foul but is a play I hate. 4th and goal from the half yard line for A following a timeout with 1 second to play. If A (visitor) scores, they go to the playoffs. If they don't score, B (home) goes to the playoffs. A lines up with a full backfield and, back in my days as a Linesman, I'm saying to myself, "Don't run up the middle." Of course, they run a power right up the middle and we have 22 guys in a big pile and I have to decide which team goes to the playoffs.

It only happened once - I dove in the pile, found the ball, found the goal line, ruled touchdown and left in a hurry. Home team coach caught up with us and yelled at me "Are you sure that was a touchdown?" I only said, "I'm as sure as I can be with 22 guys piled on top of the ball. I got there as soon as I could and made the best ruling I could." Surprisingly, he smiled, and said it was a tough call to make, then said we did a nice job and shook our hands. (whew!!!!)

[mikesears]

Originally Posted by The Roamin' Umpire

...So if you make a fair catch, snap the ball, and accept a foul that occurs during that play, you may now change your mind and free kick, but you don't get to set the spot of the ball.

I don't know that I agree with this statement. Look at Rule 4-3-7: When a team may designate the spot along the proper yard line from which the ball is to be put in play, it shall have the same privilege if the down is to be replayed or a dead-ball foul occurs.

[mcrowder]

I don't see a real problem with number 3. Consider that play from the point of view of the intentional grounding not happening ... what do you have - a sack in the endzone for a safety - same thing you have with the intentional grounding (whether accepted or not).

Basically you have a coach complaining because he can't decline a safety. Sorry sir.

My pet peeve with the rules (and one you touch on in the first example) is ANY play where the result would be a touchback, but a foul occurs in the end zone, turning a play that could NOT result in a safety had the player been tackled INTO a safety because of basically a glitch in the rules. There are a number of sitches that fit this bucket... but it makes no sense logically. The reason a BIB or Hold in the EZ is normally a safety is because the illegal act prevented the possibility of a safety. But if the runner is simply in the EZ after a change of possession (punt, kickoff, fumble, int), the illegal act simply prevented the ballcarrier from being tackled in the EZ - and NOT a safety.

If I had the power to change one rule - I would change this one to enforce from the 20.

[wwcfoa43]

In Canada, we could never have a foul award points which would not have been awarded with no foul and the player tackled in the EZ.

So an interception in the EZ, and a BIB would be applied from the 20 and would not be a safety.

[The Roamin' Umpire]

Originally Posted by mikesears

I don't know that I agree with this statement. Look at Rule 4-3-7: When a team may designate the spot along the proper yard line from which the ball is to be put in play, it shall have the same privilege if the down is to be replayed or a dead-ball foul occurs.

*sigh* This is what I get for not looking at the next sentence. Thanks, Mike.

Jeez, this is the third mistake for me in as many days. Must be something about the air down here in Austin.