backwards pass

[MJT]

What would you have for this one?

Team A QB drops back to pass from B's 2 yard line. After scrambling for a few seconds he throws a backwards pass that is deflected by B and the ball...
1. lands in the EZ and comes to rest there with no one recovering it.

2. goes out of bounds in the EZ.

[KBAustria]

As long as the "deflection" was made before the ball hit the ground for the first time, no new impetus is given to the ball, team A is responsible for the ball becoming dead in their EZ. Safety.

If the ball had already touched the ground before the "deflection", then B could impart new impetus by _batting_ the ball. In this case it would be a touchback.
For an official to rule new impetus, the batting should be very clear and deliberate, though; if in doubt, consider it a muff and no new impetus.

[ljudge]

1) The ball is still in possession of team A, therefore a touchdown.

2) Muffing or batting of a pass is not considered a new force and since A is responsible for the force I have a touchback.

[waltjp]

I'd hate to award a TD on this play if the ball is just lying there. Hopefully, someone will realize that there's been no whistle and attempt to cover the ball or pick it up.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by KBAustria

As long as the "deflection" was made before the ball hit the ground for the first time, no new impetus is given to the ball, team A is responsible for the ball becoming dead in their EZ. Safety.

What happens when a ball in Team A's possession becomes dead in B's endzone?

[Theisey]

KBAustria: A's snap was from the B-2 yardline. The ball winds up in B's EZ

[RonRef]

Originally Posted by MJT

What would you have for this one?

Team A QB drops back to pass from B's 2 yard line. After scrambling for a few seconds he throws a backwards pass that is deflected by B and the ball...
1. lands in the EZ and comes to rest there with no one recovering it.

2. goes out of bounds in the EZ.

#2 will never happen...never!!

[KBAustria]

Heh.

Overlooked that one really good, didn't I?

Actually a very simular thing happened over here involving a fumble that nobody wanted and that came to rest in B's EZ.
But a coach started to yell in time (before one of us was forced to signal the play dead), and the whole thing became a "real" TD.
Was a ladies game, BTW.

[HawkeyeCubP]

1) Live ball. (Certainly can't have a touchdown without possession.)

2) Touchback.

[MJT]

Originally Posted by HawkeyeCubP

1) Live ball. (Certainly can't have a touchdown without possession.)

2) Touchback.

You certainly can. 8-2-1c It is a touchdown when a backward pass or fumble is declared dead in the end zone of the opponent of the player who threw the backward pass or fumbled while no player is in possession (other than because of an inadvertent whistle).

[HawkeyeCubP]

Originally Posted by MJT

You certainly can. 8-2-1c It is a touchdown when a backward pass or fumble is declared dead in the end zone of the opponent of the player who threw the backward pass or fumbled while no player is in possession (other than because of an inadvertent whistle).

Agreed - there is still team possession on this live, loose ball, per 2-33-2, but why declare the ball dead?

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by HawkeyeCubP

Agreed - there is still team possession on this live, loose ball, per 2-33-2, but why declare the ball dead?

Because both teams run off the field.

It's a case question. No one is proposing that they've actually seen it happen. But it could.

[HawkeyeCubP]

Never mind - 4-2-2-e-2. Got it.