What is a Catch? :confused:

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by GPC2

Does anybody know if the replay officials are actual, or ex- officials? I've never seen anything saying who these "officials" are.

I can only speak for the Big Ten and the MAC. The technical advisors are usually the ones that are the "replay officials." From what I remember this is also the case in most conferences (I cannot see why it would not be that way) from a story I saw on ESPN last year. I am sure there are exceptions. I know in the major Bowl games the TAs are former officials.

Peace

[mcrowder]

Roy, you more than anyone else send me back to my car for a rulebook, because I know you know what you're talking about, and you've proven right much more often than not.

However, can you quote the rule here from which you are getting that interp? From just what you typed alone, there would be almost no way B could EVER initiate a substitution, as even the briefest "Johnny, go in for Joey" is pretty likely to have 12 men on the field for more than 3 seconds. Seems to me there MUST be more to it than just what you've typed.

[Forksref]

We use a rule of thumb that the replaced player must start to leave the HUDDLE in 3-5 seconds once the sub has entered the huddle. Depending on whether the player is a back or lineman it may take a while to reach the sideline. If it takes a long time we expect that he will be an FB umpire some day!

[dumbref]

Back to the subject - What is a catch? This was a wham-bam play that we will all face at some time. And we all know the "when in doubt" rule of thumb. In this case, I thought the official made a correct call as I understand the rules. Should it have been over-turned?

[GPC2]

dumbref, sorry for hijacking your thread...

pg FI-65 A.R. 9-1-4-VII states

"At the end of third down, Team B sends in its kick-return team. The responsible officials count the Team B players and are positive that Team B has 12 players on the field of play. After approximately four seconds, the officials sound their whistles and drop their penalty markers. RULING: Dead-ball foul, sustitution violation. Penalty - Five yards from the succeeding spot."

On the very next page, A.R. 9-1-4-VIII states

At the end of third down, Team B sends in its kick-return team. The responsible officials count the Team B players and it appears that Team B has 12 players on the field of play. While the officials are attempting to recount the players, the ball is snapped. At the end of the down, the officials recount the Team B players and are positive that Team B had 12 players participate during the down. RULING: Illegal participation on Team B. Penalty - 15 yards from the previous spot. (Note: If the officials are not positive that a team has violated Rule 3-5-2-c, they should not sound their whistles and penalize the team five yards for a substitution violation.)

[RoyGardner]

That's why 2 officials are counting A and two officials are counting B. There is no way we should miss this (12 men on the field) and allow the play to get off. If we do end up with an IP (vs. an IS) we haven't done our job.