OPI on 4th Down

WhistlesAndStripes · #1 (**permalink**) Sat Sep 23, 2006, 09:40pm

4th Down and 10. A has the ball on the B 40 Yard Line. A10 throws a pass to A88 at the B 10 YL. A88 Commits OPI at he 10 yard line, and the pass falls incomplete.

What are the options to give to B?

Please give rule references.

wisref2 · #2 (**permalink**) Sat Sep 23, 2006, 09:52pm

Decline the penalty and take the result of the play - which means a turnover on downs at the 40, first and ten for B.

The obvious choice is to take the penalty - 15 yards from the previous spot and the loss of down penalty. First and ten for B at A's 45.

Rule 5.2.5g

WhistlesAndStripes · #3 (**permalink**) Sat Sep 23, 2006, 10:03pm

OK, we actually had this happen in a JV game today. One of the officials didn't think that B should be given the option of the yardage, and the line he kept saying was, "A penalty should not result in a change of possession." I kept saying it wasn't the penalty that caused the COP, it was the fact that A didn't make the first down yardage, they committed a Loss of DOwn penalty, and therefore, the next down after the play was 1st down for B, but that B was still entitled to the 15 yard penalty being enforced before the ball is turned over on downs.

waltjp · #4 (**permalink**) Sat Sep 23, 2006, 10:44pm

Captain - you can let them have the ball and a first down here or we can go way back there, penalize them 15 yards AND let you have the ball. Your choice.

WhistlesAndStripes · #5 (**permalink**) Sat Sep 23, 2006, 11:49pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by waltjp

Captain - you can let them have the ball and a first down here or we can go way back there, penalize them 15 yards AND let you have the ball. Your choice.

OK, now I'm confused. What would give "them" (them being A, who committed the penalty) the ball and a first down?

waltjp · #6 (**permalink**) Sun Sep 24, 2006, 07:07am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whistles & Stripes

OK, now I'm confused. What would give "them" (them being A, who committed the penalty) the ball and a first down?

W&S - my bad. I missed that the pass was incomplete.

BktBallRef · #7 (**permalink**) Sat Sep 23, 2006, 10:44pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whistles & Stripes

OK, we actually had this happen in a JV game today. One of the officials didn't think that B should be given the option of the yardage, and the line he kept saying was, "A penalty should not result in a change of possession."

A common mistake by those who don't understand the rules and who don't frequent discussion boards.

ref49873 · #8 (**permalink**) Sat Sep 23, 2006, 11:16pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

A common mistake by those who don't understand the rules and who don't frequent discussion boards.

Amen to that. Not enough people reveiw the rules during the season to know how to apply in unusual situations. This forum is another chance to discuss how to work through the wierd plays we all seem to see.

WhistlesAndStripes · #9 (**permalink**) Sat Sep 23, 2006, 11:59pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

A common mistake by those who don't understand the rules and who don't frequent discussion boards.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ref49873

Amen to that. Not enough people reveiw the rules during the season to know how to apply in unusual situations. This forum is another chance to discuss how to work through the wierd plays we all seem to see.

I find both of the above comments to be completely out of line. YOu don't even know the official I'm refering to in this situation. And he is NOT one to read his book once a year and then put it away during the season. He studies as much as anyone during the season. This was just one of those "weird plays," and we all occasionally jack these things up a little bit.