RTP passed the LOS
 

Posting this to prove a point. NCAA rules (although I am interested if the FED rule differs - don't think it does).

A ball on the A20. Passer rolling out, passes deep just as he's about to cross the line of scrimmage - still admiring his beautiful spiral ("Ball's away don't hit him..." -- SMACK) as he's clocked 2 steps later by B77 at the A24, you flag the obvious RTP. Pass is incomplete.

Enforcement spot?

15 yards from previous spot & auto 1st.

15 yards from previous spot & auto 1st.

FED 9-4-4 has very little to say about where the passer is <b>after</b> the ball has been thrown - he's still a passer, you still can't clobber him unless he moves to participate in the play. As previously noted, enforce from previous spot 15 yards. First down for A.

Glancing at the NCAA rules, I see nothing that would create a different ruling.

So... what's the catch?

NCAA: same as Fed.

Under NCAA rules RTP is a "basic spot" enforcement, therefore on this play 15 yds previous spot automatic 1st down. If the pass is completed beyond the NZ then its 15 yds tacked on to the end of the last run, automatic 1st down.

Unless I'm missing something, you've got offsetting fouls - the passer was beyond the line when he got roughed.

Duh! Sorry. Misread the original post. Yes the enforcement spot is the previous spot in NFHS.

This was to prove a point. A fellow official insisted that since this foul occurred beyond the LOS, that it should be enforced from that spot, and not the previous LOS. Thanks guys.

REPLY: Now there's a guy who needs to get his head back into the rule book.

This is a great example for all those officials who insist penalty enforcement is always, "whatever hurts them the most." I'm sure McCrowder's official was doing the same thing.

Canadian Ruling
 

UR = 15y from PLS, AFD.

Now, if the QB pitches to the HB and HB throws the ball, you can still have roughing the passer right?

Yep! It is RTP not RTQB, so whoever is the passer gets the protection as long as it meets the requirements.