NFL Rules and Pylon

[bisonlj]

Originally Posted by TXMike

In the definition section of the NFL book it says a player is out of bounds if he touches anything OTHER THAN a playter, an official or a pylon on or outside a boundary line.

Thanks TXMike! That sounds pretty clear that the pylon is always in bounds in the NFL and this crew got it right (as expected).

[OverAndBack]

And yet, the NFL rulebook also says this under "Field Markings:"

"The four intersections of goal lines and sidelines must be marked at inside corners of the end zones and the gaol line by pylons. Pylons must be placed at inside edges of white lines and should not touch the surface of the actual playing field itself."

If it doesn't touch the playing field, it can't be in bounds, right?



While we're on the topic, I've never gotten a good answer to this one as it applies to NFHS: How the heck can the pylon be out of bounds and in the end zone, and what does that mean for someone who contacts it?

[TXMike]

In NCAA, it means if you stretch the ball forward and it hits the pylon it is a TD.

AS for the NFL I think they are just making an exception because they realize the pylon sticking up from the field could be inadevertently touched even though the player was not actually touching a sideline or out of bounds so they chose not to penalize the players for touching thqat "obstruction".

[AndrewMcCarthy]

Originally Posted by OverAndBack

While we're on the topic, I've never gotten a good answer to this one as it applies to NFHS: How the heck can the pylon be out of bounds and in the end zone, and what does that mean for someone who contacts it?

Remember John Madden and his whole "the goal line extends around the world" commentary. The pylon is on the goal line extended.

If a player (going in) contacts the pylon with the ball while it is in his possession, it is a TD whether he is airborne or not. One could technically say that if he's airborne and he hits the "outside" of the pylon then the ball has crossed the sideline plane prior to touching the pylon so he's short of the goal line- but we don't split hairs like that.

[cougar729]

I've always been told that the pylon is out of bounds in the endzone, so in order to touch the pylon with the ball, it actually breaks the plane of the endzone first and results in a touchdown.

[Bob M.]

REPLY: The rule that TxMike quoted is only for the NFL. For the rest of us NCAA and NFHS types, the pylon is OOB behind the goal line. The NFL changed that rule a few seasons back when a receiver left the ground the catch a pass at the goal line. On his way up, his outside foot kicked the pylon. He controlled the ball in the air and returned to the ground with both feet inbounds. Unfortunately for him, the side judge's hat was on the ground. They changed the rule the following season.

[OverAndBack]

Still.

[Suudy]

Originally Posted by AndrewMcCarthy

If a player (going in) contacts the pylon with the ball while it is in his possession, it is a TD whether he is airborne or not.

Is this an NFL'ism? As I understand it in NFHS, the GL extended only applies if a player is on his feet. If a player leaves his feet and hits the pylon, it is not a touchdown.

[Bob M.]

Originally Posted by Suudy

Is this an NFL'ism? As I understand it in NFHS, the GL extended only applies if a player is on his feet. If a player leaves his feet and hits the pylon, it is not a touchdown.

REPLY: If I'm not mistaken, the NFL rule still requires him to land inbounds. It only ignores his touching of the pylon.

[Stripe]

I'm with cougar. I've always been told the same thing. It would be a touchdown because he broke the plane of the goal line.

[NickelDeuce]

Think of it this way. As long at the receiver touches the pylon while he is airborn it's like he hasn't touched it at all simply because he is in the air. What if the pylon was not there and he jumps up, catches the ball and lands inbounds. TD.

If he hits the pylon going up or coming down, he still has to get both feet inbounds. It makes sense to me.

[AndrewMcCarthy]

Originally Posted by Suudy

Is this an NFL'ism? As I understand it in NFHS, the GL extended only applies if a player is on his feet. If a player leaves his feet and hits the pylon, it is not a touchdown.

You need to read the rest of my post. If he hits the pylon with the ball, I'm going up with it. I'm not going to try to sell that he hit the "wrong" side of the pylon.

[Suudy]

Originally Posted by AndrewMcCarthy

You need to read the rest of my post. If he hits the pylon with the ball, I'm going up with it. I'm not going to try to sell that he hit the "wrong" side of the pylon.

I understand that the center of discussion is about the NFL side of things. I'm trying to confirm my understanding of NFHS.

The entire pylon is out of bounds. Regardless of what side of the pylong the player hits, if he is off his feet, I'd rule out of bounds at the 1 foot line, or wherever is about where the ball crossed the sidelines.

Of course if he is on his feet (in bounds of course), then we have a TD because the ball crossed the GL extended.

[OverAndBack]

Originally Posted by Suudy

The entire pylon is out of bounds. Regardless of what side of the pylong the player hits, if he is off his feet, I'd rule out of bounds at the 1 foot line, or wherever is about where the ball crossed the sidelines.

Of course if he is on his feet (in bounds of course), then we have a TD because the ball crossed the GL extended.

Is that correct? 'Cause that'll make my life a whole lot simpler if that's really the deal right there.

[Warrenkicker]

Originally Posted by Suudy

The entire pylon is out of bounds. Regardless of what side of the pylong the player hits, if he is off his feet, I'd rule out of bounds at the 1 foot line, or wherever is about where the ball crossed the sidelines.

Be careful with that thought.

PYLONS
1.2.4 SITUATION: Ball carrier A10 dives into the pylon at the intersection of the goal line and sidelines. RULING: Touchdown. Assuming the pylon was placed properly, the ball broke the plane of the goal line prior to the touching of the pylon.