Kick-off return or touchback
 

http://www.themercury.com/view/docum...11-06-41046-93

Which way would you go.

Am I missing something here?

This looks like a touchdown to me.

It looks like he may have caught it in the field of play and then stepped back into the endzone. When in doubt, give him the return. But the referee could have been better positioned (not so close).

I've got it frozen at the exact moment of the catch, and the player's feet are on the ground, slightly in front of his body - body leaning back. It looks like the ball could've been breaking the plane of the goal line right then, but bad angle. Referee has a better look than I do.

Then two more quick clicks of play and pause, and the player looks completely behind the goal line, to me.

It's pretty clear to me, in slowing it down, that the ball crossed the plane of the goal line (most likely, completely across), so it looks like it should either have been:

1. Touchback, or
2. R's ball at the 1/2 yard line, which I doubt too many Referees would do back there. (8-5-2-a-Exception)

The only way it could have been number 2 is if the ball became dead in the endzone after he possessed it at the 1/2 yard line. Just because his momentum took into the end zone does not mean the play is dead...he still has the opportunity to run it out.

This play is so close that in real-time I'd probably rule no touchback. Now, if you do rule no touchback do you need a bean bag at the 1-foot line or do you just use common sense and since it is a kickoff there is virtually no way he will be tackled in the end zone once he starts his return?

Kirby - You're correct. (I'm on a roll.)

And I'd bag it, if I saw it that way, since I always have my bag in my hand in kicking situations when I'm back there.

Man is that close! Not a TB.

When in doubt, give them the return.

No touchback.

I wonder how this vote would go if the team-R players return wasn't shown or if the team-R player was tackled on the 5 yard-line or less.

Very close. I think you should give him the return.
My question is, what college did the wing guy run track for? Man was he fast! I wish I had wheels like that.

The camera is so far away it is difficult to tell. It looks to me like he caught the ball outside the endzone. Since the referee was right there when the ball was caught I don't think I can second-guess his call.

This play took white from leading 18-14 to blue leading 21-18 which was also the final score. This was blue's only positive play in the second half. White's radio announcers were convinced it should have been a touchback and were not kind in their comments toward the officials after that play.

I agree that R is too close to the play. L should not have been trying to stay stride-for-stride with the returner. He could have been wiped out on this play very easily. BJ, at the goal line, was in great position.

Interesting. At a recent state meeting we were told that when in doubt it is a touchback.

The official's manual gives guidelines for when in doubt and the only thing in there is when it is a question about a touchback or a safety go with a touchback. In this situation it was either a touchback or a momentum situation thus it is left to the official in that position to decide on what to call it.

I wonder if R dropped a bean bag???