Confused about 1-point safeties...

[Mike22Official]

I was discussing it with a friend, that's the only reason I was wondering about the NCAA ruling as well.

Was I right on those 6 scenarios above?

[Kirby]

You nailed them. Nice job! There is no fourth down fumble rule in NFHS rules.

[Mike22Official]

So if A has the ball, 4th and 5 on the 50, and fumbles at the 50, the ball rolls forward and out of bounds at Team B's 43 yard line, we have a first down for Team A at B's 43? Interesting. I'm surprised this isn't treated like the NCAA treats it.

And I'm assuming that A's force is what carries the ball past the line to gain.

[Smiley]

FORCE only applies to balls going into B's endzone.

[Bob M.]

REPLY: Actually, FORCE applies to balls entering EITHER endzone, right Harry?

[Smiley]

Yes, see my post just below Cruiseman's in which I acknowledge ljudge's correction to my misstatement.

[Bob M.]

Originally Posted by Smiley

Yes, see my post just below Cruiseman's in which I acknowledge ljudge's correction to my misstatement.

REPLY: smiley...so sorry. I didn't realize that there was a second page to this thread. I thought that your original post was the last one...not just the last one on the page.

[ljudge]

Originally Posted by Mike22Official

And I'm assuming that A's force is what carries the ball past the line to gain.

Don't use the term "force" in this context. It's simply a fumble that happens to become dead while still in possession of team A past the line to gain so therefore a first down for A.

Originally Posted by Smiley

FORCE only applies to balls going into B's endzone.

Untrue. The term "force" is used in connection with the goal line, any goal line whether it be B's or A's.

[CruiseMan]

Just out of curiosity. In the "Team A scores a 1pt safety" scenario. What is the proper signal for the covering official to give? We're going to have B lying on the ball in their own endzone. I guess we'd signal Safety and then let the referee explain that by rule, A is awarded one point.

[Smiley]

Correct. And LJ is correct also, force applies to both goal lines.

[MJT]

Originally Posted by Mike22Official

So if A has the ball, 4th and 5 on the 50, and fumbles at the 50, the ball rolls forward and out of bounds at Team B's 43 yard line, we have a first down for Team A at B's 43? Interesting. I'm surprised this isn't treated like the NCAA treats it.

Yes, it would be a first down for A at the spot the fumble went OOB's.