Rule Enforcement

[LeRoy]

What would you tell the captain as far as his choices?

PLAY:
Second and 10 for for Team A from it's own 20 yardline. B1 graps but does not twist or pull the face mask of Fullback A2, who was blocking behind the neutral zone. The foul occurs before a legal forward pass that crosses the netural zone is caught by A3, who is downed at team A's 26 yardline.

[LeRoy]

Talking about NHSF

[grantsrc]

Ok, so you have foul during the run preceeding a loose ball play. Defensive live ball fouls are enforced from the basic spot and the basic spot here is the previous spot since the foul occured during the LBP. So A's options are, decline the penalty and take the result of the play, 3rd and 4, or accept the penalty, 2nd and 5.

[Bob M.]

REPLY: OK Grant...here's the test: Would it be any different for NCAA?

[grantsrc]

Originally Posted by Bob M.

REPLY: OK Grant...here's the test: Would it be any different for NCAA?

Man Bob, you know I am trying to learn the differences! My head hurts trying to sort all this cr*p out!!

Ok, so here is my process to find the answer to your question. (I do this for all plays like this, either NFHS or NCAA).

• Start with definitions. Here there are a few to look at.
  • Type of play: This is a pass play (I will use NCAA terminology- hopefully correctly too). These start at the snap and end when a legal forward pass is complete.
  • Spots: Basic spot on pass plays is the previous spot.
  • Spot of foul: Doesn't really matter since foul by B.
  • Enforcement spot: Since pass play, enforce from basic spot which is previous spot.
• Type of foul:
  • Defensive 5 yard facemask.
  • Live ball, during pass play.
  • No automatic first down.
• Enforcement:
  • If accepted:
    • Distance: 5 yards
    • Where from: Basic spot which is previous spot
    • Down: Replay since LBF
    • Clock status: On ready
  • If declined (wouldn't that be nice and easy?!?):
    • Result of play
    • Clock status: On ready

Now, I REALLY hope I went through that properly. I am sure I messed up the vocab some.

My final answer is no, there wouldn't be any difference. But knowing you the way most of us do, Bob, there probably is some difference.

[The Roamin' Umpire]

Originally Posted by Bob M.

REPLY: OK Grant...here's the test: Would it be any different for NCAA?

I'll take a shot, though NCAA isn't my bailiwick and I don't have a copy of the rulebook here.

I believe I've read here that contact fouls against eligible receivers result in automatic first downs. Now I'm not sure if the foul needs to be beyond the NZ or not. I'm going to guess that it does. So I say no difference in the ruling.

[grantsrc]

Originally Posted by The Roamin' Umpire

I'll take a shot, though NCAA isn't my bailiwick and I don't have a copy of the rulebook here.

I believe I've read here that contact fouls against eligible receivers result in automatic first downs. Now I'm not sure if the foul needs to be beyond the NZ or not. I'm going to guess that it does. So I say no difference in the ruling.

Yes, contact fouls on an eligible receiver is an automatic first down. But in this case, even though he is eligible I would say that since he is in the act of blocking, the automatic first down wouldn't apply.

BTW- here is a link the NCAA rule book. I save a copy on my computers and my jump drive. That way I always have it!http://www.ncaa.org/library/rules/20...ball_rules.pdf