After further review: NFL

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

First, the default on a replay situation if you "can't tell" is to go with the official's original call, which is as it should be - he was in the right position on this play, and the camera wasn't.

But generally, you seem to disagree with the default position if awarding a score if you're not sure. In cases where you aren't sure (these better be few and far between), you do your best. You don't default toward one team or the other. Your assumption that you shouldn't award a score if you don't see one makes sense, but your corollary is even worse - awarding a turnover if you don't see one. If you're not SURE the ball was loose before it crossed the end line, you can't call it a loose ball.

Rugby Union has a "default" call in a case somewhat analogous to what's been raised. In case of doubt as to whether the ball was touched down by the attacking team in goal, it's a 5-meter scrum, attacking side to put the ball in. But you couldn't translate that literally to North American football, moving the ball back that far in case of doubt as to a TD. There's no really good point to default to.

Robert