Pass interference illegal arm bar

[rodneyw]

I understand the replies and the ball being catchable has nothing to do with it. I am not a referee so I am asking for opinions. Do you flag every infraction regardless of the situation, I would think if you did a game could go on forever. I would think some interpetation and judgement would be used by the refs if not then hey, I am wrong.

[Forksref]

In every play interpretation and judgment is used. It just doesn't always go in favor of your team. When "interpretation" and judgment" are used in describing a play, then you won't get a black and white result.

Thanks for asking.

[waltjp]

Pass interference was called. None of us was there to witness the play but based upon what you have posted it sounds like the correct call was made. Defensive pass interference is a 15 yard penalty, or half the distance to the goal if the previous spot is inside the 30-yard line, and an automatic first down.

[rodneyw]

Consensus is the right call was made that is fine. All I wanted to know. Thanks for the replies and I did also consider that maybe the receiver was held up.

Thanks

[Bob M.]

Originally Posted by rodneyw

I understand the replies and the ball being catchable has nothing to do with it. I am not a referee so I am asking for opinions. Do you flag every infraction regardless of the situation, I would think if you did a game could go on forever. I would think some interpetation and judgement would be used by the refs if not then hey, I am wrong.

REPLY: No rodneyw, we do not flag every infraction regardless of situation, but consider this. The arm bar (which is nothing more than sticking the arm out into the receiver's chest or midsection to restrict his movement to the ball) might have occurred early during the pass's flight and created a situation where it now 'looks' like he could never have caught the ball, when in fact he might have been able to either catch the pass or bat the ball away from your safety had the arm bar not occurred. What you saw at the end of the play could most definitely have been affected by what occurred earlier. That's the judgment that the covering official needed to make.