Hmmm..........what do you think?

[johnSandlin]

This happened this past Friday back in my home area of Michigan.

Here is the situation:

Team A (home team) is trailing 25-22 with :57.1 to go in regulation. Team A does a pooch on side kick (according to the newspaper article). Team A recovers the ball.

However, Team B (visiting team and winning at the time) is given possession of the ball because the kick did not hit the ground.

Team A is miffed to say the least. According to the paper, the head referee (assuming the white hat) goes and gets his rulebook, brings out to the field, shows and explains the rule to Team A's coach.

Team A ends up losing 25-22.

Has anyone ever left the field or stopped the game for the purpose of getting the rulebook out? (talking high school, not weekend tournaments like baseball where rules are altered) t

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by johnSandlin

This happened this past Friday back in my home area of Michigan.

Here is the situation:

Team A (home team) is trailing 25-22 with :57.1 to go in regulation. Team A does a pooch on side kick (according to the newspaper article). Team A recovers the ball.

However, Team B (visiting team and winning at the time) is given possession of the ball because the kick did not hit the ground.

Team A is miffed to say the least. According to the paper, the head referee (assuming the white hat) goes and gets his rulebook, brings out to the field, shows and explains the rule to Team A's coach.

Team A ends up losing 25-22.

Has anyone ever left the field or stopped the game for the purpose of getting the rulebook out? (talking high school, not weekend tournaments like baseball where rules are altered)

Wow. All we can say is wow. In Canada, the ball needing to hit the ground does not exist. But to bring a rulebook out during the game. Bad move in any location.

[NewGuy]

There's no need to ever break out a rule book. The officials should know the rules well enough not to need it and be confident in their ruling. If the coach has a problem, they can look it up themselves after the game. Its not our jobs to prove they don't know the rule.

[Forksref]

Bottom line...did they get it right?

[cougar729]

Kinda depends.

The kick must go 10 yards and touch the ground before A can recover and gain possession

[johnSandlin]

Based on what I read in the rulebook, because I wanted to make sure myself, the crew did the call right. The ball does have to hit for the ground first in order for Team A to keep the ball.

[w_sohl]

Originally Posted by cougar729

Kinda depends.

The kick must go 10 yards and touch the ground before A can recover and gain possession

I do the same thing on occasion and not give everything in a rule. You are partially correct, K (or A) can recover before either of those things happens if R (or B) touches the ball first.

[bossman72]

Originally Posted by cougar729

Kinda depends.

The kick must go 10 yards and touch the ground before A can recover and gain possession

When you say "touch the ground", do you mean touch the ground after it has gone 10 yards, or touch the ground any time after it has been kicked?

[golfnref]

Originally Posted by bossman72

When you say "touch the ground", do you mean touch the ground after it has gone 10 yards, or touch the ground any time after it has been kicked?

"go 10 yards and touch the ground" in that order. Or put another way, "after
the ball has gone ten yards and then touched the ground, K may recover and keep possession. And as previously stated, if R touches the ball before it goes 10 yards, K may then legally recover.

[Sonofanump]

Originally Posted by NewGuy

There's no need to ever break out a rule book. The officials should know the rules well enough not to need it and be confident in their ruling. If the coach has a problem, they can look it up themselves after the game. Its not our jobs to prove they don't know the rule.

So if the coach uses a time out to discuss a rule interp, your linesman does not bring the rule book on the field?

We had a coach not believe us on 7.1.7.b last Friday night, showed him at half, but what if he request it during the game using a TO?

[txrefcshou]

Originally Posted by Sonofanump

So if the coach uses a time out to discuss a rule interp, your linesman does not bring the rule book on the field?

We had a coach not believe us on 7.1.7.b last Friday night, showed him at half, but what if he request it during the game using a TO?

What if he requested lobster and wine?

[jjrye22]

Originally Posted by txrefcshou

What if he requested lobster and wine?

Well, the w(h)ine can easily be collected from around the sideline.

James

[jontheref]

Another take---similar but different. I don't know if this would have changed the options for the receivers at all....but since the ball was caught--this is also by definition and rule Kick Catching Interference. An awarded fair catch or rekick and fifteen yards. Like I say doesnt make a difference, since the R is going to take the ball where it was touched or awarded. Just a sidebar issue though.

[Sonofanump]

Originally Posted by txrefcshou

What if he requested lobster and wine?

I checked, did not see anything about that under rule 3.5.2.c or 3.5.11. Maybe you have a different rule book than I have. Mine has 3.5 starting on page 43 and ending on page 45.

[Rob S]

I've worked in 2 different states, and I have never seen rule book been on the field (at least as far as officials go). We handle by dicussing the rule with the coach. To me, it seems like we should go with the officials rather than the coach unless they can present the correct ruling (which is why they take the time out anyways). But it does make me wonder what other groups do?