Spotting the Ball

[Blue37]

Originally Posted by Texas Aggie

Some of the "wild" spots result from officials being behind or in front of the play and not having a good angle on where the ball is when the play is dead. For example, a wing official behind a runner going out of bounds knows where the foot hit but he might now know exactly where the ball was. We can't guess, so all we can do is put the ball where the foot went out.

I've never had any complaints about that.

I think there is more to it than this. We might not know exactly where the ball was when the player went out, but we can take other factors into account. How was he holding the ball? Was he stretching out?

Most of the time, you will be within the degree of tolerance if you put it where the foot hit the line, but an absolute statement to always put it there precludes using judgment, and judgment is more important as the level of play increases.

[AndrewMcCarthy]

Originally Posted by FeetBallRef

These are different definitions, do they mean the same thing?

I take them to mean the same thing, yes.

[CO ump]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

How about if he extends the ball and immediately yells "down"? (They still have that in Fed? NCAA abolished it a long time ago.)

If they do I'd like to see the rule. Rule 4 makes no mention of ball carrier yelling "down" as a way to end a down.

[Bob M.]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

How about if he extends the ball and immediately yells "down"? (They still have that in Fed? NCAA abolished it a long time ago.)

REPLY: No such thing in either Fed or NCAA.