Penalty Enforcement

[bossman72]

I've recently started to read the rules on penalty enforcement and i'm not too sure on a couple situations... here's one of them:

On a pass play, let's say an A player holds (a) while the QB is in the pocket, (b) while the ball is thrown in the air, or (c) after a receiver makes a catch.

If i'm not mistaken, the basic spot for enforcement on a loose ball play is the prev line of scrimmage.

I'm pretty sure (a) and (b) are enforced from the LOS, but i'm confused on (c). If this was a 60 yd play, and the hold occurred near B's goal line, it doesn't seem right that this would be enforced from the prev LOS... i want to say this would be a spot foul, but i thought fouls by the O in front of the basic spot are penalized from the basic spot...

Set me straight, fellas. Thanks

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by bossman72

On a pass play, let's say an A player holds (a) while the QB is in the pocket

FED Rules

QB in the pocket has no bearing. What matters is where the hold was committed. Under all-but-one enforcement, the basic spot for a loose ball play is the previous spot. A penalty committed by the offense behind the basic spot is the 'one'. This is enforced from the spot of the foul.

(b) while the ball is thrown in the air

Same enforcement as above, if the foul was committed behind the basic spot it's enforced from the spot of the foul. If the foul was committed in advance of the basic spot it's enforced from the basic spot (previous spot).

(c) after a receiver makes a catch.

After the pass is caught we have a running play. The basic spot for fouls committed during the running portion of this play will be the end of the run, with the exception of fouls committed by the offense behind the basic spot, which are enforced from the spot of the foul.

[MJT]

Originally Posted by waltjp

FED Rules

QB in the pocket has no bearing. What matters is where the hold was committed. Under all-but-one enforcement, the basic spot for a loose ball play is the previous spot. A penalty committed by the offense behind the basic spot is the 'one'. This is enforced from the spot of the foul.

I know Walt knows this, but to make sure you understand that it is only a loose ball play if the ball gets thrown after the hold. If the hold occurs while the QB is in the pocket and then he runs the ball, hands it off, or gets sacked, it is a running play and the BS is the end of the run. You then would enforce the penalty from the EOR unless the hold is behind the EOR, in which case you'd enforce from the spot of the foul.

Juggling Ref brings up a good point about the hold after the pass. If that hold is against a linemen, it should not be thrown as it has no impact on the play.

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by MJT

I know Walt knows this, but to make sure you understand that it is only a loose ball play if the ball gets thrown after the hold. If the hold occurs while the QB is in the pocket and then he runs the ball, hands it off, or gets sacked, it is a running play and the BS is the end of the run. You then would enforce the penalty from the EOR unless the hold is behind the EOR, in which case you'd enforce from the spot of the foul.

Juggling Ref brings up a good point about the hold after the pass. If that hold is against a linemen, it should not be thrown as it has no impact on the play.

Yes, exactly. Thanks for filling in the blanks.

As an Umpire I stay with the line play for a bit after the pass is thrown just to keep an eye on any cheap shots. I'll also verbalize and let them know that I'm still watching if they're still dancing with each other.

[MJT]

Originally Posted by waltjp

Yes, exactly. Thanks for filling in the blanks.

As an Umpire I stay with the line play for a bit after the pass is thrown just to keep an eye on any cheap shots.

Walt, if it is not a deep pass, don't you pivot to help on whether it is a catch or no catch? The R cannot help on those, so I (the R) am the one who cleans up line play with "ball's away" and "we're done" so the U can pivot. On many plays, especially drags or down and ins he has the best look at if it was a catch or no catch.

[waltjp]

Yes, I'll turn to give some help on the catch/trap. About the only ones I miss are the quick slants and short crossing patterns that have me diving for cover!

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by bossman72

I've recently started to read the rules on penalty enforcement and i'm not too sure on a couple situations... here's one of them:

On a pass play, let's say an A player holds (a) while the QB is in the pocket, (b) while the ball is thrown in the air, or (c) after a receiver makes a catch.

If i'm not mistaken, the basic spot for enforcement on a loose ball play is the prev line of scrimmage.

I'm pretty sure (a) and (b) are enforced from the LOS, but i'm confused on (c). If this was a 60 yd play, and the hold occurred near B's goal line, it doesn't seem right that this would be enforced from the prev LOS... i want to say this would be a spot foul, but i thought fouls by the O in front of the basic spot are penalized from the basic spot...

Set me straight, fellas. Thanks

CANADIAN RULING:

While the pocket has no significance in Canadian football, (a) is applied from the LS.

In (b): if the ball is in the air, a hold is rare. I would think it only matters if it's against a receiver, in which case it's probably PI instead. But if it's not and whiel the ball is airborne, apply from LS.

In (c), if yards were gained, apply from Point Ball Held. If yards were not gained, apply from LS.