NAFOA POTD for Oct 12, 2007

[JugglingReferee]

Here's today's Play of the Day:

B1 intercepts A1's pass in the end zone where B1 is grabbed by the face mask, then fumbles while in the end zone and (a) the ball rolls back into the field of pay and then goes out of bounds at B's 2-yard line; (b) the ball rolls back into the field of play where B7 recovers the ball at B's 5-yard line.

Fed Ruling:

In both (a) and (b), the basic spot is the end of the run where the fumble occurred, therefore, the 20-yard line.(10.4.6)Casebook.

Canadian Ruling:

In (a), B's interception in the EZ brings the ball out to the 20. Tack on 15 yards for the facemask, and it is B 1D/10 @ B-35.

In (b), B7's recovery at the B-5 is a point of application for the facemask. This would bring the ball to the 20 (5 + 15). But, the 20 yard line is still a point of application, and therefore B 1D/10 @ B-35 is the better option.

[Bob M.]

REPLY: This play is covered by the Federation 2007 rule change (NF 10-4-6). Unfortunately, the wording in the ruling is confusing. On one hand they tell you that the basic spot is the end of the run; then they tell you that's the 20 yard line. The ruling should read: "In both (a) and (b), the basic spot is the end of the run where the fumble occurred, therefore, the 20-yard line.(10.4.6)" Delete the words in red.

[JugglingReferee]

Thanks Bob for the clarification.

[Bob M.]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

Thanks Bob for the clarification.

REPLY: JR...that's not from any Fed document or website. It's just my opinion of how they should clean up the wording to match the new rule and remove any chance of confusion.

[JugglingReferee]

Bob, I've seen the work you've done to educate officials.

There's a thread in the basketball section (not that you didn't know) that leads the posters to believe that the Fed is reading the forum.

Maybe they should read your material, too!

[andy1033]

I agree it is confusing, the point being if the run ends in the end zone it is a touchback when a fouls and the ball rolls out of the end zone. It would have been simply to say that this was a touchback.