NAFOA POTD for Dec 10, 2007

[Bob M.]

Originally Posted by waltjp

Can only mean one thing, Bob...it's time to move up!

REPLY: Been there...done that...have the scars.

[dumbref]

Originally Posted by Bob M.

REPLY: Sorry I'm late to the party on this one. When I first saw this wording change in the summer, I saw two distinct rule changes being made: (1) it appeared that only Team A (team not in final possession) fouls prior the final change in possession needed to be declined for B to retain ball (Lord knows what they planned on doing with Team A fouls after the final change of possession!!), and (2) apparently they were moving toward a new enforcement where after Team B made its decision, then Team A would be given a choice of how they wanted to dispose of Team B's foul (like the NCAA handles it). And yet, it was listed as an editorial change. This didn't sound kosher to me, so I asked Steve Hall to query Colgate about it. Colgate responded that the new wording is very confusing (ya' think?) and is not meant to imply any new interpretation. According to Mr. Colgate: (a) Team B must decline all Team A fouls to retain the ball, and Team A still has no choices to make--Team B's foul must be enforced. According to the Fed Rules Editor, there was no change in enforcement for 2007. Everything remains the same--except the confounded change in the wording!

I got the same interpretation from our state at the beginning of the season – use the case play for the ruling. The problem with the case play, it has always violated fundamental X.1. The distance penalty for any penalty may be declined.

The editorial change actually now supports the fundamental. I agree with you and Walt, this is more than an editorial change as written. And the case play is no longer supported by rule.

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by dumbref

The problem with the case play, it has always violated fundamental X.1. The distance penalty for any penalty may be declined.

Don't confuse declining the distance with declining the foul. A penalty may be accepted without accepting yardage.

[logjam]

Game over B looses. Since time expired during the down, B would HAVE to accept the penalty against A for holding in order to extend the game for an untimed down (NF 3.3.3). A would retain the ball and be assessed. If B doesn't, take the ball and hold it up; that's game. A would undoubtedly take a knee and call it the day. This is not a double foul. These are 2 live ball fouls pre and post change. Since B got the ball with clean hands, prior to the change, they retain the ball and get the option first. They would undoubtedly decline A's penalty. But their hands got dirty after the change, A has the option to accept or decline. Going back to 3.3.3, A would probably decline....game over.

[kdf5]

Originally Posted by waltjp

Don't confuse declining the distance with declining the foul. A penalty may be accepted without accepting yardage.

The way I understand that is you can decline the yardage but you still have to accept other aspects of the foul such as LOD or automatic first down. Is that correct?

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by kdf5

The way I understand that is you can decline the yardage but you still have to accept other aspects of the foul such as LOD or automatic first down. Is that correct?

Correct.