Rule Clarification and Citation

[FTVMartin]

It all comes down to judgment. Would he have came down inbounds had the contact not occurred?

[cdoug]

Originally Posted by FTVMartin

It all comes down to judgment. Would he have came down inbounds had the contact not occurred?

Yes, even though he was in the air moving toward the sideline and forced out, I believe he would have come down inbounds if he had not been pushed by the defender.

So, am I correct in understanding that it should have been a complete catch?

[Jim D]

Originally Posted by cdoug

Yes, even though he was in the air moving toward the sideline and forced out, I believe he would have come down inbounds if he had not been pushed by the defender.

So, am I correct in understanding that it should have been a complete catch?

It's really a judgement call. The comments about moving toward the sideline or moving forward are rules of thumb. Normally, if the receiver is moving towards the sideline and gets a little extra shove, it's doubtful whether he would have been able to come down inbounds. If it's maybe yes, maybe no then it should be called incomplete. But if he's 5 yards inbounds and then gets pushed/shoved/carried out of bounds, and you feel confident that he certainly would have come down inbounds, then give him the catch.