Pick your ruling

[vtbackjudge]

bisonlj, et al

The Referee blows the whistle marking the ball "Read for Play". The Down begins when the ball becomes Live (Snap/Kick) and ends when the ball becomes Dead. Unless I'm reading 2-43-4 incorrectly, it suggests that after the RFP and before the next RFP, the Team Designations at the start of that Down ARE RETAINED until the NEXT RFP (Where the team designations may be different due to a COP during the Down). Correct ? Does this not imply that the A/B (Offense/Defense) and K/R (Kicker/Receiver) Labels do not change either ?

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by vtbackjudge

Does this not imply that the A/B (Offense/Defense) and K/R (Kicker/Receiver) Labels do not change either ?

"A" and "B" remain constant. The team on offense and the team on defense can change during a down if there is a change of possession.

The definitions correctly allow for this possibility, which is why you don't see "A = the team on offense" but rather "A = the team that puts the ball in play."

[Welpe]

Whoops, sorry, it is forward handing. At least I had the forward part right.

Fortunatley, despite my gaffe, the rule still applies.

Vt, the others are correct. Only Team A and B remain consistent throughout the down.

There are probably some case plays to this effect but I don't have access to a book now.

Force is only one way a safety may be awarded. The offense committing a foul that is enforced from their endzone is another.

Ponder this simpler play.

Team B intercepts a forward pass at their 5 yard line and the runner is downed at the B-10.

During the return, B32 clips A20 in Team B's endzone. What do you have?