Purpose of the beanbag....

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by Andy

I'm not a football official, but do officiate other sports so this question is just to satisfy my curiosity...

What is the purpose of an official tossing a beanbag when there is an apparent fumble? That is the only time I have noticed the beanbag being used. Are there other times that the beanbag is used? Thanks.

CANADIAN MECHANIC:

The bean bag could be used for:

- point of fumble
- point of recovery
- point of possession (after a KO or punt)
- point of offside pass
- point where QB releases when grounding the ball
- other spots to remember

[Texas Aggie]

NCAA bean bags:

-- most fumbles (behind the LOS it isn't necessary unless near the OOB area)
-- illegal touches by kicking team
-- end of scrimmage kick
-- end of free kick if inside 5 and momentum takes into end zone
-- interception if inside 5 and momentum takes into end zone

There may be some more I'm not remembering right now. Back Judges usually carry 2 bags as they will often have both an illegal touch and end of kick. As an R, I rarely throw one.

[TXMike]

NCAA - Need it for all changes of TEAM possession where possession is gained by a team inside its own 5 and the momentum exception might be applied. Also need it for all 4th down fumbles by Team A beyond or behind NZ, close or not to the sideline) as well as on all trys. When a hand-off or backward pass occurs beyond the neutral zone or when there is no neutral zone. When a scrimmage kick ends inbounds. When a Team A player illegally touches a free or scrimmage kick. When necessary to mark forward progress when the runner/passer is driven back.

It is NOT needed when the snapper/QB exchange is not successfully completed and the ball comes loose