Loss of Down on Try

Ray Lutz · #1 (**permalink**) Thu Oct 17, 2002, 10:23pm

On a try, end A88 is covered by wide reciver A81 essentially making 88 a tackle. At the snap A88 goes into the endzone and catches the pass from his QB.

88 is ruled illegally down field and guilty of OPI. OPI carries a loss of down. Team B wants the OPI enforced. Then A doesn't get to replay the try. QUESTION IS should the 15 yards distance portion of that penalty be measured off from the succeeding spot? I say no! Young rules hotshot says yes. Have researched and have not come accross definitive answer yet. What say ye?

snrmike · #2 (**permalink**) Thu Oct 17, 2002, 10:36pm

The penalty is enforced on the try. The loss of down means that the try is unsuccessful. Because you have already enforced the foul (NF code) the yardage will NOT be assessed on the kickoff. They are confusing the interpretation with NCAA and NFL rules.

Ray Lutz · #3 (**permalink**) Thu Oct 17, 2002, 10:44pm

I agree, but help me find something in the rule book that supports that.

snrmike · #4 (**permalink**) Fri Oct 18, 2002, 07:39am

OK. My rulebook is now 3 blocks away in a Chicago Loop parking lot. I'll check it on the way to my game tonight and I'll ask my mates with more time on their hands this morning to look it up. One of those guys is a rules interpreter for the IHSAA (Indiana). He's a lawyer. I'm sure he has the exact page and line memorized

nvfoa15 · #5 (**permalink**) Fri Oct 18, 2002, 09:18am

Rule 8-3-4

:...If during a successful try, a loss of down foul by A occurs, there is no score and no replay."

All fouls (with exceptions) are penalized according to the all-but-one principle. Since there is, by rule, no replay there is no basic spot to enforce from. There is no provision in the rules to "carry over" A fouls on a try.

snrmike · #6 (**permalink**) Fri Oct 18, 2002, 10:18am

I have more info on this ruling as well.

This is from Bob Parker, two-time IHSAA State Finals Referee and IHSAA interpreter:

Acceptance of a penalty that includes LOD against A on a try results in the try being canceled without replay.
8-3-4. (Just as stated by "nvfoa15")

The enforcement of OPI is controlled by the "all-but-one" principle. That dictates that enforcement is from the previous spot, since the foul is, by definition, committed during a loose ball play. 10-4-2b.

The only provision for special enforcement relating to a try is for a foul by B on a successful try. 10-10-5-1d. Hope this helps.

Ray Lutz · #7 (**permalink**) Fri Oct 18, 2002, 01:20pm

Thanks

I think your last paragraph is the best support available.