Another play similar to my previous post. (Down and distance don't really matter for this discussion)

A7 drops back to throw a screen pass to A32. B99 smells screen and is in great defensive position to tackle receiver A32 for a big loss if A32 catches the screen pass. A7 sees that B99 is positioned very well and throws a line drive at the feet of A32.

A32 is aware of the pass. A7 obviously has no intention to complete the pass. How do we rule?

Incomplete pass, roll the down.

Ok here we go again...... I have an incomplete forward pass, your post says nothing about pressure on A7 and an impending sack...so to me this is nothing more than avoiding an interception or loss of yardage after the completion...

Smart play by A7.

Yes, he probably grounded it but at the feet of A32.

What if at the last moment he saw B99 and held back on the pass just enough for it to land at B99's feet. If you could read his mind -- and if you could why are you on the football field -- you would know he did not intent to ground the ball but was avoiding a potential interception.

My rule of thumb, if there is doubt, then there is nothing.

One of the best things I've ever been told about plays like this: rule based on what you see, not based on what you think a player intended. We aren't psychics, and the thought process of 16-18 year olds often makes it impossible to guess what they "intended" to do. And we sure can't begin our explanation to a coach with, "Well coach, I feel like what he MEANT to do was..."

I agree...incomplete pass.

I agree with what everyone has said here in regards to this play. I'm now a little more confused with how to rule on the play where the QB throws the ball over his head.


In both plays, the QB had no intention to complete the pass and under both situations, he was throwing the ball away to avoid a loss of yardage.

My opinion on this is that we will never know what a player's intentions are. In NCAA it makes no difference how the pass is thrown (underhanded, over his head, behind his back) If we start ruling on intentions then were going to have a mess. If a foul is there according the rule then flag it. Most fouls committed are never intended to occur by the player. In your opinion if a player intended to rough the passer are you going to penalize him. In your play he may be a "Jason Kidd type passer" and throws those no look passes behind his back with accuracy.

In your play he may be a "Jason Kidd type passer" and throws those no look passes behind his back with accuracy. [/QUOTE]

Just not in the finals.