Originally Posted by asdf (Post 911168)

B leads A 14 -12 with 2 seconds remaining in the game. A's ball 3rd and goal from the 3. A56 snaps the ball over A12's head and there is a scramble for the ball. A12 finally secures the ball at B's 35 and attempts to advance it. B54 inadvertently grasps A12 by the face mask while he tackles him at B's 35.

A scores a touchdown as time expires making the score 14-12 in favor of B. On the try, A56 snaps the ball over A12's head and there is a scramble for the ball. A12 finally secures the ball at B's 35 and attempts to advance it. B54 inadvertently grasps A12 by the face mask while he tackles him at B's 35.


Save for the fact that a try is involved, this action after the snap is identical. However, in the first case A now has to attempt either a 47 yard field goal or a final Hail Mary to win the game. In the second scenario, A gets an attempt to tie the game by replaying the try from the 3.

By invoking the "declining the distance", team A actually is the recipient of a 32 yard penalty enforcement for a 5 yard face mask foul.

Hardly an equitable situation for B and this flies in the face of the philosophy that rules are made to create/ensure competitive a balance between the teams.

Originally Posted by asdf (Post 911190)

I'm surprised that the 5 yarder still exists in HS.

Originally Posted by bisonlj (Post 911101)

I think it makes sense because a try is a different kind of play in many ways and allowing A/K to re-try it at the original spot if a foul by B/R would leave the enforcement behind this spot is a fair penalty. I also think foul by A behind the NZ or fouls by B during running plays that end behind the NZ should be enforced at the previous spot. A DB holds a receiver downfield preventing the QB from having an open receiver and then a 15-yard sack should not result in A having to snap 5 yards BEHIND the previous spot.

Originally Posted by Rich (Post 911214)

Especially since so many times it's invoked when it should've been 15.