TD or NO TD

[Robert Goodman]

I find it funny in anybody's code that a player has to do more to complete a catch while falling than while just running, especially when it's already harder to catch a ball while falling, and most especially considering that inexperienced players may put arms out to break their fall (foolishly because that can lead to injury).

For those using the "survive the ground" code or interpret'n, does it also apply to a player crashing into a goal support? If a teammate in the end zone catches the receiver (who already has the ball) to prevent his falling to the ground or hitting the goal post, is that helping the runner?

I can see using "survive the ground" as a guideline to judgment for otherwise unclear cases, but not a hard & fast rule unless it explicitly is a rule in the code you're using.

[jTheUmp]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

For those using the "survive the ground" code or interpret'n, does it also apply to a player crashing into a goal support?

Yes.

If a teammate in the end zone catches the receiver (who already has the ball) to prevent his falling to the ground or hitting the goal post, is that helping the runner?

No. Read rule 9-1.

[bisonlj]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

I find it funny in anybody's code that a player has to do more to complete a catch while falling than while just running, especially when it's already harder to catch a ball while falling, and most especially considering that inexperienced players may put arms out to break their fall (foolishly because that can lead to injury).

For those using the "survive the ground" code or interpret'n, does it also apply to a player crashing into a goal support? If a teammate in the end zone catches the receiver (who already has the ball) to prevent his falling to the ground or hitting the goal post, is that helping the runner?

I can see using "survive the ground" as a guideline to judgment for otherwise unclear cases, but not a hard & fast rule unless it explicitly is a rule in the code you're using.

This is where the consistency gets really nice. If a receiver catches the pass and gets hit immediately causing the ball to come out, it's incomplete. If he crashes into the goal support immediately after catching the ball, it's incomplete. If the goal support is well behind the end line he may have had a few steps before hitting it. Then it would be complete. If he goes to the ground a few steps after catching it, then it's complete. The more you understand the concept and the more plays you watch, the more this philosophy makes it so much easier to make a call and the more consistent your decisions will be.

This is also not about being consistent between the different levels. We are borrowing something from them that has made their rulings be more consistent. It fits within the wording and spirit of the rule.

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by bisonlj

This is where the consistency gets really nice. If a receiver catches the pass and gets hit immediately causing the ball to come out, it's incomplete. If he crashes into the goal support immediately after catching the ball, it's incomplete. If the goal support is well behind the end line he may have had a few steps before hitting it. Then it would be complete. If he goes to the ground a few steps after catching it, then it's complete.

So then the action of falling is not the be-all & end-all of defining an interval in which the player must retain control of the ball. A few steps is sufficient even if the player is falling while stepping (and at the end of that fall hits the ground or a goal support).

[bisonlj]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

So then the action of falling is not the be-all & end-all of defining an interval in which the player must retain control of the ball. A few steps is sufficient even if the player is falling while stepping (and at the end of that fall hits the ground or a goal support).

If he's going to the ground in the process of completing the catch, then he must maintain possession even if there are a couple steps. That's a pretty rare combination and there could be some judgement involved. After watching a few plays it becomes much easier to identify this action.