Ask a Football Official anything

513 Questions

Last Answer on January 23, 2021

In trying to run time off the clock at the end of a close game, can offensive player with ball stop short of the goal line and stand there waiting for the defense to try to get to him before he steps over the goal line? Or is that “Taunting”?

Asked by sb almost 11 years ago

There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with this. Not much different than the times when a punter takes a snap and runs around in the endzone (I think this was in last yeat's Super Bowl) to kill time before running out of bounds. Defensive teams have allowed offenses to score in order to get the ball back quickly. It isn't a "mockery" of te game, it's a strategy. As long as the ball carrier isn't taunting (e.g. waving it in the face of the opponent) it seems to be a legal and a smart move.

688 Votes

In a TX high school game, the kicker missed the ball when he was attempting to kick off. Kind of a "Charlie Brown" moment...lol. Anyway, the ref's acted like it didn't even happen and rekicked it. Shouldn't it have been an offside penalty?

Asked by Ray's dad about 10 years ago

No. Although I undrstand your idea. On a kickoff, only the kicker may (technically) be in front of the restrainig line. Especially with "soccer sdtyle" kickers, they often approach from the side. In this case, the generally accepted practice is to pretty much call a do over, which is what they did. No kick, no play.

688 Votes

If a snap goes over a punters head; the punter retrieves it @ the 1.5 yd line & tries to throw a pass. The defense deflects it and the ball lands in the endend zone, but bounces out-of-bounds.
What's the ruling?

Asked by lcpcop@gmail.com almost 11 years ago

If it is ruled a forward pass (unlike the Patriots' play in the playoffs), it's an incomplete pass. On the other hand, if it is ruled a fumble -- as it was against the Pats -- then you have a safety. If anyone legally throws a forward pass - a punter, kick holder, a halfback - and it's incomplete, then it's, well, incomplete. The fact that it rolled out of the endzone is irrelevent.

686 Votes

When a QB is behind the line of scrimmage, when is it considered a sack to a minus rushing attempt?

Asked by Turk about 10 years ago

That's a statistical issue, which officials don't really deal with. My personal understanding is that sacks are rushing attempts.

679 Votes

Also on Jobstr...

Rap Promoter / Manager

Do venues you rent express concern about a higher risk of violence because it's a rap concert?

Casino Marketer

What's the most unethical thing you've seen casinos do to "part you from your dollars?"

Zookeeper and Animal Trainer

Why are some people so protective of endangered species?

If contact is made between a receiver and a defender past 5 yards downfield, and the contact is initiated by the offensive player is that an infraction? If not, does that give the offensive player motive to just run into the defender & draw a flag?

Asked by Reese about 10 years ago

You're talking NFL illegal contact beyond 5 yards. Offensive pass interference (OPI) rules begin with the snap. If a receiver makes contact - not just brushing past a defender or trying to get away - it is OPI. Defensive pass iterference begins once the ball is thriown.

678 Votes

A defensive back makes a diving Interception in the Opponents endzone and then gets to his feet and spikes the ball is this a fumble or a Touchback. The one Official was signaling touchback and blew his whistle. But the White Hat over ruled and gave t

Asked by Tim almost 10 years ago

In college or hs, the ball is dead when player hits ground so that is a touchback. In NFL, a player can get up and run. It would appear that we have a fumble.

678 Votes

So if one team commits two penalties and the other commits one on the same play. Neither is a personal foul penalty do they offset?

Asked by Evildeadted almost 10 years ago

yes

677 Votes

Showing 78 - 84

Show All

317 More Answers by Football Official

Last 7

9 10 11 12 13 14

...

Next 7 Answers

Football Official

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

In trying to run time off the clock at the end of a close game, can offensive player with ball stop short of the goal line and stand there waiting for the defense to try to get to him before he steps over the goal line? Or is that “Taunting”?

In a TX high school game, the kicker missed the ball when he was attempting to kick off. Kind of a "Charlie Brown" moment...lol. Anyway, the ref's acted like it didn't even happen and rekicked it. Shouldn't it have been an offside penalty?

If a snap goes over a punters head; the punter retrieves it @ the 1.5 yd line & tries to throw a pass. The defense deflects it and the ball lands in the endend zone, but bounces out-of-bounds.
What's the ruling?

When a QB is behind the line of scrimmage, when is it considered a sack to a minus rushing attempt?

Also on Jobstr...

If contact is made between a receiver and a defender past 5 yards downfield, and the contact is initiated by the offensive player is that an infraction? If not, does that give the offensive player motive to just run into the defender & draw a flag?

A defensive back makes a diving Interception in the Opponents endzone and then gets to his feet and spikes the ball is this a fumble or a Touchback. The one Official was signaling touchback and blew his whistle. But the White Hat over ruled and gave t

So if one team commits two penalties and the other commits one on the same play. Neither is a personal foul penalty do they offset?

Football Official

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

In trying to run time off the clock at the end of a close game, can offensive player with ball stop short of the goal line and stand there waiting for the defense to try to get to him before he steps over the goal line? Or is that “Taunting”?

In a TX high school game, the kicker missed the ball when he was attempting to kick off. Kind of a "Charlie Brown" moment...lol. Anyway, the ref's acted like it didn't even happen and rekicked it. Shouldn't it have been an offside penalty?

If a snap goes over a punters head; the punter retrieves it @ the 1.5 yd line & tries to throw a pass. The defense deflects it and the ball lands in the endend zone, but bounces out-of-bounds.What's the ruling?

When a QB is behind the line of scrimmage, when is it considered a sack to a minus rushing attempt?

Also on Jobstr...

If contact is made between a receiver and a defender past 5 yards downfield, and the contact is initiated by the offensive player is that an infraction? If not, does that give the offensive player motive to just run into the defender & draw a flag?

A defensive back makes a diving Interception in the Opponents endzone and then gets to his feet and spikes the ball is this a fumble or a Touchback. The one Official was signaling touchback and blew his whistle. But the White Hat over ruled and gave t

So if one team commits two penalties and the other commits one on the same play. Neither is a personal foul penalty do they offset?

Login

Forgot Your Password?

Register

If a snap goes over a punters head; the punter retrieves it @ the 1.5 yd line & tries to throw a pass. The defense deflects it and the ball lands in the endend zone, but bounces out-of-bounds.
What's the ruling?