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514 Questions

Last Answer on January 23, 2021

Green Bay RB fumbles football. Atlanta DB recovers ball at own 1 yard line. Untouched, he rolls backwards into his own end zone. Ruled a touchback. Atlanta gets ball at their own 20. Is this correct call?

Asked by Jack Rothell about 8 years ago

He wasn't touched by an opponent until he was in EZ. It looked like as he was recovering, he rolled into the endzone where he was downed. I didn't think he had control/possession until the endzone. Yes, I agree that was the right call.

454 Votes

Can officials decide to change out during an ongoing game?

Asked by Washington over 7 years ago

I have no idea what that means. Sorry, can't help.

451 Votes

If a referee throws a flag for offsides on the defense and the "free" play results in a turn over. Is the referee allowed to pick up the flag and say it was not offsides and the interception counts? Or should this result in a replayed down?

Asked by Paula over 7 years ago

The defense had a problem. The offense will accept the penalty for offside and the down will be replayed. Tough luck.

450 Votes

Team A is on 4th and 10 and punts, Team B receives and while returning fumbles and team A recovers. Who would have the next set of downs?

Asked by Ron over 7 years ago

Sometimes you folks ask a question that makes me think. This one, though, is too easy. As with any time in the game, when one team fumbles and the other recovers, it belongs to the recovering team. Here, it's 1st and 10 for A.

449 Votes

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This is a question about the NFL. Is sack also counted as a tackle for loss? Meaning are they duplicate stat line or do they both show as a separate stat? I know tackles for loss are counted in the tackle stat but I'm not clear on sacks vs TFL. Thank

Asked by JB Steel almost 7 years ago

Can't help you. That isnt a part of the playing rules, which on-field officials address. That's a stat question.

448 Votes

If a member of the punting team touches the ball on the 2 yard line, and knocks it into the end zone where his teammate covers the ball, is it a touchback?

Asked by James Dean over 6 years ago

Yes. The axiom is "a kick is a kick is a kick". If K touches the ball, it is "illegal" or "first" touching, depending on the level (HS, NCAA). But the ball as you describe it is still considered a kick, so being downed in the endzone makes it a touchback.

444 Votes

If a ball is live after 10 yards on a kickoff, why is it the referees blow their whistles when the ball bounces in the end zone and does not go out of bounds? Shouldn't it still be live?

Asked by Patrick A. Lopez over 6 years ago

Good question. In high school, no kick can be run out of the endzone. In college a grounded kick (one that has touched the ground) in the endzone, is also dead. If a receiver catches the ball in the endzone in college, it is still alive and can be run out.

443 Votes

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Green Bay RB fumbles football. Atlanta DB recovers ball at own 1 yard line. Untouched, he rolls backwards into his own end zone. Ruled a touchback. Atlanta gets ball at their own 20. Is this correct call?

Can officials decide to change out during an ongoing game?

If a referee throws a flag for offsides on the defense and the "free" play results in a turn over. Is the referee allowed to pick up the flag and say it was not offsides and the interception counts? Or should this result in a replayed down?

Team A is on 4th and 10 and punts, Team B receives and while returning fumbles and team A recovers. Who would have the next set of downs?

Also on Jobstr...

This is a question about the NFL. Is sack also counted as a tackle for loss? Meaning are they duplicate stat line or do they both show as a separate stat? I know tackles for loss are counted in the tackle stat but I'm not clear on sacks vs TFL. Thank

If a member of the punting team touches the ball on the 2 yard line, and knocks it into the end zone where his teammate covers the ball, is it a touchback?

If a ball is live after 10 yards on a kickoff, why is it the referees blow their whistles when the ball bounces in the end zone and does not go out of bounds? Shouldn't it still be live?

Football Official

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

Green Bay RB fumbles football. Atlanta DB recovers ball at own 1 yard line. Untouched, he rolls backwards into his own end zone. Ruled a touchback. Atlanta gets ball at their own 20. Is this correct call?

Can officials decide to change out during an ongoing game?

If a referee throws a flag for offsides on the defense and the "free" play results in a turn over. Is the referee allowed to pick up the flag and say it was not offsides and the interception counts? Or should this result in a replayed down?

Team A is on 4th and 10 and punts, Team B receives and while returning fumbles and team A recovers. Who would have the next set of downs?

Also on Jobstr...

This is a question about the NFL. Is sack also counted as a tackle for loss? Meaning are they duplicate stat line or do they both show as a separate stat? I know tackles for loss are counted in the tackle stat but I'm not clear on sacks vs TFL. Thank

If a member of the punting team touches the ball on the 2 yard line, and knocks it into the end zone where his teammate covers the ball, is it a touchback?

If a ball is live after 10 yards on a kickoff, why is it the referees blow their whistles when the ball bounces in the end zone and does not go out of bounds? Shouldn't it still be live?

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