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514 Questions

Last Answer on January 23, 2021

Could you tell me if there was a time when the team trailing at halftime received the 2nd half kickoff...if so, could you tell me what years this rule was in the books?

Asked by sirtop1963!!! over 6 years ago

I am not aware of that. I tried to do some research but couldn't come up with anything.

Does the rulebook require cessation of play when the whistles begin blowing? Is there an explicit rulebook exception for when the ball is loose? What is the penalty for not stopping when the whistle blows, if in fact not stopping can be penalized?

Asked by James over 6 years ago

I can only imagine what happened that generated THIS question!

Lots here so one step at a time. The whistle blows, play is supposed to stop. In theory, the "play kills itself", meaning that even if a whistle didn't sound,if a player, for example, jumped on the pile, that is still a foul. "But I didn't hear a whistle!" says over-zealous player. You jumped on a pile of players!

You ask if there is an explicit rulebook exception for when the ball is loose; I'm guessing you mean what happens if the ball is loose - or not in possession, such as a pass in the air - and the whistle sounds. Yes, there is a rule for that. It is termed an "inadvertant whistle"; the official screwed up and, yes, I've done it. As have most officials, whether they admit to it or not. Depending on the result, different things happen. Too much to cover here.

Next, penalty for not stopping? Hmm, yes, but there's some judgmenf involved. Example A: player calls for a fair catch, whistle blows, he takes off. Technically, that is a delay of game. Careful throwing that one. The most obvious is Example B: Whistle blows and player continues to block or tackle. It could be a personal foul; not for not "stopping" but for the forceful action (contact) when it should be stopped.

430 Votes

I recently saw an Appalachian State game where App. St. went on a drive which took over 10 minutes (the final play of the drive started 10 minutes and 4 seconds after the initial play of the same drive. It made me wonder the following regarding the NFL overtime rule which states:

No more than one 10-minute period will follow a three-minute intermission.

Each team must possess, or have the opportunity to possess, the ball. The exception: if the team that gets the ball first scores a touchdown on the opening possession.

Sudden death play — where the game ends on any score (safety, field goal or touchdown) — continues until a winner is determined.

So, what happens if the team that receives the ball to start OT just runs out the clock, or kicks a FG as time expires in OT? In each case, both teams did not have the opportunity after no TD was scored on the initial ball possession.

Thanks,

Ben

Asked by Ben over 5 years ago

Hi Ben -Good question. I want to follow up with a friend who is in the NFL, but....

CORRECTION - I WAS WRONG!!

If a team drives the fieldctakingvupbsllvten minutes and then kicks field goal: gsne over. The FG wins it.

What is below is WRONG.

I don't think we have a winner. NFL Rule 16 states:ARTICLE 3. EXTRA PERIODFollowing an intermission of no more than three minutes after the end of the regular game, the extra period shall commence.Both teams must have the opportunity to possess the ball once during the extra period, unless the team that receives the opening kickoff scores a touchdown on its initial possession, in which case it is the winner, or if the team kicking off to start the overtime period scores a safety on the receiving team’s initial possession, in which case the team that kicked off is the winner. I

It seems that if a team tries a field goal, it would not matter - a touchdown was not scored and both teams have not had an opportunity to possess the ball.

429 Votes

I’ve been a HS football official for about 10 yrs now, I just started using reading glasses. I obviously don’t bring them to the field, but I am having issues seeing my score card and my watch!! Any suggestions

Asked by Dennis about 6 years ago

Happens to us all. I needed glasses for distance since I was 17. Used to wear glasses on field but it wasn't so bad so I stopped. In my later years my reading needs are worse...like you. I go know a fellow official who brings a pair of "cheaters " on the field. Keros them in his shirt pocket to write on his game card. I squint. Have you tried progressives, or bifocals? You can wear glasses on the field. Not sure I've helped. Hey thing? Be comfortable on the field.

427 Votes

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Is it illegal to fake a kneel for a "touchback" then run with it?

Asked by studentboigav about 6 years ago

Yes

427 Votes

In youth football.
Team A wins a playoff game with a score of 21-14.
4 days later, the team they defeated (Team B) discovers that Team A scored during an illegal trick play. Should that game be replayed or should the final stand?

Asked by AWright over 6 years ago

That isn't a "football" question. It's either a league action to decide what to do and/or an ethhcs question. Lots to review - not here, though.

426 Votes

What’s the difference between offside, encroachment, lined up in the neutral zone, and neutral zone infraction? I know they’re all five yard penalties so maybe it doesn’t matter, but I want to understand the game better.

Asked by TomN. over 6 years ago

These are all line if scrimmage fouls. In some cases your confusion may simply be the terminology the referee used in making the announcement.

Most of what you list are defensive fouls. If the offense lines up "in the neutral zone" the play never goes off, similar to a false start; often that's referred to as offside. If the defense lines up in the zone, that's the famous "free play " foul; the play goes off but it won't be adjudicated til thd play is over. It's also a "neutral zone infraction", similar to the defense jumping into the neutral zone before the snap. Aa s point of information, in college and NFL, defense offside/neutral zone/encroachment us a "live ball goul"; the play continues. In high school, the defense being offside shuts down the play.

422 Votes

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Football Official

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

Could you tell me if there was a time when the team trailing at halftime received the 2nd half kickoff...if so, could you tell me what years this rule was in the books?

Does the rulebook require cessation of play when the whistles begin blowing? Is there an explicit rulebook exception for when the ball is loose? What is the penalty for not stopping when the whistle blows, if in fact not stopping can be penalized?

I’ve been a HS football official for about 10 yrs now, I just started using reading glasses. I obviously don’t bring them to the field, but I am having issues seeing my score card and my watch!! Any suggestions

Also on Jobstr...

Is it illegal to fake a kneel for a "touchback" then run with it?

In youth football.
Team A wins a playoff game with a score of 21-14.
4 days later, the team they defeated (Team B) discovers that Team A scored during an illegal trick play. Should that game be replayed or should the final stand?

What’s the difference between offside, encroachment, lined up in the neutral zone, and neutral zone infraction? I know they’re all five yard penalties so maybe it doesn’t matter, but I want to understand the game better.

Football Official

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

Could you tell me if there was a time when the team trailing at halftime received the 2nd half kickoff...if so, could you tell me what years this rule was in the books?

Does the rulebook require cessation of play when the whistles begin blowing? Is there an explicit rulebook exception for when the ball is loose? What is the penalty for not stopping when the whistle blows, if in fact not stopping can be penalized?

I’ve been a HS football official for about 10 yrs now, I just started using reading glasses. I obviously don’t bring them to the field, but I am having issues seeing my score card and my watch!! Any suggestions

Also on Jobstr...

Is it illegal to fake a kneel for a "touchback" then run with it?

In youth football.Team A wins a playoff game with a score of 21-14. 4 days later, the team they defeated (Team B) discovers that Team A scored during an illegal trick play. Should that game be replayed or should the final stand?

What’s the difference between offside, encroachment, lined up in the neutral zone, and neutral zone infraction? I know they’re all five yard penalties so maybe it doesn’t matter, but I want to understand the game better.

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In youth football.
Team A wins a playoff game with a score of 21-14.
4 days later, the team they defeated (Team B) discovers that Team A scored during an illegal trick play. Should that game be replayed or should the final stand?