Inadvertent Whistle, Momentum Exception

[GA Umpire]

Why does the momentum exception not apply over the inadvertent whistle in the case play below?  If not for the inadvertent whistle, team R would put the ball in play on the two, as in 8.5.2 Situation A.

Is this a misprint or misinterpretation?

 4.2.3 SITUATION D:

A1 throws a forward pass from his own 40-yard line. B1 intercepts on his 2-yard line and circles back into his end zone. While B1 is in the end zone, the covering official inadvertently sounds his whistle.

RULING: Since B1 is in possession, B has the option of accepting the results of the play at the time of the whistle or asking for a replay of the down. Since the result of the play would be a safety, B would normally chose to replay the down. (4-2-3c; 8-5-2a)

[TxSkyBolt]

It reads like he voluntarily went into his own EZ vice his momentum taking him there.


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[GA Umpire]

It reads like he voluntarily went into his own EZ vice his momentum taking him there.


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You may be correct.  I missed the part that states he circled back.

Thanks, Bolt.

[HLinNC]

See 8-5-2.

[Ralph Damren]

See 8-5-2.

IF YE CIRCLES BACK INTO HIS OWN END ZONE AFTER YE GAINS POSSESSION IN THE FIELD OF PLAY YE SHOULD BE PREPARED TO FACE THE CHANCE OF........

SAFETY

[bossman72]

You may be correct.  I missed the part that states he circled back.

Thanks, Bolt.

Yep.  Had it been momentum I believe we should give the ball to B at the B2.

[theunofficialofficial]

Yep.  Had it been momentum I believe we should give the ball to B at the B2.

And taken the whistle away from the official 

[GA Umpire]

Yep.  Had it been momentum I believe we should give the ball to B at the B2.

Thank you all for your feedback on this issue.  Below is the Question from the GHSA study guide that prompted the question.


Concerning inadvertent whistles which statement is FALSE:

A. R24 muffs a punt beyond the neutral zone. The Field Judge
inadvertently sounds his whistle during the loose ball. The down
must be replayed.

B. A12 fumbles on third and four yards to go at B10 yard line. The
ball was snapped at the B20 yard line. During the fumble there is
an inadvertent whistle. Team A may take possession at the B10
yard line, first and ten, as an option.

C. A12 throws a pass towards B’s end zone. B46 makes a running
interception at the B2 yard line and momentum takes him into the
end zone. The Side Judge misreads the play and while B46 is in the
end zone blows an inadvertent whistle. Unless Team B elects to
replay the down this is a safety.

D. There is an inadvertent whistle while a legal forward pass is in
flight that ultimately is incomplete. This down must be replayed
and the clock will start on the snap due to the incomplete pass.

The correct answer given is "D".  My question is why is "C" not false also.

[JKinGA29]

Thank you all for your feedback on this issue.  Below is the Question from the GHSA study guide that prompted the question.

I read this question on the study guide today and I also believe that C and D are correct answers based on the question given. It appears that Dr. Testwriter [Actual name redacted] changed the wording of the case play which then would change the ruling. If his momentum takes him into the end zone and the ball is declared dead there in his possession (by the IW) then B should have the ball at their 2.

My question is why is "C" not false also.

The answer to that would be that the questions seemingly aren't reviewed/proofread prior to distribution. Not too much of a surprise if you've been working in GA for awhile.   

[GA Umpire]

The answer to that would be that the questions seemingly aren't reviewed/proofread prior to distribution. Not too much of a surprise if you've been working in GA for awhile.   

True, and I have. 
I wanted another opinion, just in case I missed something.

[GAHSUMPIRE]

The answer to that would be that the questions seemingly aren't reviewed/proofread prior to distribution. Not too much of a surprise if you've been working in GA for awhile.   

 

[Ralph Damren]

...JUST ANOTHER REASON THAT AB SHOULD BE APPOINTED "OFFICIAL MR. TESTER"IN THE PEACH TREE STATE!!!!!!

[SouthGARef]

I've been told that Dr. Testwriter has proclaimed that "C" is true, based on a play "verbatim from the Reddings guide". Not having a Reddings guide, I can't confirm.

Regardless of what the Redding's guide says, this play clearly meets all of the criteria of 8-5-2EXC IMHO.

[Curious]

I agree with SouthGARef that the answer "C" is false because the team in possession at the time of the IW is eligible to next snap the ball at their 2 yd line (momentum is in play).  Therefore a safety would not be applicable making the this answer false.  I've still been unable to find the "verbatim support" for an answer of "true" in Reddings yet.

As for answer "D" CORRETLY being false, I believe 3-4-2 and 3-4-4 cover this as the clock stopped because of an IW; and, according to the Redding's Guide  , "whenever the clock stops due to an errant toot and the down is replayed, the clock starts on the RFP" (pg 184).   

So, IMHO, BOTH answers are FALSE

[Atlanta Blue]

I agree with SouthGARef that the answer "C" is false because the team in possession at the time of the IW is eligible to next snap the ball at their 2 yd line (momentum is in play).  Therefore a safety would not be applicable making the this answer false.  I've still been unable to find the "verbatim support" for an answer of "true" in Reddings yet.

As for answer "D" CORRETLY being false, I believe 3-4-2 and 3-4-4 cover this as the clock stopped because of an IW; and, according to the Redding's Guide  , "whenever the clock stops due to an errant toot and the down is replayed, the clock starts on the RFP" (pg 184).   

So, IMHO, BOTH answers are FALSE

D is false for a whole other reason.  It says the clock will start because of the incomplete pass.  There was no incomplete pass.  The whole phrase about the pass ultimately being incomplete is a red herring.  The IW killed the play before the pass was complete or incomplete, the pass was dead.

And yes, the rule says an IW will always cause the next play to start on the RFP.  But I believe there is an exception to that rule, and this isn't it.

Anyone want to guess what that exception should be? 

[SouthGARef]

And yes, the rule says an IW will always cause the next play to start on the RFP.  But I believe there is an exception to that rule, and this isn't it.

Anyone want to guess what that exception should be?

Here's a scenario I was discussing with a friend last week:

K punts, R commits what would normally be a PSK foul while punt is in air. Inadvertent whistle. Acceptance of the foul now gives K a first down.

Normally the clock starts on the ready for play if there's an inadvertent whistle. But this is a play where a team is awarded a new series after a legal kick. So 3-5-3 forces the clock to start on the snap.

[Atlanta Blue]

Good one, but not even the one I was considering. 

Free kick (kickoff). Ball travels 10 yards, hits the ground, scramble for the loose ball.  IW before there is a recovery.  I don't think you are going to start the clock on the RFP on the rekick.

[bama_stripes]

Here's a scenario I was discussing with a friend last week:

K punts, R commits what would normally be a PSK foul while punt is in air. Inadvertent whistle. Acceptance of the foul now gives K a first down.

Normally the clock starts on the ready for play if there's an inadvertent whistle. But this is a play where a team is awarded a new series after a legal kick. So 3-5-3 forces the clock to start on the snap.

That's because, for clock purposes, the IW never happened.

[bama_stripes]

Good one, but not even the one I was considering. 

Free kick (kickoff). Ball travels 10 yards, hits the ground, scramble for the loose ball.  IW before there is a recovery.  I don't think you are going to start the clock on the RFP on the rekick.

Because the clock doesn't start on a free kick like it does on a snap.