fumble or down

[copedaddy]

Since we do not have replay in high school football, what is the "when in question" for a fumble? I have always heard player is down when in question. No cheap turnovers. What say ye?

[mishatx]

Down.

[TXMike]

I am pretty sure we have that in the official philosophies in Mechanics Manual and it says when in question it is a fumble.  Video reviews over the years revealed more often than not, when in question it really was a fumble so that is what we are going with.

[JasonTX]

I am pretty sure we have that in the official philosophies in Mechanics Manual and it says when in question it is a fumble.  Video reviews over the years revealed more often than not, when in question it really was a fumble so that is what we are going with.

Agreed.  It even rhymes.  When it doubt, the ball is out.

[mishatx]

I vaguely remember a college philosophy document a few years ago suggesting to call fumble if there was replay, but to call down if there was not.  The idea being that replay can correct if it is not a fumble, but was called a fumble, but may not (at the time, could not) correct if it was a fumble but was called as down.

Calling as down seems consistent with the when in question rules - incomplete pass and not fumble, forward pass and not backward beyond NZ

The most recent TASO manual I have at hand is 2012, and it doesn't seem to mention either way regarding this.

[JasonTX]

I vaguely remember a college philosophy document a few years ago suggesting to call fumble if there was replay, but to call down if there was not.  The idea being that replay can correct if it is not a fumble, but was called a fumble, but may not (at the time, could not) correct if it was a fumble but was called as down.

Calling as down seems consistent with the when in question rules - incomplete pass and not fumble, forward pass and not backward beyond NZ

The most recent TASO manual I have at hand is 2012, and it doesn't seem to mention either way regarding this.

Page 79 of the 2015 Manual:  When in question, the runner fumbled the ball and was not down.

[goodgrr]

I vaguely remember a college philosophy document a few years ago suggesting to call fumble if there was replay, but to call down if there was not.  The idea being that replay can correct if it is not a fumble, but was called a fumble, but may not (at the time, could not) correct if it was a fumble but was called as down.

Calling as down seems consistent with the when in question rules - incomplete pass and not fumble, forward pass and not backward beyond NZ

That sounds like a sensible approach to me.  No cheap turnovers.

[mishatx]

Page 79 of the 2015 Manual:  When in question, the runner fumbled the ball and was not down.

Not being a TASO member this year, I don't have that manual. (the 2012 manual doesn't even *have* a p 79!).  I'll hunt one down to prep for my eventual return.

Is that new language for this year?