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Football Officiating => National Federation Discussion => Topic started by: refjeff on August 08, 2017, 08:43:36 AM

Title: Legal pass?
Post by: refjeff on August 08, 2017, 08:43:36 AM
QB rolls to his right and seeing open field turns upfield and crosses the LOS.  He then retreats so that both feet are in or behind the neutral zone and throws a pass to a crossing receiver breaking free.  We couldn't find anything in the Rule Book or Case Book that makes it illegal, but it sure seems odd.  So, legal pass?
Title: Re: Legal pass?
Post by: FLAHL on August 08, 2017, 08:52:08 AM
QB rolls to his right and seeing open field turns upfield and crosses the LOS.  He then retreats so that both feet are in or behind the neutral zone and throws a pass to a crossing receiver breaking free.  We couldn't find anything in the Rule Book or Case Book that makes it illegal, but it sure seems odd.  So, legal pass?

It does seem odd, but perfectly legal in high school as it meets all requirements for a legal forward pass.
Title: Re: Legal pass?
Post by: bbeagle on August 08, 2017, 09:15:02 AM
Perfectly legal. In NCAA and NFL, the line of scrimmage sort of disintegrates once someone crosses it. Not so in High School.

I've always wondered why this trick play isn't used more in High School... maybe coaches don't know it:

QB hands off to RB, who runs around corner to right side. EVERYONE is pursuing RB - even those on the left side of the field now go towards the play. NOBODY is on the QB anymore, and NOBODY is on the left side.... so, have the RB throw back to the QB, who then throws to a wide-open receiver on the left side. And if too many people are around the RB, just have him run, don't pitch back. I bet, after practicing this a lot, it would be a very effective weapon.

Title: Re: Legal pass?
Post by: Rulesman on August 08, 2017, 07:12:36 PM
Where is the QB in relation to the LOS when he throws the pass?
Title: Re: Legal pass?
Post by: refjeff on August 08, 2017, 08:56:30 PM
Where is the QB in relation to the LOS when he throws the pass?
"both feet are in or behind the neutral zone "
Title: Re: Legal pass?
Post by: animalspooker on August 17, 2017, 03:23:47 PM
In regard to the RB throwing the ball back to the QB.  This would be even more effective if he crossed the LOS and then threw back to the QB who was behind the LOS.  His throw then would be a legal forward pass......correct, since both feet were behind the LOS?
Title: Re: Legal pass?
Post by: VA Official on August 17, 2017, 05:11:57 PM
In regard to the RB throwing the ball back to the QB.  This would be even more effective if he crossed the LOS and then threw back to the QB who was behind the LOS.  His throw then would be a legal forward pass......correct, since both feet were behind the LOS?

I believe that's what bbeagle was actually trying to say in his post. But yes it's legal.