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Football Officiating => General Discussion => Topic started by: Harry on September 06, 2010, 05:33:03 PM

Title: Is punching forward now an accepted mechanic?
Post by: Harry on September 06, 2010, 05:33:03 PM
I've seen it twice this weekend in FBS games.  The covering wing official punched a pass forward.  Is this now accepted?  I've been told not to do this in the past and I never really understood why.  It's a positive change.  I don't remember the first time I saw it, but the second was by the L in the Navy-Maryland game.
Title: Re: Is punching forward now an accepted mechanic?
Post by: east louis on September 08, 2010, 08:14:02 AM
punch backward for bkwrd pass (fumble)--if it's forward,our assoc had this topic,and forward punch of pass isnt necessary
Title: Re: Is punching forward now an accepted mechanic?
Post by: TxBJ on September 08, 2010, 09:28:48 AM
Might have been punching it as beyond the line rather than forward/backward.
Title: Re: Is punching forward now an accepted mechanic?
Post by: Dommer1 on September 08, 2010, 10:46:37 AM
punch backward for bkwrd pass (fumble)--if it's forward,our assoc had this topic,and forward punch of pass isnt necessary

Punching backwards for a fumble sounds like a pretty bad idea...
Title: Re: Is punching forward now an accepted mechanic?
Post by: Andrew McCarthy on September 08, 2010, 09:00:31 PM
So on a forward pass caught behind the line does the L punch both ways??
Title: Re: Is punching forward now an accepted mechanic?
Post by: cougar729 on September 09, 2010, 11:34:54 PM
Not to sound too critical, but what is the reason for punching it forward if its caught?

If its forward bedhind the line and he catches it, play on, if its dropped wipe it off
Title: Re: Is punching forward now an accepted mechanic?
Post by: Andrew McCarthy on September 10, 2010, 09:04:56 AM
One reason would be if this was supposed to be a backward pass that accidentally went forward and the wideout then launched a (second) forward pass downfield.
Title: Re: Is punching forward now an accepted mechanic?
Post by: LarryW60 on September 10, 2010, 01:38:46 PM
One reason would be if this was supposed to be a backward pass that accidentally went forward and the wideout then launched a (second) forward pass downfield.
I would presume the official who determined the first pass was forward would drop the flag for the second forward pass in this situation.  No need to be sending signals to the rest of the crew - and I CERTAINLY hope it's not being done to signal to the player.
Title: Re: Is punching forward now an accepted mechanic?
Post by: Andrew McCarthy on September 10, 2010, 02:30:24 PM
I would presume the official who determined the first pass was forward would drop the flag for the second forward pass in this situation.  No need to be sending signals to the rest of the crew - and I CERTAINLY hope it's not being done to signal to the player.
yep- or the fact that he didn't punch back was an indication that it wasn't backward.  Unless he punched back because it was caught behind the line.  You bring up a good point- would we be better off if we didn't signal at all??