Intentional Grounding

[mantle]

On a six man crew, who is responsible for determining if intentional grounding has occurred? What are the proper mechanics for this call?

[JKinGA29]

It's the Referee's call all the way, but he will often look for assistance from the HL or LJ to confirm whether or not a receiver was in the area.  We usually discuss in pregame how we will handle that situation.

[HLinNC]

Its the WH's call at any level, with any number of officials.  The crew may give info to the R concerning the whereabouts of the eligible receivers but that's an R call all the way.

What do you mean about "proper mechanics".  If the R believes the passer intentionally threw the ball to an unoccupied area by an eligible receiver to save time or yardage, its IG.

[zhntr]

IMHO, it is the WH's "flag", but it is a crew "call".

Last season, in a chippy, competitve game, I had the QB roll out being hotly pursued by two B players. As WH, my eyes were 100% on the QB and the action after the pass was thrown. Once I cleared that, I looked downfield in the direction I thought the pass went, saw no B players in the area, and looked to LJ for help only to see him chasing the ball out of bounds. I had no idea where the ball went exactly or if there were B players in the immediate area at the time of the pass, no one was giving me any help (we either point to the player(s) in the area or shake the head for no one in area), so no flag was thrown. Watched the video, and we missed.