Facemask Foul - Penalty Enforcement

[NVFOA_Ump]

3rd and 5 at the 50 yard line.  A is in shotgun formation with the QB about 7 yards off the line.  At the snap defensive back B27 is coming on a blitz and is unblocked reaching the scrambling QB at the A-35 but in an attempt to tackle him grabs his facemask, twists it, and starts pulling him toward the ground.  What is the basic spot and result of each of these scenarios:

1.  QB is pulled to the ground and the ball is ruled dead at the A34.
2.  As he is going to the ground QB gets a screen pass off to A81 on the wing and the pass falls incomplete.
3.  As he is going to the ground QB gets a screen pass off to A81 on the wing and the pass is caught by A81 as he goes to the ground at the A40.
4.  As he is going to the ground QB gets a screen pass off to A81 on the wing and the pass is caught by A81 and he advances the ball to the B-40.
5.  As he is going to the ground QB gets a backward pass off to A25 who is immediately tackled at the A32.

[Ump33]

My comments are in red

3rd and 5 at the 50 yard line.  A is in shotgun formation with the QB about 7 yards off the line.  At the snap defensive back B27 is coming on a blitz and is unblocked reaching the scrambling QB at the A-35 but in an attempt to tackle him grabs his facemask, twists it, and starts pulling him toward the ground.  What is the basic spot and result of each of these scenarios:

1.  QB is pulled to the ground and the ball is ruled dead at the A34.  -  Running play = 15 yards from the end of the run. Replay 3/6/a-49.   With the new timing rules, this might be a Snap 25
2.  As he is going to the ground QB gets a screen pass off to A81 on the wing and the pass falls incomplete. - RTP = 15 yards from the previous spot auto first down.   With the new timing rules, this might be a Snap 25
3.  As he is going to the ground QB gets a screen pass off to A81 on the wing and the pass is caught by A81 as he goes to the ground at the A40. - RTP = 15 yards from the previous spot auto first down because the dead ball spot was behind the LOS.   With the new timing rules, this might be a Snap 25
4.  As he is going to the ground QB gets a screen pass off to A81 on the wing and the pass is caught by A81 and he advances the ball to the B-40. - RTP = 15 yards from the B-40 and auto first down.   With the new timing rules, this might be a Snap 25
5.  As he is going to the ground QB gets a backward pass off to A25 who is immediately tackled at the A32. - Loose Ball Play = 15 yards from the previous spot.  Since it was a backwards pass, it is not RTP.   With the new timing rules, this might be a Snap 25

[AlUpstateNY]

My comments are in red
5.  As he is going to the ground QB gets a backward pass off to A25 who is immediately tackled at the A32. - Loose Ball Play = 15 yards from the previous spot.  Since it was a backwards pass, it is not RTP.   With the new timing rules, this might be a Snap 25

.

Excellent point.  NFHS defines 9-4-4 "Roughing the PASSER", and NFHS 2-32-11 defines "A PASSER is a player who throws a legal FORWARD pass.

[BIG UMP]

I agree but I also believe based on Tennessee's use of the 40/25 play clock last year that all administrative stops are 25 second clock.

[Magician]

Definitely confirm these would be 25-second play clock. The 40-second play clock is for when you go from one scrimmage play to another with no administrative stops (first downs not included).

[Ralph Damren]

Excellent topics, NVFOA Ump, important things to remember on these plays :

(1) Basic spot is end of run ,even behind LOS, for these fouls;
(2) if a forward/backward pass or fumble occurred, the basic spot is previous spot;
(3) the foul could be considered roughing the passer IF a forward pass- this would carry AFD & EOR if completed and beyond LOS;

COMMENT - from a grumpy ole' ump (baseball) who is having another game postponed with 6" of snow : I have been a proponent of having previous spot enforcement for B fouls when EOR occurs behind the LOS. That runs into the roadblock of : "Only if A fouls behind LOS are previous spot fouls." I oppose that (refer to rant on next topic).

  (5-man crew).

[Morningrise]

What is meant by "Snap 25" above? Yes, the play clock would be 25 anytime a flag flies, but wouldn't the game clock start on the ready, not the snap, in situations 1, 3, 4, and 5?