More loose ball-illegal bat-endzone stuff......

[Ralph Damren]

NFHS overtime rules : On the first play of overtime the following occurs : (1) A fumbles @ B's 8 ; (2) B illegally bats the loose ball back thru B's endzone. What are the options ? How would you explain them to the captain ?

[VALJ]

Assuming that the fumble has been grounded:  A can have the batting penalty enforced from the end of the run, getting to replay the down from the B's 4 yard line.

Alternatively: since B has forced the grounded loose ball into the end zone, A can choose to decline the penalty and accept the result of the play, which is a safety.  If B has not yet had their series in OT, B gets the ball on the 10 yard line.  Since the score was by safety, rather than by TD, A can not choose to have the foul enforced from the 10.


Now, what am I missing, since that seems way too easy to be the answer to one of Ralph's brain teasers??

[Ralph Damren]

Excellent job, VALJ, you nailed it. The challenge would be the captain's choice explanation. I never would want to put the kids in the position of making a bad choice and here probably the best choice is to take points off the board and the ball, 1st down @ B's 4. How would you guys explain the options to the captain??

[bama_stripes]

"Bubba, you can have 1st & goal at the four, or you can take 2 points & they get the ball.  Look at your coach & see what he wants you to do."

My wing on his sideline will have run up to the team box & given the same information to his head coach.

[Ralph Damren]

"Bubba, you can have 1st & goal at the four, or you can take 2 points & they get the ball.  Look at your coach & see what he wants you to do."

My wing on his sideline will have run up to the team box & given the same information to his head coach.

Good mechanic,'Bama Stripes, The captain has to make the choice without the benefit of talking face to face with his coach, but there's no foul for looking at his coach or for his coach signaling or yelling instructions. The idea of sending a wing to explain to the coach so he & his captain are on the same page , is a very good one.

[VALJ]

I'd hope that B had already had the ball in OT and hadn't scored, so I can tell Bubba "decline the penalty and you win the game."  Then Bubba can make some headway with the homecoming queen!