Momentum Rule

[SBEII]

Interception at His own 3 yardline so momentum rule in effect. If he fumbles it before vrossing the goal line, does that take the mo.entum rule out of play? Say ball bounces out of bounds at his own 10 yardline? Still spot it at the 3 where he took possession and had momentum rule take effect?

[bbeagle]

There is no 'momentum rule' if the player never crosses the goal line. If he intercepted on the 3, then fumbled on the 1, where it went out of bounds at the 10, it would be 1st and 10 at the 10 to start the drive.

If the player intercepted at the 3, stumbled into the end zone, the 'momentum rule' is in effect. If he then lost the ball inside the end zone and the ball went into the field of play, the 'momentum rule' no longer applies. He would get the ball where it went out of bounds. 1st and 10 at the 10 to start the drive.

[SBEII]

Thanks. Makes sense.

On an unrelated note. The following happened in real life....no joking.

10 seconds left in the game. 4th and 15 from their opponents 30 yard line. Offense behind 14-13.

QB scrambles and throws long down the sideline. Pass goes over WR head and defensive corner catches it over his shoulder, in full stride just like it is intended for him.

Now the fun started....cornerback never breaks stride. Continues into endzone and through the endzone right out the back end. As whitehat, I look up as he is leaving the end zone saying to myself....OMG. As I jog towards the end zone, offensive coach is already celebrating and yelling SAFETY, giving the signal. I make I contact, give him the hold up signal, and say we are going to discuss momentum. Huddle with line judge and back judge who were both within 5 yards of the interception. One said the 4, the other said the 5. We invoked momentum rule. 3 seconds on the clock. Intercepting team took a knee and the game was over.

Here is what we did wrong......we spotted the ball at the 20 instead of the spot of the interception. Thats on me.

Hurried from field. Received a letter from losing coach wanting explanation.  Gave him our process and explained momentum rule. He replied very politely and was very gracious.

Then he left a P.S....It said.....i agree with everything you said except, the interception took place at the 6!

True Story. Unreal circumstances at the end where a Safety call would change the outcome of the game.

[VALJ]

Casebook play 8.5.2.E covers this exact play, with the twist that the ball ends up in the EZ, rather than OOB at the 10. In the casebook play, it's a safety, since momentum only applied when the ball is carried into B/R's end zone.

[AlUpstateNY]

Casebook play 8.5.2.E covers this exact play, with the twist that the ball ends up in the EZ, rather than OOB at the 10. In the casebook play, it's a safety, since momentum only applied when the ball is carried into B/R's end zone.

What a difference "a yard makes".  Interception, completed on the 6, safety.  Interception completed "between the 5yl and the goal line" (8-5-1) celebration.

Odds are the downfield covering officials had a better angle, and view, than a coach, inside his team box.

[prab]

Odds are the downfield covering officials had a better angle, and view, than a coach, inside his team box.

Have to disagree with you here Al.  Experience has shown that the only person who ever has a better angle, and view, than a coach, is the play by play announcer.  Additionally, the play by play announcer usually knows any applicable rule better than any one else at the game, including the officials.  For instance, how many HS officials are really up on the uncatchable pass rule, or the outside the box rule?  (Granted, big ole Bubba's father in the topmost row of the bleachers may also have a pretty good view.)

[CalhounLJ]

I have long been a fierce advocate of giving the announcer a striped shirt and a whistle and let him call the game from the booth, much like the chair official at a tennis match. It would save money and ensure an accurately officiated contest.


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[KDJBBBJ]

It was stated that he got a letter from the coach so that was most likely after the game and they had a chance to look at it on film so at that time he could slow it down and probably had the best view other than in real time.  To be that close in real time is good work and we see NFL and college officials overturned all the time in those types of situations with replay.  A bean bag down on the 5 or 4 would have helped also. Are we not supposed to bean bag momentum for that reason?
 

[AlUpstateNY]

It was stated that he got a letter from the coach so that was most likely after the game and they had a chance to look at it on film so at that time he could slow it down and probably had the best view other than in real time.  To be that close in real time is good work and we see NFL and college officials overturned all the time in those types of situations with replay.  A bean bag down on the 5 or 4 would have helped also. Are we not supposed to bean bag momentum for that reason?

"DROPPING" a bean bag, at the spot you've observed action creating your decision to activate the "Momentum Exception" is both a proper and helpful informational mechanic.  Hopefully the bag proves to land at exactly the spot intended, and remains there despite continuing play action, which may, or may not, prove to be consistent with what is subsequently "shown on film").

Although I regret referencing a comment made by H. Clinton, "At this point, what difference does it make", as thankfully, and logically for multiple good reasons, NFHS 1-1-9 continues to advise, "The use of replay or television monitoring equipment by the game officials in making any decision relating to the game is prohibited", and has no bearing on Interscholastic football.

[Ralph Damren]

Agree with Yankee Al that a dropped beanbag helps sell the call AND is necessary to mark the point of possession. Remember, guys, that a loose ball that is being juggled by the opponent until he reaches the EZ negates the mo' and may (will if it was a kick) result in a TB.

PS : Al, back to 9 (an inside joke only understood by Sox/Yanks fans)