Friday Brain Teaser

[ElvisLives]

4/5, B-45, 6:00 (3), running.  Team A will apparently punt.  A19 catches the direct snap, but instead of kicking, throws a legal forward pass to A80.  A80 is able to break away and is clear of all B players by at least 10 yards as he approaches B's goal line.  At the B-3, he taunts Team B by reaching back and pointing the ball at Team B players.  As his lead leg is crossing the goal line, but the ball, still being pointed back at Team B players, is at the B-1 when A80 loses control and possession of the ball, which falls to the ground at the B-1, then bounces into the end zone, where teammate A40 falls on the ball.  (Note: The S is in great position at the goal line extended, correctly drops a spot marker (bean bag) at the B-1, processes the play, and signals time out momentarily after A40 recovers the ball.)

Ruling (including play clock and game clock status):

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[Legacy Zebra]

1st and goal from the B-18. PC 25, GC on RFP.

The basic spot for the UNS is the end of the run, which is the spot of the fumble in this case, the B-1. Since the foul occurred behind the basic spot by the team in possession, it is enforced from the spot of the foul, the B-3. Because Team A fumbled on 4th down before a change of team possession, the ball is dead when A40 recovers it. Because the ball is beyond the spot of the fumble and is not a touchdown, so the game clock is on the RFP rather than the snap. If this same play had happened on any down other than 4th, the GC would be on the snap because the result of the play would be a TD. Regardless of what down it is, the play clock is at 25 because if the penalty administration.

[ElvisLives]

1st and goal from the B-18. PC 25, GC on RFP.

The basic spot for the UNS is the end of the run, which is the spot of the fumble in this case, the B-1. Since the foul occurred behind the basic spot by the team in possession, it is enforced from the spot of the foul, the B-3. Because Team A fumbled on 4th down before a change of team possession, the ball is dead when A40 recovers it. Because the ball is beyond the spot of the fumble and is not a touchdown, so the game clock is on the RFP rather than the snap. If this same play had happened on any down other than 4th, the GC would be on the snap because the result of the play would be a TD. Regardless of what down it is, the play clock is at 25 because if the penalty administration.

Exactly.

Now, let's change it a bit.  Similar play, but without the foul.

4/5, B-45, 6:00 (3), running.  Team A will apparently punt.  A19 catches the direct snap, but instead of kicking, throws a legal forward pass to A80.  A80 is able to break away and is clear of all B players by at least 10 yards as he approaches B's goal line.  As his lead leg is crossing the goal line, A80 "hot dogs" (legal, but stupid) and drops the ball - he thinks after he scored, but, in fact, he loses control and possession of the ball at the B-1/2.  The ball falls to the ground at the B-1/2, then bounces into the end zone, where teammate A40 falls on the ball.  (Note: The S is in great position at the goal line extended, correctly drops a spot marker (bean bag) at the B-1, processes the play, and signals time out momentarily after A40 recovers the ball.)

Ruling (including play clock and game clock status):

[ilyazhito]

A 1/G from the 1/2 yard line, play clock at 40, game clock on the ready-for-play signal because of the 1st down inbounds.

[ElvisLives]

A 1/G from the 1/2 yard line, play clock at 40, game clock on the ready-for-play signal because of the 1st down inbounds.

Yes, sir.  But how many play clock operators will get this right?  Not an everyday situation.

Also, a quick announcement by the R for the forward fumble being returned to the spot of the fumble is in order, all while the play clock is running (unless Team A is very astute and and wants to run a quick play; in that case, forego the announcement).

Everybody have fun.

Robert

[Kalle]

Yes, sir.  But how many play clock operators will get this right?  Not an everyday situation.

I think this illustrates a good rule of thumb for us who don't regularily work the play clock: if not absolutely sure, start the 40s count when the ball becomes dead. It is easier to correct this to 25 at the signal than vice versa.

[ElvisLives]

I think this illustrates a good rule of thumb for us who don't regularily work the play clock: if not absolutely sure, start the 40s count when the ball becomes dead. It is easier to correct this to 25 at the signal than vice versa.

Exactly.  Thanks, Kalle.

[Clear Lake ref]

Shouldn’t the first one have been 1/10 from the 18?

[Legacy Zebra]

Yes. That was a mistake. My brain said 1st and 10, but my fingers said first and goal.

[ElvisLives]

Yes. That was a mistake. My brain said 1st and 10, but my fingers said first and goal.

Overlooked that, too.  But that is not an error that would occur on the field.

Robert