Complete.....or Not

[TXMike]

Also good play to discuss the rules regarding recovery of a loose ball by a player who may be out of bounds

[yt=425,350]2S70YQNTsY8[/yt]

[Welpe]

I have an incomplete pass.

If it were a catch/fumble, I'd have A's ball out of bounds as B recovered while touching out of bounds.

Incidently, I had a similar recovery last week after an incomplete backward pass.  There was a scramble at the sideline and the Team B player was laying on top of the Team A player.  The B player put his foot on the ground out of bounds and then recovered the ball.  Giving the ball back to A was not a popular call, especially since Team B was on my sideline.  

[JugglingReferee]

Incomplete pass.

Nobody recovered the loose ball, since there was no loose ball.  

If I had to rule on who last had possession before the play was over, it is Team A.  Team B did not gain possession before his right leg was OB.

[Etref]

 

Had this been a backward pass it would be A ball at the spot, B not inbounds when recovery made.

[T.C. Welton]

Incomplete.  He did not maintain control throughout the completetion of the catch coming to the ground.  He is hit immediately after coming to the ground jarring the ball loose.  I have always heard that this is always incomplete.  Also importantly, this is close, but is clearly forward...when it doubt it is forward and incomplete.

On a catch/fumble, or backwards pass...this is a tough tough call in real time.  Indeed the player who recovered the ball did touch his toe out of bounds before recovering.  However, the focus will be on watching the ball and accordingly the upper part of the the body.  I doubt there are many officials out there who would see this toe touch in real time.

This game apparently had at least a couple great learning point plays!

Always good stuff Mike, keep 'em coming!