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Football Officiating => Texas Topics => Topic started by: ElvisLives on April 07, 2026, 04:20:29 PM
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See if you agree with my answers to these questions (which should be familiar to all of you good TASO folks; but, I did tweak some of the language slightly to be more comprehendible, and better follow question convention).
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1. 4/Goal @ B-2. QB A10 turns to hand the ball to A22. The exchange is muffed at the B-4. A22 picks up the loose ball at the B-5 and runs into the end zone.
Ruling:
B, 1/10, B-5, snap (25). The ball was fumbled by A10. Since this was 4th down, a recovery by any other Team A player causes the ball to become dead. If the spot of the recovery is behind the spot of the fumble, the ball is dead at that spot. Since Team A failed to advance to/beyond the line-to-gain, Team B is awarded a scrimmage series at that spot. Since Team B will next snap the ball, the play clock is set to 25-seconds, and will start on the referee’s signal, and the game clock will start on the snap.
2. 4/10 @ A-25. Punter A7 kicks the ball. After the kick, A82 holds B38. The punt is fair caught at the B-30.
Ruling:
A, 4/20, A-15, snap (25), OR, B, 1/10, B-40, snap (25) (at the option of Team B). B38’s holding foul occurred before the end of the kick, thus, the 10-yard penalty for that foul, if accepted, may be enforced at the previous spot with the down repeated, OR, Team B may have the penalty enforced at the spot where the dead-ball belongs to them, and begin a scrimmage series where the penalty leaves the ball. The most likely result is that Team B will take the latter option. In either case, due to the legal kick down, the play clock will be set to 25-seconds and will start on the referee’s signal, and the game clock will start on the snap.
3. 4/12 @ A-35. At the snap, B51 is lined up in the neutral zone. A12’s punt is caught by B9 at the B-25 and returned to the B-35. During the kick, B8 holds A32 at the 50.
Ruling:
A, 4/7, A-40, snap (25), OR, B, 1/10, B-15, snap (25). Team B committed two live-ball fouls during the same down, so Team A will have the option to accept the penalty for either one of those fouls. B51’s Offside foul occurred before the kick, thus, the 5-yard penalty for that foul, if accepted, can only be penalized at the Previous Spot, with the down repeated (the penalty for B8’s Holding foul would be declined).
B8’s Holding foul occurred during the kick, and, thus, qualifies for Post-scrimmage Kick enforcement. The 10-yard penalty for that foul, if accepted, is penalized per “3&1” enforcement at the Basic Spot, which is the End of the Kick (B-25). The penalty is, then, enforced from the Basic Spot, taking the ball to the B-15, where Team B will next snap the ball. (The penalty for B51’s Offside foul would be declined). The most likely result is that Team A will take the latter option.
In either case, due to the legal kick down, the play clock will be set to 25-seconds and will start on the referee’s signal, and the game clock will start on the snap.
4. 3/3 @ B-23, 1:00 (2). The clock is running, and A is down by 3. QB A11, who is under center, barks the word “move!” B91 jumps into the neutral zone and contacts A56.
Ruling:
A, 3/8, B-28, 0:50 (2), ready. A11’s dead-ball (pre-snap) Delay-of-Game foul for Disconcerting Signals is penalized at the succeeding spot, with the 5-yard penalty taking the ball to the B-28, where 3rd down will continue. Because the foul occurred after the 2-minute time-out in the second period, Team B can (and will) accept a 10-second subtraction from the game clock. The game clock (assuming it was stopped at 1:00) will be set to 0:50, and the play clock will be set to 25-seconds, and, both, the play clock and the game clock, will start on the referee’s signal.
Note: Team A can avoid the 10-second subtraction by being granted a charged team time-out (if they have not exhausted their times-out).
5. 4/6 @ B-14. Team A makes a legal field goal attempt. B13 jumps to block A2’s kick and touches it at the B-13. The ball touches the ground at the B-16 and rolls to the B20 where A11 recovers the ball and runs it into B’s end zone.
Ruling:
B, 1/10, B-20, snap (25). B13’s blocking (touching) of the legally kicked ball is ignored, because the blocking did not occur more than 3-yards beyond the neutral zone. Thus, this is simply an unsuccessful legal field goal attempt (from regular scrimmage) that has crossed the neutral zone, and the ball was untouched by Team B beyond the neutral zone when it was recovered by A11. A11’s recovery was an illegal recovery; thus, the ball became dead immediately when possessed by A11. Being an unsuccessful field goal made from a (snap) point between the B-20 and B’s goal line, Team B is awarded the ball at the B-20, where they will next snap the ball for a scrimmage series. The play clock is set to 25-seconds, and will start on the referee’s signal. The game clock will next start on the snap.
Corrected Ruling (4-8-26):
A, try, B-3, no clock (25).
B13’s blocking (touching) of the legally kicked ball is ignored, because the blocking did not occur more than 3-yards beyond the neutral zone. Thus, the kicked ball never officially crossed the neutral zone, and, therefore, could be recovered and advanced by either team. A11’s recovery was legal, and his advance across B’s goal line results in a touchdown, with a try to follow.
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5. 4/6 @ B-14. Team A makes a legal field goal attempt. B13 jumps to block A2’s kick and touches it at the B-13. The ball touches the ground at the B-16 and rolls to the B20 where A11 recovers the ball and runs it into B’s end zone.
Ruling:
B, 1/10, B-20, snap (25). B13’s blocking (touching) of the legally kicked ball is ignored, because the blocking did not occur more than 3-yards beyond the neutral zone. Thus, this is simply an unsuccessful legal field goal attempt (from regular scrimmage) that has crossed the neutral zone, and the ball was untouched by Team B beyond the neutral zone when it was recovered by A11. A11’s recovery was an illegal recovery; thus, the ball became dead immediately when possessed by A11. Being an unsuccessful field goal made from a (snap) point between the B-20 and B’s goal line, Team B is awarded the ball at the B-20, where they will next snap the ball for a scrimmage series. The play clock is set to 25-seconds, and will start on the referee’s signal. The game clock will next start on the snap.
Maybe i am thinking about this incorrectly, but shouldn't number 5 be a TD Team A? This is a scrimmage kick that never crossed the neutral zone. It is elligible to be recovered and advanced by any member of either team? What am i missing?
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Maybe i am thinking about this incorrectly, but shouldn't number 5 be a TD Team A? This is a scrimmage kick that never crossed the neutral zone. It is elligible to be recovered and advanced by any member of either team? What am i missing?
I am totally embarrassed. Of course. Touchdown. Yes, this is a scrimmage kick that never (officially) crossed the neutral zone, and was recovered behind the neutral zone by a Team A player. The ball remains alive and in play, and may be advanced by either team. So, A11’s advance across B’s goal line would result in a touchdown. Ruling: A, try, B-3, no clock (25).
I simply envisioned this as being a kick that crossed the NZ. I thought they were looking for an illegal recovery, so the unsuccessful FG attempt would give B the ball at the B-20. No. They were looking for the fact that B13’s blocking is ignored as ‘touching,’ so the ball never officially crossed the NZ, and could be recovered and advanced by either team.
I gotta do a better job of reading the questions.
Thank you!
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After talking with Elvis, lets modify the question to test how well we all understand this rule...
1 (modified). 4/Goal @ B-2. QB A10 turns to hand the ball to A22. The exchange is muffed at the B-4. A22 catches the loose ball at the B-5 and runs into the end zone. Ruling?
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After talking with Elvis, lets modify the question to test how well we all understand this rule...
1 (modified). 4/Goal @ B-2. QB A10 turns to hand the ball to A22. The exchange is muffed at the B-4. A22 catches the loose ball at the B-5 and runs into the end zone. Ruling?
Still B 1/10 B-5.
And how about this?
4/Goal @ B-2. QB A10 muffs the long snap at B-8. A22 recovers the loose ball at the B-7 and runs into the end zone. Ruling?
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Still B 1/10 B-5.
After talking with Elvis, lets modify the question to test how well we all understand this rule...
1 (modified). 4/Goal @ B-2. QB A10 turns to hand the ball to A22. The exchange is muffed at the B-4. A22 catches the loose ball at the B-5 and runs into the end zone. Ruling?
This is probably a very inelegant answer, but here's mine:
Result of the play a turnover on downs, B 1/10 @B-5. Even though A22 'caught' the loose ball (as opposed to 'recovered') it is not considered a backwards pass, but by rule it is still a live ball in flight.
Relevant rules:
2-2-1: A pass, kick or fumble that has not yet touched the ground is a live ball in flight.
2-2-3-b: All players are eligible to touch, catch or recover a fumble (Exceptions: Rules 7-2-2-a-Exc.2 (4th down fumble rule) and 8-3-2-d-5 (a try play)) or a backward pass.
2-4-3-a-1: To catch a ball means that a player secures firm control with the hand(s) or arm(s) of a live ball in flight
before the ball touches the ground, and
2-11-1: To fumble the ball is to lose player possession by any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing. The status of the ball is a fumble.
2-11-2: To muff the ball is to touch the ball in an unsuccessful attempt to catch or recover it. Muffing the ball does not change its status.
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This is probably a very inelegant answer, but here's mine:
Result of the play a turnover on downs, B 1/10 @B-5. Even though A22 'caught' the loose ball (as opposed to 'recovered') it is not considered a backwards pass, but by rule it is still a live ball in flight.
Relevant rules:
2-2-1: A pass, kick or fumble that has not yet touched the ground is a live ball in flight.
2-2-3-b: All players are eligible to touch, catch or recover a fumble (Exceptions: Rules 7-2-2-a-Exc.2 (4th down fumble rule) and 8-3-2-d-5 (a try play)) or a backward pass.
2-4-3-a-1: To catch a ball means that a player secures firm control with the hand(s) or arm(s) of a live ball in flight
before the ball touches the ground, and
2-11-1: To fumble the ball is to lose player possession by any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing. The status of the ball is a fumble.
2-11-2: To muff the ball is to touch the ball in an unsuccessful attempt to catch or recover it. Muffing the ball does not change its status.
Bobby, you are not wrong, but the most relevant rule is, in fact, is 7-2-2-a-2 - the fourth down fumble rule. Check it, and come back with the pertinent language. It is quite clear.
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Still B 1/10 B-5.
And how about this?
4/Goal @ B-2. QB A10 muffs the long snap at B-8. A22 recovers the loose ball at the B-7 and runs into the end zone. Ruling?
I KNOW! I KNOW! (We need a raised hand emoji! :) ). But, I’ll let someone else respond.
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Bobby, you are not wrong, but the most relevant rule is, in fact, is 7-2-2-a-2 - the fourth down fumble rule. Check it, and come back with the pertinent language. It is quite clear.
7-2-2-a-2: On fourth down before a change of team possession, when a Team A fumble is caught or recovered by a Team A player other than the fumbler, the ball is dead. If the catch or recovery is beyond the spot of the fumble, the ball is returned to the spot of the fumble. If the catch or recovery is behind the spot of the fumble, the ball remains at the spot of the catch or recovery.
This is why it is at the 5, instead of the 2.
Like I said, I knew it was inelegant, I just couldn't find the words to be concise about it. Although I did pause when answering, as the catch portion made me wonder if that deemed it a backwards pass... which is why I posted the other references, to confirm that in fact it is not.
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7-2-2-a-2: On fourth down before a change of team possession, when a Team A fumble is caught or recovered by a Team A player other than the fumbler, the ball is dead. If the catch or recovery is beyond the spot of the fumble, the ball is returned to the spot of the fumble. If the catch or recovery is behind the spot of the fumble, the ball remains at the spot of the catch or recovery.
This is why it is at the 5, instead of the 2.
Like I said, I knew it was inelegant, I just couldn't find the words to be concise about it. Although I did pause when answering, as the catch portion made me wonder if that deemed it a backwards pass... which is why I posted the other references, to confirm that in fact it is not.
Absolutely, and almost all correct. But, I was trying to point out that "when a Team A fumble is caught or recovered by a Team A player other than the fumbler," that invokes the 4th down fumble rule. The ball, loose from a fumble, doesn't have to hit the ground to be considered a fumble. As you referenced, a loose ball "in flight" from a fumble, is still a fumble, and, thus, qualifies for the 4th down fumble rule, even if the ball doesn't travel but inches from the fumbler's hands before being caught.
When I said 'almost all correct,' I am wondering why you said, "...at the 5, instead of the 2." How/why would we put it at the 2, otherwise?
Good discussions. I like these.
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Absolutely, and almost all correct. But, I was trying to point out that "when a Team A fumble is caught or recovered by a Team A player other than the fumbler," that invokes the 4th down fumble rule. The ball, loose from a fumble, doesn't have to hit the ground to be considered a fumble. As you referenced, a loose ball "in flight" from a fumble, is still a fumble, and, thus, qualifies for the 4th down fumble rule, even if the ball doesn't travel but inches from the fumbler's hands before being caught.
When I said 'almost all correct,' I am wondering why you said, "...at the 5, instead of the 2." How/why would we put it at the 2, otherwise?
Good discussions. I like these.
If it had been recovered by A ahead of the 2 (LOS), it would be brought back to there.
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If it had been recovered by A ahead of the 2 (LOS), it would be brought back to there.
Hmm. Support that, please.
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You're right, I was conflating LOS and fumble spot in my mind.
If recovered by another Team A player ahead of the spot of the fumble, it would be returned to the spot of the fumble, not the LOS.
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You're right, I was conflating LOS and fumble spot in my mind.
If recovered by another Team A player ahead of the spot of the fumble, it would be returned to the spot of the fumble, not the LOS.
There ya go. ;)
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Still B 1/10 B-5.
And how about this?
4/Goal @ B-2. QB A10 muffs the long snap at B-8. A22 recovers the loose ball at the B-7 and runs into the end zone. Ruling?
HEY! SOMEBODY! ANYBODY! Answer this!
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Now THAT would be a touchdown for Team A, since the snap is considered a backwards pass, not a fumble.
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Now THAT would be a touchdown for Team A, since the snap is considered a backwards pass, not a fumble.
Provided he ran into B end zone and not his own. :sTiR:
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Now THAT would be a touchdown for Team A, since the snap is considered a backwards pass, not a fumble.
Exactly. I've seen very competent referees get this wrong (and the crew not bailing the R out), so do be prepared.