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Football Officiating => Texas Topics => Topic started by: ElvisLives on November 04, 2026, 04:31:33 PM
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This is from a UIL 1A (6-player) game yesterday:
Try, B-3, 3:00 (4), A= a lot, B=very little. Team A takes a formation to, ostensibly, attempt to score a (1-point) touchdown, with A12 in position to receive a hand-to-hand snap. Following the successful snap, A12 handed the ball to A44, who then appeared to fumble the ball, which fell to the ground, then deflected off of A44’s leg, causing the ball to travel into B’s end zone. A44 was able to trail the ball into the end zone where he fell on the ball, and recovered it. The crew (four officials) ruled that the 4th down fumble rule applied, thus, the ball was returned to the spot of the fumble, canceling the apparent touchdown, for a ruling of: No score, A, kickoff, A-30, free kick timing (25).
Team A’s coach (respectfully) protested the ruling, claiming that the ball was not successfully handed, and that the ball was actually fumbled by A12, making the Try Fumble Rule NOT applicable, per UIL Exception 8. The crew could not 100% positively confirm that the handed ball was possessed, then fumbled, by A44, or if it was never successfully handed to A44.
The Referee was able to explain to the coach that, regardless, there was no score, because even if the ball was not successfully handed, then there had been no successful “exchange,” and A44’s recovery of the ball beyond the neutral zone was an illegal advance, and, by rule, the ball was returned to the previous spot, with loss of down, thus, no score and the try was over.
He didn’t like it, but the game proceeded.
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So A44 fumbled and recovered? Thats a touchdown. If the initial handing was unsuccessful, I agree that there is no score because there was no exchange or touching by Team B prior to crossing the neutral zone. But if A44 possessed the ball then fumbled he is allowed to recover that fumble and advance and/or score.
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Well, if it was A44’s fumble - oops. They only won by 47 points, instead of 48.
But, of course you are correct. I will remind the crew of the details of the 4th down /Try fumble rule.
Thanks.