heel-toe rule

[ree]

 NCAA football. There seem to be a lot of opinions regarding how to determine if a pass is complete/incomplete when a player comes down near the sideline during a completed pass. As I understand it if the player is going away from the field of play, as a minimum, all he has to do ( at least with the foot ) is get one toe down and drag it across the out of bounds marker while still controlling the ball for it to be a completed pass. If the player is facing the field and catches the ball with one toe in bounds, but during the process his heel comes down on the out of bounds marker it is an incomplete pass. Most people seem to think that if the player is facing the field and catches the ball with one toe inbounds it is immediately a completed pass regardless of where the rest of the foot touches the ground. Is my understanding correct, and if so is that the way the refs call it? I've read a lot of posts where refs say the pass is complete regardless where the rest of the foot touches the ground. Is there a link to a good video showing how the play should be called in accordance with the rules and the "official" examples section of the rule book?

[clearwall]

What you're describing is an incomplete pass. The foot is still continuing in one motion which is OOB. If he comes down with the toe and then lifts it without the heel touching OOB, it would be a catch provided he completes it as he goes to the ground.

The rule states(2-4-3): "If one FOOT.." (not toe) "...lands IB and the receiver has poss and firm control of the ball, it is a catch...even though a SUBSEQUENT step or fall takes the rec OOB."

Heel is part of the foot, if it comes down OOB, player is OOB. Also, 2-4-3-f says that "When in question, the catch...is not completed." 

[mccormicw]

There are at least two other threads on this subject.  They are quite informative but I don't think there was ever much of a consensus.

http://www.refstripes.com/forum/index.php?topic=7128.0


http://www.refstripes.com/forum/index.php?topic=5287.0

[clearwall]

I was a CB, anytime I can get back and those cheating WR, Im gonna take my chance.