TD or not?

[NCAABackJudge]

Pass by A to back of EZ from B24 yard line.  A81 extends out, clearly secures ball by bringing it to body, clearly gets one foot in end zone.  As he is falling out of back of end zone ball comes loose simultaneously with A81 hitting ground.  Ball was 100% secure until contact with ground.

TD or incomplete...

NFHS?
NCAA?

[TXMike]

NCAA

"b. If a player goes to the ground in the act of catching a pass (with or without
contact by an opponent) he must maintain complete and continuous control of
the ball throughout the process of contacting the ground, whether in the field
of play or in the end zone. This is also required for a player attempting to
make a catch at the sideline and going to the ground out of bounds. If he loses
control of the ball which then touches the ground before he regains control, it
is not a catch. If he regains control inbounds prior to the ball touching the
ground it is a catch."

[Kalle]

I think this is one difference between NCAA and NF. In NCAA this is clearly an incomplete pass (TXMike gave the rule reference), but in NF this is a TD, right? (I'm not an NF official, though)

[VALJ]

I think this is one difference between NCAA and NF. In NCAA this is clearly an incomplete pass (TXMike gave the rule reference), but in NF this is a TD, right? (I'm not an NF official, though)

That's what we NFHS officials get the big bucks for - making a call like this. 

2-4-1: A catch is the act of establishing player possession of a live ball which is in flight, and first contacting the ground inbounds while maintaining possession of the ball or having the forward progress of the player in possession stopped while the opponent is carrying the player who is in possession and inbounds.

While we don't have a "continuous control all the way to the ground" clause, if the ball comes out before he hits the ground, he likely didn't establish possession.

[bossman72]

I think this is one difference between NCAA and NF. In NCAA this is clearly an incomplete pass (TXMike gave the rule reference), but in NF this is a TD, right? (I'm not an NF official, though)

By philosophy, this should be incomplete in NFHS

[ValleyOfMegiddo]

This is an  pass in both codes.

[AlUpstateNY]

By philosophy, this should be incomplete in NFHS

What "philosophy" are you referring to? NFHS 2-4-1 was quoted accurately above, and in the sample play it appears A81 satisfied ALL the requirements of a "catch", as defined by NFHS Rules, prior to any secondary contact with the ground.

[bossman72]

What "philosophy" are you referring to? NFHS 2-4-1 was quoted accurately above, and in the sample play it appears A81 satisfied ALL the requirements of a "catch", as defined by NFHS Rules, prior to any secondary contact with the ground.

As defined by NFHS rules, any grasp of the jersey is holding too.  But we don't call it that way, do we?

I'm not going to get into it with you over this.  You call what you want.  Have fun selling touchdown with the ball on the ground...

[AlUpstateNY]

As defined by NFHS rules, any grasp of the jersey is holding too.  But we don't call it that way, do we?

I'm not going to get into it with you over this.  You call what you want.  Have fun selling touchdown with the ball on the ground...

The way this play is described (clearly secures ball by bringing it to body, clearly gets one foot in end zone) I'm comfortable signalling TD BEFORE the receiver "went to the ground", because doing so is AFTER THE FACT.  If you have some related philosophy that contradicts that, I'd appreciate hearing it.  Otherwise applying your philosophy might better be held for your working NCAA or NFL games.