Pass Grossly Off Target - DPI Question

[FrankNFHS]

After coaching on Friday, I was asked to call some youth football games that have adopted NFHS as its rulebook.

Scenario:

Pass play, tight end goes down the field about 6 yards and turns inside to get pass from QB. Tight end is only receiver on his side of the field.

Corner comes up and makes very slight contact with tight end while the ball was in flight.  Here's where I think I tanked and blew the call and want to make sure I benefit from lessons learned.  Ball was at least 20 feet over tight end's head and well towards the sideline (about 15 yards off line to the tight end).  So not only was the ball much too high, it was grossly off target.  There were no other receivers within 25 yards of the tight end.

I made a "no call" but want some feedback if this was more representative of DPI because in my mind I'm playing this over and over in my head and if the ball had been on target, I'm guessing it might have been a 50/50 proposition to throw the flag for DPI.

I remember reading somewhere that this is no uncatchable pass in NFHS but I want to be prepared for a repeat situation.

[Atlanta Blue]

While there is no "uncatchable" in FED, there is also a rule that says contact away from the ball should NOT be DPI.  A pass that was that far off means that this contact could well be considered away from the ball.

You said it was questionable anyway.  Don't make big calls in tiny situations.

[mbyron]

"Very slight contact" is almost never DPI, no matter where it occurs.

[FBUmp]

While there is no "uncatchable" in FED, there is also a rule that says contact away from the ball should be DPI.

No, there isn't.  The opposite is, in fact, true.

7-5-11
It is not forward-pass interference if:
Contact by B is obviously away from the direction of the pass.

[Atlanta Blue]

No, there isn't.  The opposite is, in fact, true.

7-5-11
It is not forward-pass interference if:
Contact by B is obviously away from the direction of the pass.

Yes, you are right, I forgot a very important "NOT".  Fixed the original post.  Thinking faster than typing.

And you post was my point, if it's "away from the direction of the pass", it's NOT DPI.  So if the pass is way off target, is the contact "away from the direction of the pass"?  How far away is away?

[FrankNFHS]

Thanks to all....I like the clarification about not DPI if contact by B is away from the direction of the ball.  That's one to keep handy in the old mental file!

[mbyron]

Thanks to all....I like the clarification about not DPI if contact by B is away from the direction of the ball.  That's one to keep handy in the old mental file!

Careful here: as usual the wording matters. The rule says "away from the direction of the pass."

The ball might head in another direction, for instance if it is deflected. If it's deflected by a player, of course, the PI restrictions will end because the pass has ended. But if it's deflected off an official, you could have a situation B contacts an A receiver and it is not DPI because the contact is away from the direction of the pass.

[Bob M.]

REPLY: Jerry Seeman always told his NFL officials, "Make Super-Bowl calls; don't make any Woolworth calls." Make it be there...make it stand out. Slight little bumps that don't provide an advantage or create a disadvantage for someone should be left alone.

[mbyron]

REPLY: Jerry Seeman always told his NFL officials, "Make Super-Bowl calls; don't make any Woolworth calls." Make it be there...make it stand out. Slight little bumps that don't provide an advantage or create a disadvantage for someone should be left alone.

Although I agree with the sentiment, the reference could stand a little updating. There hasn't been a Woolworth store in existence since 1997.

Also, 'super bowl' and 'woolworth' aren't exactly opposites. Oh well, so Jerry was a great official but no poet...

[Magician]

I remember when rule 7-5-11 came out the intent was the pass thrown to the right with the potential DPI being on the left (that was most of the examples).  In this case the pass was thrown in the same direction.  It just missed wildly.  DPI is still an advantage/disadvantage foul and there is an element of judgement similar to uncatchable.  Based on how this play was described, no call sounds like the correct call.

[HLinNC]

How about "call train wrecks, not fender benders"?  That's how it has been put to me before.

[Magician]

Call felonies not misdemeanors
Don't go shooting skinny rabbits
Don't trouble trouble

[mbyron]

Don't be a plumber.

[NWA_UMP]

Make sure Grandma can see it from the top row...