This is an article from Referee written by a highly respected offficial in the NE
By Jerry Faust
Players who step out of bounds present sticky problems for football officials. There are complex factors that influence the legality of that act.
Both codes state that a foul is not warranted unless the out-of-bounds player re-enters the field of play or end zone. In other words, it is not a foul, per se, to go out of bounds. Rather, in all but one situation, the foul occurs when, and at the spot where, he returns inbounds. An exception applies to NCAA pass receivers (see below). Keep in mind that an airborne player is considered inbounds even if he jumped from a spot out of bounds.
First, remember there are three ways in which a player can go out of bounds: intentionally, accidentally or due to being blocked by an opponent. If the player is blocked out of bounds, both codes agree there will not be a foul if he returns at the first opportunity or attempts to return immediately. Thus, a team A player who was blocked out of bounds and intentionally delays in returning has fouled when he eventually steps inbounds.
Deciding what constitutes a delay is one of those tough calls that requires officials to read the intentions of the player. How many steps did it take for the out-of-bounds player to recover from the contact? Once recovered, did he move directly toward inbounds territory? How many more steps does he take to get inbounds? Finally, the exceptions do not apply if a player goes out of bounds to avoid contact. (From this point, the term “out-of-bounds player” will be used to indicate a player who was out of bounds by his own accord and has returned to the field of play or end zone.)
In NFHS rules, no player may intentionally go out of bounds during any down. Interestingly, NCAA rules do not prohibit team B or team R players from intentionally going out of bounds at any time.
NFHS rules also forbid all members of team A or team K from accidentally being out of bounds unless there is a change of possession during the down. In those cases, team A or team K players are allowed to accidentally step out of bounds after team B or team R has gained possession of the ball. The key factor is determining when the team A or team K player steps out of bounds. If it is prior to the change of possession (e.g. before a scrimmage kick is caught or recovered), the team A or team K player fouls even if he waits and returns after team B or team R possesses the ball. There is no foul if team B or team R players accidentally step out of bounds. In all cases, the NFHS foul is illegal participation, occurs at the spot of reentry, and carries a 15-yard penalty.
NCAA rules forbid team K players from going out of bounds (intentionally or accidentally) on any kick down. Like NFHS, that applies to both free kicks and scrimmage kicks. But in contrast, the NCAA prohibition is in effect for the entire down. Those live-ball fouls carry a five-yard penalty enforced from the previous spot.
NCAA rules place a second burden on kicking team players who go out of bounds and then return to the field: Such players may not touch the ball, even if team K is eligible to recover a kick.
Receivers out of bounds. The rulebooks differ when it comes to eligible receivers stepping out of bounds. In NFHS, a receiver who goes out of bounds and returns is guilty of illegal participation whether or not he touches a pass. The foul carries a 15-yard penalty. If a team B player commits pass interference against such a receiver, offsetting fouls occur. Under NFHS rules, a player who is an eligible receiver at the start of the down remains eligible throughout the down.
In NCAA rules, a receiver has not fouled when he reenters the field. The foul occurs when he touches a forward pass that has not been touched by team B. The infraction is illegal touching, which is enforced as a loss of down only (no yardage walked off) at the previous spot. In effect, an eligible receiver who steps out of bounds loses his eligibility when he steps inbounds. However, unlike players who are ineligible due to their uniform number or position at the snap, such a player is not subject to an ineligible downfield penalty.
Mechanics. Which officials are most likely to deal with players out of bounds? Given their location next to the sideline, the linesman and line judge will have the majority of the calls. When pressed against the sideline, wingmen must watch the wideout closely as he gets by the defensive back. Does the receiver step on the sideline as a result of contact, to avoid contact, intentionally or accidentally? While a pass is in flight near the sideline, the flank official must observe players going out of bounds in addition to interference-related action. So, like catch or no-catch calls, the official must watch feet and hands simultaneously.
I recommend taking a position looking down the sideline while keeping a six- to seven-yard spacing between the official and the players. Getting too close will hinder the official’s ability to see both feet and hands. If possible, the official should come to a stop, keep the head steady and move only the eyes. Finally, don’t ignore a player accidentally kicking the pylon; it’s also out of bounds.
A beanbag is required to mark the location a player leaves the playing field. I recommend dropping the bag every time, whether his departure was intentional, accidental or due to contact. Although a flag is not warranted if the player was blocked out of bounds and returns immediately, the bag on the field indicates you saw the action.
Jerry Faust is a veteran referee from Quincy, Mass. This column originally appeared in the 3/00 issue of Referee. Rules information has not been updated.
