Rule question

DDcoach
Junior Member

Posts: 18

Rule question Oct 12, 2009 12:23:36 GMT

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Post by DDcoach on Oct 12, 2009 12:23:36 GMT

Hi Coaches,

Got a rules question actual play HS rules Varsity level.

Team A's running back breaks in to the open, ball is stripped and while try to recover the ball the back bats the ball to a lead blocker (5 yards ahead of back and both are past the LOS) who catches the ball and runs for a TD. Ball never touches the ground. Side judge throws a flag for forward lateral, however refs get together and wave off the flag saying it was a recovered fumble and allowed the TD.

My belief is for a ball to be fumbled it must touch the ground, so this should have been ruled a illegal lateral and brought back.

What do you think?

Thanks,
Steve

jrkelly
Senior Member

Posts: 820

Rule question Oct 13, 2009 6:56:50 GMT

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Post by jrkelly on Oct 13, 2009 6:56:50 GMT

I'm not positive, but I think it may be one of those dreaded "judgment calls" where the ref saw that the ball was not controlled by the player. I don't think it actually says that the ball has to hit the ground to be considered a fumble...only not in the ball-carrier's control--however I could be wrong. Strange play!

Ryan Kelly
Offensive Coordinator
Austin High School
Austin, MN

There is nothing that will show a man's true character like the 2 yard line.

greenough
Senior Member

Posts: 314

Rule question Oct 13, 2009 9:00:03 GMT

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Post by greenough on Oct 13, 2009 9:00:03 GMT

Batting Ball in Possession
ARTICLE 3. A ball in player possession may not be batted forward by a
player of that team.
PENALTY—15 yards [S31].

From NCAA rule book, getting a federation rulebook is a real hassle. I guess the difference is whether the ball was batted or just fumbled forward. I don't think you can advance a fumble that your team fumbled forward. if the ball was fumbled backward it would be a different story.

JFLCOACH
Member

Posts: 151

Rule question Oct 13, 2009 16:56:11 GMT

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Post by JFLCOACH on Oct 13, 2009 16:56:11 GMT

Ok there is a lot of room for interpretation here. If the lad simply lost control of the ball and, in the process of trying to recover it (catch it again) he bats the ball forward inadvertently, its a fumble. You cannot intentionally bat a ball forward to a teammate. Thanks Dave Casper!!!!

imho, the key here in INTENT.

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Post by DDcoach on Oct 12, 2009 12:23:36 GMT

Post by jrkelly on Oct 13, 2009 6:56:50 GMT

Post by greenough on Oct 13, 2009 9:00:03 GMT

Post by JFLCOACH on Oct 13, 2009 16:56:11 GMT

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