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514 Questions

Last Answer on January 23, 2021

does NCAA rule 9.3.2.c interlocking or encircling blocking interference apply to plays from scrimmage? Was it put in in response to the old 'flying wedge' plays?

Asked by Thad over 10 years ago

More and more people are more and more concerned about injuries in fooball. The recent rule changes - at all levels - reflects that. The kickoff is the ultimate collision. Line up 11 guys on each side and give them a running start at each other. Yes, the flying wedge was incredibly dangerous and recent changes on kickoffs - even preventing players from holding hands in a line - are intended to prevent injury.

678 Votes

my team has the ball on the 4 yard going in to score We need 3.5 yards for a first down and 4 yards for a td. It is 4 th down and the defense gets an encroachment call what should happen. What down should it be

Asked by jared over 9 years ago

Ball can't be moved more than half the distance so.....

4th and 1 1/2 from the 2

676 Votes

Refs throw flags for a "hit on a defenseless receiver" after the catch is made, the receiver turns his head and takes several steps. Why no flag for Emmanuel Sanders when he lays out for an incompletion and gets creamed without seeing it coming?

Asked by Adam about 9 years ago

I can't answer that - I did not see it. Sorry

676 Votes

When a running back uses a stiff arm to the facemask...Shouldn't it be a penalty?? I've notice that linemen get flagged for hands to the face quite often so what would the difference be between that and a stiff arm to the facemask?

Asked by Scott over 10 years ago

A RB stiff arming usually is pushing away the defender. It is not the upward stretching/straining motion that you're talking about with OLs. If a RB were to grab the facemask and twist or hold onto it, then you have a foul.

676 Votes

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In High School if you have a fake field goal or extra point if the snap is to the holder and his knee is touching the ground can he get up and run or throw the ball or us he down where the snap was caught?

Asked by Brian over 9 years ago

The holder may come up and become a passer. He can also rise up to get a high snap and return to the ground to be the holder - that would not be a downing of the runner.

675 Votes

A blocker is not allowed to put his hands on the opponents face mask, so why can a running use a stiff arm into the face Masks? This seems inconsistent.

Asked by Ace57 about 9 years ago

The runner can't grab and twist. He can push off the facemask. Hands to the facemask usually involves pushing up under the mask, putting pressure on the opponent's neck and head. It's a judgment call.

675 Votes

In last weeks FL LSU game, the kick holder throws a pass from a 'kneeling' position. Legal or not? His knee was down.

Asked by Henry over 9 years ago

As I answered in another question about this play....Legal. If he went up to catch a high snap, he can still return to hold the snap. He could also throw as you describe. If he stands (for no other reason than he wants to) and then returns to the ground, he is down. Dead ball.

675 Votes

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Football Official

Ask me anything!

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does NCAA rule 9.3.2.c interlocking or encircling blocking interference apply to plays from scrimmage? Was it put in in response to the old 'flying wedge' plays?

my team has the ball on the 4 yard going in to score We need 3.5 yards for a first down and 4 yards for a td. It is 4 th down and the defense gets an encroachment call what should happen. What down should it be

Refs throw flags for a "hit on a defenseless receiver" after the catch is made, the receiver turns his head and takes several steps. Why no flag for Emmanuel Sanders when he lays out for an incompletion and gets creamed without seeing it coming?

When a running back uses a stiff arm to the facemask...Shouldn't it be a penalty?? I've notice that linemen get flagged for hands to the face quite often so what would the difference be between that and a stiff arm to the facemask?

Also on Jobstr...

In High School if you have a fake field goal or extra point if the snap is to the holder and his knee is touching the ground can he get up and run or throw the ball or us he down where the snap was caught?

A blocker is not allowed to put his hands on the opponents face mask, so why can a running use a stiff arm into the face Masks? This seems inconsistent.

In last weeks FL LSU game, the kick holder throws a pass from a 'kneeling' position. Legal or not? His knee was down.

Football Official

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

does NCAA rule 9.3.2.c interlocking or encircling blocking interference apply to plays from scrimmage? Was it put in in response to the old 'flying wedge' plays?

my team has the ball on the 4 yard going in to score We need 3.5 yards for a first down and 4 yards for a td. It is 4 th down and the defense gets an encroachment call what should happen. What down should it be

Refs throw flags for a "hit on a defenseless receiver" after the catch is made, the receiver turns his head and takes several steps. Why no flag for Emmanuel Sanders when he lays out for an incompletion and gets creamed without seeing it coming?

When a running back uses a stiff arm to the facemask...Shouldn't it be a penalty?? I've notice that linemen get flagged for hands to the face quite often so what would the difference be between that and a stiff arm to the facemask?

Also on Jobstr...

In High School if you have a fake field goal or extra point if the snap is to the holder and his knee is touching the ground can he get up and run or throw the ball or us he down where the snap was caught?

A blocker is not allowed to put his hands on the opponents face mask, so why can a running use a stiff arm into the face Masks? This seems inconsistent.

In last weeks FL LSU game, the kick holder throws a pass from a 'kneeling' position. Legal or not? His knee was down.

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