Ask a Football Official anything

514 Questions

Last Answer on January 23, 2021

Is it illegal for a player to touch a referee in between plays?

Asked by Joe DellaVecchio over 10 years ago

That depends. I've had a player talk to me and put a hand on my arm as you might to someone in conversation. That's communicating. I've see players say "Nice call" and tap an official's shoulder or back. That's ok. Intentionally contacting an official - pushing, shoving, bumping - that will draw a flag.

996 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 over 10 years ago

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

996 Votes

Very often, on screen passes to wide receivers (bubble screens) other WRs block opposing defensive backs while the ball is in the air. I thought that was offensive pass interference. Why is it so seldom called?

Asked by RJ over 11 years ago

If a pass is caught behind the line of scrimmage, there can't be OPI. So a WR blocking ahead of that screen is legal.

995 Votes

Do they officiate differently in college than they do in nfl

Asked by Ryan over 11 years ago

That's too broad a question - can you narrow it or clarify it?

992 Votes

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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 over 10 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.

992 Votes

Watching the Steelers game. During a punt holding was called on the receiving team, and 10 yard penalty was assessed from the end of the run, how would it be assessed if it was returned for a touchdown? Or even a long return?

Asked by Cksteffy@dejazzd.com almost 11 years ago

NFL rules are different but generally, if the foul is behind the "basic spot" (the end of the run) it's marked off from the spot of the foul.

988 Votes

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 almost 11 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.

988 Votes

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Football Official

Ask me anything!

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Is it illegal for a player to touch a referee in between plays?

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?

Very often, on screen passes to wide receivers (bubble screens) other WRs block opposing defensive backs while the ball is in the air. I thought that was offensive pass interference. Why is it so seldom called?

Do they officiate differently in college than they do in nfl

Also on Jobstr...

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.

Watching the Steelers game. During a punt holding was called on the receiving team, and 10 yard penalty was assessed from the end of the run, how would it be assessed if it was returned for a touchdown? Or even a long return?

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?

Football Official

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

Is it illegal for a player to touch a referee in between plays?

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?

Very often, on screen passes to wide receivers (bubble screens) other WRs block opposing defensive backs while the ball is in the air. I thought that was offensive pass interference. Why is it so seldom called?

Do they officiate differently in college than they do in nfl

Also on Jobstr...

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.

Watching the Steelers game. During a punt holding was called on the receiving team, and 10 yard penalty was assessed from the end of the run, how would it be assessed if it was returned for a touchdown? Or even a long return?

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?

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