Post by theref on Feb 26, 2006 18:00:17 GMT
Fumbles
Rule - "There are no fumbles. The ball will be spotted where the ball left the ball carrier's hand(s). If the ball is fumbled during the snap, the ball will be placed at the line of scrimmage."
Clarification - Whilst there are no "fumbles" in flag football the term fumble is still used to describe a player who is deemed to be in possesion of the ball and then subsequently loses control of the ball and it either drops to the ground or touches another player. To avoid any further confusion the rule should perhaps say that fumbles cannot be recovered and are dead at the point of the fumble. The rule is there to promote safety and prevent players from diving around for loose balls and not to confuse everyone by claiming that a flag player losing control of a ball is any different from a kitted (or any other level of football). The difference is that the play for us is dead when the fumble occurs.
Application - Firstly, dont be afraid to refer to the situation as a "fumble". It is a fumble, its just that the flag rules mean this is a dead ball situation thats all. Next it's important to understand when you should blow the play dead and for that you'll need to know the difference between a player "bobbling" a ball and a "fumble". A "loss of control" or "bobble" becomes a fumble when a player who was in possesion of the ball loses control of it such that it either hits the ground or another player (from either team). If a player "bobbles" a ball but regains control that is not a fumble. The only exception to this rule is when a player deliberately pitches/tosses (backwards pass) the ball to a team mate. In these cases it is obviously not a fumble despite fulfilling the "touching another player" requirement as above. Whenever the "fumble" conditions are met the play should be blown dead and the ball spotted at the point where the "loss of control" started. Some example rulings -
A WR catches a ball, is deemed to be in possesion of the ball, then fumbles straight into the hands of a defender who runs it back into the endzone - Ruling is a completed catch for the WR and a fumble. Play blown dead and ball placed at spot of fumble. Possesion retained by the offense.
A WR is in the process of catching a ball but the defender takes the ball from his hands before he can secure the ball and returns it to the endzone - Ruling is a defensive interception return TD as the WR was never in possesion of the ball and therefore cannot fumble the ball.
QB attempts a pitch (backwards pass) to a RB and the RB fails to catch the ball and it hits the ground - Ruling is a fumble. Play blown dead and ball placed at the point where the QB attempted the pitch from.
A defender reads a pitch (backwards pass) from a QB to a WR and intercepts the ball and returns it to the endzone - Currently under discussion. Check the thread for more info
Rule - "There are no fumbles. The ball will be spotted where the ball left the ball carrier's hand(s). If the ball is fumbled during the snap, the ball will be placed at the line of scrimmage."
Clarification - Whilst there are no "fumbles" in flag football the term fumble is still used to describe a player who is deemed to be in possesion of the ball and then subsequently loses control of the ball and it either drops to the ground or touches another player. To avoid any further confusion the rule should perhaps say that fumbles cannot be recovered and are dead at the point of the fumble. The rule is there to promote safety and prevent players from diving around for loose balls and not to confuse everyone by claiming that a flag player losing control of a ball is any different from a kitted (or any other level of football). The difference is that the play for us is dead when the fumble occurs.
Application - Firstly, dont be afraid to refer to the situation as a "fumble". It is a fumble, its just that the flag rules mean this is a dead ball situation thats all. Next it's important to understand when you should blow the play dead and for that you'll need to know the difference between a player "bobbling" a ball and a "fumble". A "loss of control" or "bobble" becomes a fumble when a player who was in possesion of the ball loses control of it such that it either hits the ground or another player (from either team). If a player "bobbles" a ball but regains control that is not a fumble. The only exception to this rule is when a player deliberately pitches/tosses (backwards pass) the ball to a team mate. In these cases it is obviously not a fumble despite fulfilling the "touching another player" requirement as above. Whenever the "fumble" conditions are met the play should be blown dead and the ball spotted at the point where the "loss of control" started. Some example rulings -
A WR catches a ball, is deemed to be in possesion of the ball, then fumbles straight into the hands of a defender who runs it back into the endzone - Ruling is a completed catch for the WR and a fumble. Play blown dead and ball placed at spot of fumble. Possesion retained by the offense.
A WR is in the process of catching a ball but the defender takes the ball from his hands before he can secure the ball and returns it to the endzone - Ruling is a defensive interception return TD as the WR was never in possesion of the ball and therefore cannot fumble the ball.
QB attempts a pitch (backwards pass) to a RB and the RB fails to catch the ball and it hits the ground - Ruling is a fumble. Play blown dead and ball placed at the point where the QB attempted the pitch from.
A defender reads a pitch (backwards pass) from a QB to a WR and intercepts the ball and returns it to the endzone - Currently under discussion. Check the thread for more info