Football Official

Football Official

Zebra

Somewhere in, NJ

Male, 62

I've officiated football for over 30 years, now in my 26th on the college level. I've worked NCAA playoffs at the Division II and III level. In addition, I've coached at the scholastic level and have been an educator for over 35 years. I have no interest whatsoever in being an NFL official! Ever!

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513 Questions

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Last Answer on January 23, 2021

Best Rated

Does a college football coach have the option of declining a "running into the punter" penalty and simply accept the result of his team's punt?

Asked by LaVerne almost 10 years ago

Technically, you can decline any penalty. Running into is a five yard penalty. I've seen that often. If you don't get a first down with five yards and it was a great punt, flip the field and decline the penalty.

Why was the pass that was challenged in the Michigan/Rutgers game ruled incomplete

Asked by Bob about 10 years ago

Don't know.  From a "source", the replay people had no qualms about saying no catch once they saw the ball on the ground.  On the field, it was ruled differently by the two officials on that sideline.  It was "interesting".

Can multiple players wear the same number as long as they are not on the field at the same time and as long as they play within the jersey number allowed for that position. In other words can an offense have two #80 WRs that would rotate in and out

Asked by Bravovictor almost 11 years ago

You had a yes answer until you threw in that last line.  I'm going to deal with NCAA rules.  Rule 1-4-2-e reads: Two players playing the same position may not wear the same number during the game. [Italics added] The obvious reason is deception and unsportsmanlike activity.  You could, in theory, have a #80 playing WR and also have an 80 at defensive end.  To take it one step further, if you do have two 80's, for example, they cannot be in the gane at the same time.

Is the wrong ball play unsportsmanlike.

QB comes to line says that the ball is the wrong ball and center hands it to the QB and he starts to walk over to coach but then takes off down the field

Asked by Bchball about 10 years ago

I have to tell you, the play situations that come up here are so strange.  I just don't see this stuff.  Anyway, if it's first down - the team is going under center fior the first time - you change it.  If the QB says somnething and the officials respond.  But if the center picks up the ball to show the ref, you have a foul on the offense.

College rules: Legally snapping the ball (a snap) is handing or passing it
backward from its position on the ground with a quick and continuous motion
of the hand or hands, the ball actually leaving the hand or hands in this motion
(Rule 4-1-4).
b. The snap starts when the ball is moved legally and ends when the ball leaves
the snapper’s hands (A.R. 7-1-5-I-II).

In addition:

Rule 7, ARTICLE 3. Each of the following is a dead-ball foul. Officials should
blow the whistle and not allow the play to continue. After the ball is ready for
play and before it is snapped:
a. Snapper. The snapper:

2. May not lift the ball, move it beyond the neutral zone or simulate the
start of a play

From my perspective, the play you describe should not happen.  If it does, it's a foul. And if all else fails, use Rule 9-2-3-d: An obviously unfair act not specifically covered by the rules occurs during the game since the action is intended to deceive and abuse the rules of the game.

We want to try a drop kick as an extra point.
What is it worth? 1 or 2 points
Do you have to declare that you are going for 1 or 2?
Any other things to consider?

Asked by Drew Akin about 9 years ago

A kick for an extra point is worth 1 point. At least in HS and college. Declaring isn't necessary. For example, if a team lines up for a PAT kick, they can still fake it and run for 2.

In a youth football game, a ball carrier who has crossed the line of scrimmage tosses the ball in the air to avoid a tackle, and then catches the ball once past the defender. Can he do this?

Asked by Todd Glasenapp over 10 years ago

Most youth leagues use the rules that the state's high schools use.  For most starws, that is the National Federation.  If the ball carrier crosses the line, he cannot legallythrow the ball forward.  The ball carrier can throw a backwards pass. If that occurs, there is nothing that I can find that would prevent the runner from catching his own backward pass. But, as you describe it, and I'm readingf into it, it sounds as if the ball is thrown ahead of the runner to get past the defender.  That is an illegal pass.

If any team kick off the ball from center and after the first touch when the ball is being passed to another player, if the opponent player receive the ball before reaching to that player and play with is it okay?

Asked by Mohammad Asraful Islam about 9 years ago

I'm sorry, but I do not understand what you're asking.