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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514 Questions

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Last Answer on January 23, 2021

Best Rated

If two players are running down the field and one punches the other it is a personal foul. Why is it not a personal foul when one player has the football and another player tries to punch the football out missing and punching the arm or ribs?

Asked by Jeff over 8 years ago

What is the intent of the act? While officials can't always determine intent, in the case you cite, if a player is trying to strip the ball and something else happens, you look at intent. Throwing a punch is quite different.

I have watched both Tennessee and Alabama receiving backs on kickoffs to them, let the football go over their head and land in the end zone and not go out. They did not ground the ball even though it had traveled over 10 yards and to me, was live.

Asked by Wally over 8 years ago

But to the Rules Committee and the officials, it is not. Rule 6-1-7-a states: "When a free kick untouched by Team B (receivers) touches the ground on or behind Team B's goal line, the ball becomes dead and belongs to Team B." In the NFL it is still alive.

Is it pass interference if a d-player is running behind the o-player on a pass upfield but the ball is thrown short so the o-player comes back against the d-player but the d-payer doesn't have time to react and never turns around?

Asked by jp-pats over 8 years ago

Technically as you describe it, the defender is still moving forward and is not playing the ball. They both have a right to the ball and - again - as you describe it the receiver turns to play the ball. If the defender continues going through the receiver, that defensive pass interference.

If a player see on the one yard line and reaches the ball outside of the pylon is this a touchdown or do you mark the ball at the one

Asked by dmesz15 over 8 years ago

If I'm reading you right, the runner goes down in bounds on the one. He is reaching the ball forward but the ball goes outside the pylon. The ball is placed where it crossed the sideline.

NCAA Onside kick scenario: Team A kicks off and recovers onside kick after it travels 10 yards with no touching by team B. Does any time come off the game clock?

Asked by Wyvrn164 over 8 years ago

With one exception the answer is yes. If a receiver catches the ball while on the ground then no time comes off - touching and being down are at the same moment. In all other scenarios- whether it's K or R - some time comes off. The clock starts with legal touching in the field of play. K cannot advance it so the clock would wind and then be stopped.

During a match referee awards a penalty, can a player replace his goal keeper only for the kick? if yes does he change his jersey.

Asked by Christopher Fernandes almost 9 years ago

Hmmm, wrong football. Sorry, can't help.

In the NCAA,is it legal to hand the ball forward no then pass the ball?

Asked by Mark R. over 8 years ago

As long as the passer is behind the line of scrimmage then yes.