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514 Questions

Last Answer on January 23, 2021

Hello, do you know why NFL players let the last minute of 2nd and 4th quarter go by just walking to the locker room? Why do they do that when the game is fairly close? Is this the same in college football? If so, why? If not, why? Thanks.

Asked by Hanwook Nam over 7 years ago

It doesn't always happen and it's because their coaches decided they aren't gong to run another play. It can't be the last minute, though, because there may be a play clock involved. Beyond that, you'd have to ask a coach why.

513 Votes

this question pertains to the seahawks/packers game on 9/10/2017. in the 4th quarter onthe final drive, with 3:09 remaining, the packers were assessed an unnecessary roughness penalty (15yds) yet next play was a 1st & 10 - shouldn't it be 1st & 25?

Asked by chezcarson over 7 years ago

While I didn't see the game, this is probably what happened. It's the same as in college football where if there is a foul, in this case a personal foul, between downs and before the chains have been set with the new line to gain, the penalty is enforced and then the chains are set. So it is, in fact, first and 10.

512 Votes

Why do officials stand over the football and deliberately deny the center from hiking the ball as the play clock ticks away? Sometimes the offense wants to "hurry up"offense and cannot due to the ref standing over the ball on the line of scrimmage

Asked by Willfire67 about 8 years ago

If the offense has substituted, the defense has to be given an opportunity to "match up". There are limits in time, but the D has to have the chance. If the defense doesn't sub immediately, the official moves off the ball. When you see an official with his arms out to the side ("iron cross") they are in that time frame allowing the defense to sub.

511 Votes

In the NFL if a player possesses the ball and a teammate standing partially out of bounds contacts him is the ball considered out of bounds?

Asked by Ron about 8 years ago

Well, based on what we saw on the Giants-Packers game, no. My understanding on other levels is if a player (ball carrier) comes on contact with something or someone out of bounds, then he is out of bounds. But...

510 Votes

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It is 4th down, with 5 seconds left in the game. The offensive team is ahead by 2 points. The QB receives the snap and runs backward and throws the ball up The offensive team storms the field and ball is caught by a player not in the game. Is game o

Asked by Rick over 8 years ago

This play will never never happen, even in a Pop Warner game.

Here is my take: Too many men on the field and yes 15 yds for unsportsmanship and replay after 15 yds back.

Also, if QB threw up ball, would this be intentional grounding? If yes, that is a spot foul, 5 yds from spot and loss of down. LOD on 4th down with no time left means that we do not extend so game would be over and B loses if they accept this foul (which they would not).

The QB would take the snap and run backwards for 4 seconds and then take a knee. Period.

507 Votes

Why is a quarterback not charged for "intentional grounding" when he spikes the ball?

Asked by Les about 8 years ago

The rules allow the player who "first controls the snap" to immediately throw it to the ground without being called for grounding.

507 Votes

If a team was punting out of their own endzone, and the punter muffed the kick straight up and a person on the opposition called a fair catch in the endzone would it be a touchdown. Also if they interfered with the fair catch would it be a touchdown?

Asked by Erik over 7 years ago

Let's correct a term first. The punter can't muff the kick. What I think you're saying is the punter kicked the ball straight up in the air. If the ball was still in the endzone, that means the kick never crossed the line of scrimmage. And that means you can't call for a fair catch. If the receiving team has possession in that endzone, you have a touchdown.

506 Votes

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Football Official

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

Hello, do you know why NFL players let the last minute of 2nd and 4th quarter go by just walking to the locker room? Why do they do that when the game is fairly close? Is this the same in college football? If so, why? If not, why? Thanks.

this question pertains to the seahawks/packers game on 9/10/2017. in the 4th quarter onthe final drive, with 3:09 remaining, the packers were assessed an unnecessary roughness penalty (15yds) yet next play was a 1st & 10 - shouldn't it be 1st & 25?

Why do officials stand over the football and deliberately deny the center from hiking the ball as the play clock ticks away? Sometimes the offense wants to "hurry up"offense and cannot due to the ref standing over the ball on the line of scrimmage

In the NFL if a player possesses the ball and a teammate standing partially out of bounds contacts him is the ball considered out of bounds?

Also on Jobstr...

It is 4th down, with 5 seconds left in the game. The offensive team is ahead by 2 points. The QB receives the snap and runs backward and throws the ball up The offensive team storms the field and ball is caught by a player not in the game. Is game o

Why is a quarterback not charged for "intentional grounding" when he spikes the ball?

If a team was punting out of their own endzone, and the punter muffed the kick straight up and a person on the opposition called a fair catch in the endzone would it be a touchdown. Also if they interfered with the fair catch would it be a touchdown?

Football Official

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

Hello, do you know why NFL players let the last minute of 2nd and 4th quarter go by just walking to the locker room? Why do they do that when the game is fairly close? Is this the same in college football? If so, why? If not, why? Thanks.

this question pertains to the seahawks/packers game on 9/10/2017. in the 4th quarter onthe final drive, with 3:09 remaining, the packers were assessed an unnecessary roughness penalty (15yds) yet next play was a 1st & 10 - shouldn't it be 1st & 25?

Why do officials stand over the football and deliberately deny the center from hiking the ball as the play clock ticks away? Sometimes the offense wants to "hurry up"offense and cannot due to the ref standing over the ball on the line of scrimmage

In the NFL if a player possesses the ball and a teammate standing partially out of bounds contacts him is the ball considered out of bounds?

Also on Jobstr...

It is 4th down, with 5 seconds left in the game. The offensive team is ahead by 2 points. The QB receives the snap and runs backward and throws the ball up The offensive team storms the field and ball is caught by a player not in the game. Is game o

Why is a quarterback not charged for "intentional grounding" when he spikes the ball?

If a team was punting out of their own endzone, and the punter muffed the kick straight up and a person on the opposition called a fair catch in the endzone would it be a touchdown. Also if they interfered with the fair catch would it be a touchdown?

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