I'm a little late in posting Part II from last week but here we go. As a reminder I made three calls during a single game (were talking High School rules this time) which had a bearing on the outcome of the game. Last post we reviewed the non-Safety ruling. The remaining two rulings were on exactly the same type of play about 3 minutes apart - passes thrown to a receiver at the sideline.
Here's the scenario. It's been a close game. The home team has the ball, there is something like 5 minutes remaining, and they are down by 7. They need to score. They make a critical first-down. And then another. And then, it's 3rd and long at about their own 45 yard line. Time to wake-up Pigskinref because this is a critical play.
The ball is snapped, I read pass and begin to drift down field. I was working Line Judge, so I have partial pass coverage duties. Partial meaning I share the pass coverage with the Back Judge. I have described pass coverage responsibilities in other posts, so we won't dig into that here, but on this particular play, the Back Judge could help me, but it was my call all the way.
The intended receiver streaks down the sideline. I struggle to keep up with these speed demons while watching for any kind of interference. Nothing. Then the ball is thrown. The receiver leaps into the air, catches the ball, and before he hits the ground is driven out of bounds. When he hits the ground he retains possession of the ball.
So, did he complete the catch? What should my ruling be?
Let's look at rule 7-5-5 "A forward pass, legal or illegal, is incomplete and the ball becomes dead when the pass touches the ground or goes out of bounds. It is also incomplete when a player in the air possesses the pass and alights so that his first contact with the ground or anything other than another player or game official is on our outside a boundary..." We are concerned about the last part in italics. In common vernacular, this mouthful means the receiver needs to land inbounds (one foot inbounds like in College) to complete the pass.
So, my ruling should be incomplete. But, wait there is more. There is always more, isn't there?
If you paid attention I highlighted the word catches a paragraph or two above. What is the definition of a catch in High School? And yes, the definition is different depending upon the level.
Let's look at rule 2-4-1 "A catch is the act of establishing player possession of live ball which is in flight, and first contacting the ground inbounds or being contacted by an opponent is such a way that he is prevented from returning to the ground inbounds while maintaining possession of the ball.
So, in High School, we have this added complexity of determining "IF" this player would have come down inbounds without being contacted by the opponent. There is no time to think this through. No time to discuss this. You gotta know and make the ruling. I ruled completed catch but the wheels were spinning in my head. I haven't made this call in years.
The home team scored on the next play. Now it's 28-29 and the visitors have the ball with about 2:00 left. They get a first down. And then another. Sound familiar? Now they have crossed the 50 yard line, but this time it's 4th down with 30 seconds left. It's gonna be a pass. They just need to get to the 20 or so and can attempt a field goal for the win. Crap, stay awake Pigskinref.
The same scenario. A long pass to my sideline, but this time the receiver leaps sideways and not vertical. He catches the ball about the 10 yard line and is driven out of bounds before he contacts the ground. He maintained possession. The reception was highly athletic and actually beautiful. This is a huge play. And I'm a frigging Umpire. I make big ruling like calling back touchdowns for Holding. What am I doing making these kind of calls?
Oh ya, it was homecoming, so the stadium was packed of people and this play occurred on the home team side.
So, did he complete the catch?
Talk to you all next week.
