LETTER OF THE LAW OR SPIRIT OF THE LAW

CATCH RULE REFERENCE  A catch is the act of establishing player possession of a live ball which is in flight, and first contacting the ground in- bounds or by being contacted by an opponent in such a way that he is prevented from returning to the ground in- bounds while maintaining possession of the ball.  Catching is always preceded by touching the ball: thus if touching causes the ball to become dead, securing possession of the ball has no significance.  A simultaneous catch or recovery, is a catch or recovery in which there is joint possession of a live ball by opposing players who are in bounds.

RULE REFERENCE CONTINUED  is the only description in NFHS rules to describe what is a completed catch.  We as officials must have a consistent approach to rule on catch or no catch.  The game will progress more smoothly if a questionable catch is ruled incomplete rather than a catch and fumble  This decision of catch or no catch will be one of the most difficult rulings you will make in a game.

IS THERE A FORCE OUT RULE IN THE NFHS CODE?  YES  If the defense contacts an airborne receiver and the contact causes the receiver to change direction or stops his forward progress and land out of bounds with possession of the ball, this is a completed catch.  If the defense contacts an airborne receiver from behind and the added force moves the player in the same general direction that he was moving, this is NOT considered a factor affecting the spot of landing. The receiver must get a foot down in bounds with possession for it to be a completed catch.  See Situation J and Situation K

Philosophy of application  1) A player must possess the ball and “make a distinctive move while maintaining possession” of the ball.  2) If a player receives the ball while in the air and as soon as he touches down in bounds, he is hit and loses control of the ball, this should be ruled as an incomplete pass.  3) If a player receives the ball, takes 1 step, falls to the ground and after making contact with the ground loses possession of the ball, this should be ruled an incomplete pass. The player must maintain possession of the ball through contact with the ground (2-4-1).  4) If a player receives the ball while in the air, returns to the ground and immediately is stripped of the ball, this should be ruled as an incomplete pass,  5) If a player receives the ball while in the air and is hit before returning to the ground and loses possession, this is an incomplete pass.

FOOTBALL FUNDAMENTALS & AXIOMS OF FOOTBALL  Football Fundamental # 1-5  A player cannot fumble before gaining possession  Axioms are not rules, but are long established and time tested theories on the proper way to make officiating decisions. YOU MUST BE ABSOLUTLEY SURE OR #1 A pass is muffed and incomplete rather than caught, therefore no reception and no fumble # 2 The ball is passed and not fumbled during an attempted forward pass. #3 The Qb has not intentionally grounded the ball. #4 The ball is dead (the runner was down prior to the fumble).

FUMBLE VS INCOMPLETE PASS  1) Every official needs to understand the letter of the rule vs the spirit of the rule.  2) Holding calls, possession plays, illegal formations etc. all apply the spirit of the rule, not the letter of the rule.  3) Personal fouls, unsportsmanlike fouls, and anything that involves player safety, the LETTER OF THE RULE MUST BE ENFORCED.  4) The ability to apply these philosophies is gained with experience, as you work more games this philosophy will become second nature.