Quite a bit going on during this play (courtesy of some ill-advised Tim Tebow improvisation). Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Danny McCray.
The officials did a great job of staying on top of the action and flagging the infractions that needed to be flagged according to NFL rules. In no particular order, the fouls by offense were an illegal forward pass (0:17), an ineligible receiver down field (0:17) and an illegal block in the back (0:19).
Terry McAulay did a good job of announcing the fouls with the help of his off-camera crew mates (young officials take note).
Plays like this can unfortunately give lower level officials fits. Those fits will have nothing to do with covering the action, though. This play does a great job of highlighting a couple of the rule differences between the National Football League (NFL) and National Federation of State High School Association (NFHS) rule sets.
If this play were to occur on any given Friday night in a high school game played under NFHS rules, there is a high probability that there will only be 5 guys in the stadium that know the differences between the codes and how to properly apply them. However, people in attendance will be convinced that the officials don’t know what they’re doing when the dust settles and there is (hopefully) only one flag on the ground. There will be cries of “homerism”, incompetence, and much much worse.
There’s no escaping the uninformed, though; ignoring them is just part of the job.
So without further ado, let’s dissect the various fouls that were called on this play and discuss the NFHS rules apply to the action on the field.
Illegal Forward Pass
Surprisingly, Tim Tebow’s (#15) pass would have been a legal forward pass according the NFHS rules. NFHS Rule 7-5-1 defines a legal forward pass:
It is a legal forward pass, if during a scrimmage down and before team possession has changed, a player of A throws the ball with both feet of the passer in or behind the neutral zone when the ball is released. Only one forward pass may be thrown during a down.
Under NFHS rules, the only restriction is that the passers feet must both be in or behind the neutral zone when the ball is released. There is no restriction on crossing the neutral zone and returning behind it to throw a legal forward pass.
Ineligible Downfield
If this game were being played under NFHS rules, Manny Rameriez (#65) would have been legally downfield. NFHS Rule 7-5-12 discusses ineligible players illegally down field:
Ineligible A players may not advance beyond the expanded neutral zone on a legal forward pass play before a legal forward pass that crosses the neutral zone is in flight.
While this was a legal forward pass under NFHS rules, it did not cross the neutral zone in flight. The ball was snapped at the 14 and the receiver caught the ball two yards behind the line of scrimmage at the 16. In this case, there simply would not have been any restrictions on team A’s ineligibles.
Illegal Block in the Back
The block by Julius Thomas (#80) was simply illegal in all rule sets. Rule 9-3-5 discusses clipping and illegal blocking in the back:
A player shall not clip or block an opponent in the back except:
a. In the free blocking zone when the contact meets the requirements of 2-17
b. Using hands and arms to contact an opponent above the waist in warding off a blocker, or when attempting to reach a runner, or catch or recover a loose ball which he may legally touch or possess.
c. To tackle a runner of player
This call was a “no brainer” at any level. Mr. Thomas should know better.
I have a feeling that this would have been called a third way in a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) game, but don’t presently have time to parse that rule set. We’ll leave that analysis for another day.
This is part 2 of a multi-part series that will discuss the rule and case references used to arrive at the correct answers on the multiple choice IHSA Football Exam (PI). The series will run through the final testing day (September 5, 2011) and be comprised of 10 separate articles that will ultimately address all 50 questions in the IHSA test bank. The 5 questions appearing in each individual post will be selected at random. While many of the questions will have a single rule or case reference that can be used to discern the correct answer, some will require the ability to combine and apply multiple rules to arrive at the correct answer.
When page numbers are given after rule references, you can refer to the corresponding pages in the 2011 NFHS Football Rule Book. When page numbers are given after case plays, please refer to the corresponding pages in the 2011 NFHS Football Case Book. When unsure if a rule or case play is being referenced, please keep in mind that rules are referenced with dashes (e.g. 1-5-1) and case plays are referenced with dots (e.g. 10.1.2).
Without further ado, let’s get started on the exam questions:
Q38
K1′s punt on 4th and 10 is from his own 20 yard line. The kick is high and short. R1 gives a valid (fair catch) signal beyond the neutral zone and muffs the kick. The ball rebounds behind the neutral zone where K1 recovers the ball at his 15 yard line and advances to his 18 yard line. The correct ruling is:
A. K may not advance a muff by R; K’s ball 1st and 10 at K’s 15 yard line.
B. legal advance by K1; K’s ball 1st and 10 from their 18 yard line.
C. K relinquished possession by kicking on fourth down; R’s ball 1st and 10 from K’s 18 yard line.
D. legal advance by K1, but he did not reach the line to gain (LTG); R’s ball 1st and 10 from K’s 18 yard line.
This is one of the more complicated questions on the exam. It has quite a bit of action and tests several knowledge areas that may or may not come into play including, but not limited to, when a kick ends, who can advance scrimmage kicks muffed by R, advancement of scrimmage kicks recovered behind the line of scrimmage (LOS), achievement of the LTG, who is awarded a new series when the down ends, etc.
First, we need to decide if the advance by K was legal.
Rule 6-2-3 (p. 53) states that any K player may catch or recover a scrimmage kick (that is not a try) and advance if the scrimmage kick is caught or recovered while it is in or behind the neutral zone.
Rule 6-2-4 (p. 53-54) states that any K player may catch or recover a scrimmage kick while it is beyond the neutral zone or neutral zone expanded provided that the kick has been touched by a receiver who was clearly beyond the neutral zone at the time of touching (provided that the receiver was not pushed or blocked into the ball and that the ball was not legally batted or muffed into R). A recovery by R in this situation results in a dead ball.
In this situation you have a kick beyond the LOS, that was muffed by R. The muffed ball was recovered by K behind the LOS and advanced.
Which rule applies? The comment added to 6.2.3 SITUATION A (p. 42) makes the answer crystal clear.
The right of the K to advance their recovered scrimmage kick depends entirely upon whether the kick is recovered in, behind or beyond the neutral zone. The fact that the kick went beyond the neutral zone and then rebounded behind it is of no consequence. If the recovery is in or behind the neutral zone, K may advance.
Next, we need to determine who will be awarded a new series.
Rule 5-1-3 (p. 49) discusses who a new series is awarded to when a scrimmage down end with the ball in the field of play or out of bounds between the goal lines. 5-1-3 (f) says that the team in possession at the end of the down will be awarded a new series if R is the first to touch a scrimmage kick while it is beyond the expanded neutral zone, unless the penalty is accepted for a non post-scrimmage kick fouled which occurred before the kick ended or unless 6-2-7 applies.
Rule 6-2-7 (p. 54) discusses scrimmage kicks that become dead in bounds with no one in possession, kicks that go out of bounds between the goal lines and kicks that are jointly possessed in the field of play.
Since no non post-scrimmage kick penalty was accepted and 6-2-7 does not apply, the team in possession at the end of the down (K
Answer B. legal advance by K1; K’s ball 1st and 10 from their 18 yard line.
Q50
How far outside the sideline opposite the press box must the official line-to-gain and down indicators be operated, unless space does not permit?
A. 2 yards.
B. 3 yards.
C. 4 yards.
D. 5 yards.
Rule 1-3-5 (p. 15-16) discusses the required line-to-gain equipment and down indicator. 1-3-5 (b) states that the official line-to-gain and down indicators shall be operated approximately 2 yards outside the sideline opposite the press box, except in stadiums where the total playing enclosure does not permit.
Answer A. 2 yards.
Q1
A varsity game is tied at the end of regulation. Team A used all 3 timeouts during the second half while Team B used no time outs during the second half. Which of the following statements is correct regarding the number of timeouts each team has as the game moves to the first overtime period?
A. team A has no time outs and team B has 3 time outs.
B. team A has 1 timeout and team B has 4 time outs.
C. team A has 1 timeout and team B has 1 time out.
D. team A has 3 timeouts and team B has 6 time outs.
Rule 3-5-1 (p. 42) discusses charged time outs and when they can be used. It states that unused timeouts cannot be carried over. Unused first half timeouts cannot be used in the second half and unused second half time outs can not be used in overtime. Whether or not a team used its allotted second half time outs is of no consequence.
So how many timeouts does each team get?
The note in Rule 3-1-1 (p. 38) tells us to look in the supplementary section of the rule book for an example of an overtime procedure (which is used by the IHSA). On page 91 of the supplementary section, begins a section on resolving tied games. Under the listing for 3-5-1 the section states, “each team shall be permitted one time-out during each overtime period (a series for A and a series for B)”.
Answer C. team A has 1 timeout and team B has 1 time out.
Q14
At the time of the snap a defensive player is considered on his line of scrimmage when he is within:
A. 1 foot of the line of scrimmage.
B. 2 feet of the line of scrimmage.
C. 1 yard of the line of scrimmage.
D. 2 yards of the line of scrimmage.
Rule 2-25 (p. 32) discusses the line of scrimmage. 2-25-3 specifically addresses defensive players on the line of scrimmage by stating, “a defensive player is on the line of scrimmage when he is within 1 yard of his scrimmage line at the snap”.
Answer C. 1 yard of the line of scrimmage.
Q29
Team boxes shall be marked on each side of the field outside the coaches’ area between:
A. the 20 yard lines.
B. the 25 yard lines.
C. the 30 yard lines.
D. the 35 yard lines.
Rule 1-2-3 (p. 12-13) discusses lines and other markings on the football field. 1-2-3 (g) discusses the team boxes specifically and states, “team boxes shall be marked on each side of the field outside the coaches’ area between the 25 yard lines for use by coaches, substitutes, athletic trainers, etc., affiliate with the team”.
Answer B. the 25 yard lines.
This takes us through 10 of the 50 questions in the IHSA sample bank. As always if you have any comments or questions regarding the questions covered or simply think I’ve go something wrong, please let me know either via comment or email.
This is part 1 of a multi-part series that will discuss the rule and case references used to arrive at the correct answers on the multiple choice IHSA Football Exam (PI). The series will run through the final testing day (September 5, 2011) and be comprised of 10 separate articles that will ultimately address all 50 questions in the IHSA test bank. The 5 questions appearing in each individual post will be selected at random. While many of the questions will have a single rule or case reference that can be used to discern the correct answer, some will require the ability to combine and apply multiple rules to arrive at the correct answer.
When page numbers are given after rule references, you can refer to the corresponding pages in the 2011 NFHS Football Rule Book. When page numbers are given after case plays, please refer to the corresponding pages in the 2011 NFHS Football Case Book. When unsure if a rule or case play is being referenced, please keep in mind that rules are referenced with dashes (e.g. 1-5-1) and case plays are referenced with dots (e.g. 10.1.2).
Without further ado, let’s get started on the exam questions:
Q15
Once the referee signals the ball ready for play, the ball must be snapped or a free kick must take place within:
A. 20 seconds
B. 25 seconds
C. 30 seconds
D. 40 seconds
Rule 3-6-2 (p. 45) discusses delay of game, which can be described as action or inaction that prevents promptness in putting the ball in play. The rule goes on to discuss six separate actions or inactions that constitue delay of game (a-f). According to 3-5-2 (a), the failure to snap or free kick within 25 seconds after the ball is marked ready for play constitues delay of game.
Answer B. 25 seconds
Q39
A free kick shall put the ball in play:
A. after a safety.
B. when a free kick down is replayed.
C. both A and B.
D. none of the above.
Rule 4-1-2 (p. 46) indicates when a ball should be put in play via free kick. Rule 4-1-2 (a) states that there will be a free kick after a safety and Rule 4-1-2 (b) states that a free kick will take place when a free kick down is replayed. Therefore, both A and B are correct.
Answer C. both A and B.
Q47
A56 pulls A33 to assist in his forward progress. What is the foul?
A. helping the runner.
B. illegal use of the hands.
C. illegal participation.
D. none of the above.
Rule 9-1 (p. 67) addresses helping the runner. The section states that “an offensive player shall not push, pull or lift the runner to assist his forward progress”.
Answer A. helping the runner.
Q4
Team K’s punt is blocked on fourth down with the game clock running. K87 picks up the ball behind the line of scrimmage and advances it 20 yards for a first down. The clock should next start on the:
A. ready for play signal.
B. snap.
C. none of the above.
Rule 3-4-3 (p. 42) specifies the following reasons which would result in the clock being started on the snap:
a. The ball goes out of bounds.
b. B is awarded a new series.
c. Either team is awarded a new series following a legal kick.
d. The ball becomes dead behind the goal line.
e. A legal or illegal forward pass is incomplete.
f. A request for a charged or TV/radio time-out is granted.
g. A period ends.
h. A team attempts to consume time illegally.
i. The penalty for a delay of game foul is accepted.
j. A fair catch is made.
Since the kick was legal and A was awarded a first down, the clock will start at the snap.
Answer B. Snap
Q34
A Coach-Referee conference must be held:
A. in front of the team box and on the field of play.
B. in the team box.
C. anywhere on the field of play.
D. at the 50 yard line in the center of the field.
Rule 2-6 (p. 26-27) defines both Coach-Referee and authorized team conferences. Rule 2-6-1 (p. 26), in particular, discusses Coach-Referee conferences. The rule states that the referee confers with the coach at the sideline in front of his team box in the field of play.
Answer A. in front of the team box and on the field of play.
Five questions down and 45 to go. If you have any comments or questions regarding the questions covered or simply think I’m wrong, please let me know.
