You make the call (1 Viewer)

[GregR]

Ok, you're the ref. Or in some cases, a coach. Here are some unusual situations, you make the call. (ETA: Include the reason, don't just say incomplete or complete, but what made it so.) I'll add links to the first correct answer for each.

Edit: All answered now, but if anyone has some of their own to add, they are welcome.

1) An eligible receiver is downfield. He jumps up and catches the ball. He get his right foot down in bounds. A hit by a defender keeps him from getting his left foot down, but he hops forward and his right foot touches in bounds a second time, before he steps out of bounds with his left foot. He controlled the ball the entire time and never went to the ground. What's the ref's call?

Answered by Walking Boot.

Spoiler

Incomplete. People say "2 feet down" I'm guessing to highlight the difference to college's 1 foot down. But the actual NFL rule is "both feet". Touching the right one down twice will not make it a catch.

2) The offense goes no huddle and runs 3 extra players (14 total) on the field. They all line up in formation. The quarterback surveys the field for a half dozen seconds, then barks out a call based on which 3 players leave the field, bringing their total back to 11.

Semi-answered by a few.

Spoiler

If the offense lines more than 11 men line up in the formation for more than 3 seconds, it is a penalty. So while the ref would not let the offense snap the ball so the defense could substitute, the penalty should be called while our QB was still surveying the field.

3) The ref stops the clocks to measure for a first down. While they do, the offense huddles and breaks the huddle with 12 players. As the ref winds for the clocks to start, one of the players runs off the field and the offense lines up on the ball with 11 players now.

Answered by Ebaker5.

Spoiler

It is a penalty to have more than 11 in the huddle only when the play clock is running. Since it was stopped, no penalty

4) A receiver jumps up and catches a ball in the air. Before he lands, a defender grabs him out of the air, throws him over his shoulder, and runs a ways to the sideline and dumps him out of bounds. No part of the receiver touched in bounds after making the catch.

Answer provided:

Spoiler

Under old rules, if a receiver was going to come down with 2 feet in bound and you pushed or carried him out, it was still a catch. Under the new rules, they changed the part about pushing and it would now be incomplete. But carrying the player out still results in a completion. Here is the rule:

Item 6: Carried Out of Bounds. If a player, who is in possession of the ball, is held up and carried out of bounds by an opponent before both feet or any part of his body other than his hands touches the ground inbounds, it is a completed or intercepted pass.

5) A tight end leaves the field at the end of the previous play. The offense huddles with 10 players. They break the huddle and line up. A wide receiver on the sideline steps a foot in bounds and waits there for the snap, hoping to go unnoticed by the defense. The formation is valid and when allowed the offense snaps the ball.

Answered by Walking Boot.

Spoiler

This would be an illegal substitution, the player has to "move onto the field of play or the end zone as far as the inside of the field numerals prior to the snap" to become a valid substitute.

6) The defense has 12 men on the field during a goal line stand. The offense is moving to line up but are not in formation yet. A safety notices and steps out of the back of the end zone to leave the field so there are only 11 defenders. The offense lines up and snaps the ball.

Answered by Walking Boot.

Spoiler

Players have to leave the field across their team's sideline. Stepping out of the back of the end zone, or leaving on the opponent's sideline, is an illegal substitution penalty.

7) Team A punts the ball. The returner for Team B waves for a fair catch. He misjudges it and muffs the catch. The ball hits his chest and flies through the air into a teammate from Team B who was blocking for him. A member of Team A grabs the ball while it is still in the air and runs it in for a touchdown.

Answered by apalmer.

Spoiler

After a fair catch signal, the punting team cannot touch the ball until it hits the ground. Even if it touches other players on the receiving team, or the ref. To do so is fair catch interference, a 15 yard penalty.

8) Team A punts the ball. The returner for Team B does not make a fair catch signal this time. He lets the ball bounce. A kicking team player from Team A touches the ball, but fails to secure it. Team B's returner then picks up the ball off the turf and runs with it. He fumbles, and Team A recovers and runs it in for a touchdown.

Answered by Walking Boot.

Spoiler

When the punting team touches the ball before the receiving team, it's actually a penalty called "first touching". It's just so common they don't bother to announce it. The receiving team can take the ball where it was touched, or can take the result of the play (a touchdown for Team A). People say "You don't have to worry about fumbling" just in that if you fumble you can have the entire play ignored and take it back at where it was first touched.

9) Team A has 4th down from their own 1 yard line, leading by 1 point with 3 seconds left in the game, and they send out their punting unit rather than risk a safety. The returner waves for a fair catch, but a player from Team A tackles him before the ball gets there, resulting in the ball hitting the turf and bouncing out of bounds with time expired. What is the call by the ref? What should Team B's coach do?

Answered by apalmer.

Spoiler

Fair catch interference is a 15 yard penalty, but also means a fair catch is awarded. After any fair catch the receiving team can make a Fair Catch Kick. Essentially a FG from where the ball is spotted. There is no snap, just the holder holds it in that spot, and the defense has to line up 10 yards away, so has less chance to block the ball. While it's possible the punt could have been humongous, between the 15 yard penalty and kicking from the LOS instead of 7 yards back like on a FG, most of the time you'd be in an NFL kicker's range.

10) Similar situation, Team A with 4th down on their own 1 yard line and 3 seconds left on the clock, except this time they are up by 6 points. Team B goes for the block but the punter gets it off. The punt returner from Team B tries to get to the ball but stumbles and falls, resulting in the ball bouncing on the ground and Team A downing the ball with time expired.

Answered by Walking Boot.

Spoiler

We all know a defensive penalty will extend the half with an untimed play. The NFL rules call the punting team the offense since they snap the ball. But there are also a few offensive penalties that can extend a half with an extra play. One of them is first touching... a punting team who touches the ball before the receiving team. So in this scenario, Team B is entitled to an untimed down if they request it. Team A should have not downed the ball, they should have just let it be blown dead once the ball stops moving.

11) Team A lines up to punt on 4th down. They run a trick play and throw a pass to one of the gunners. A Team B player hits the gunner while the pass is in the air but clearly before it arrives, preventing the catch.

Answered by Walking Boot.

Spoiler

If the offense is in a punt formation, then you are allowed to commit pass interference and illegal contact against the gunners. You cannot hold them, though.

12) The Dolphins score a touchdown on the Cowboys and are going to kick a PAT. The kick is blocked by the Cowboys and the ball falls on the 5 yard line. Leon Lett, who came out of retirement for just this game, sees the ball lying there and is afraid of the Dolphins recovering it, so he bats the ball back through his end zone and out of bounds.

Combo of Ebaker5 and Anarchy99 got it.

Spoiler

The final call is a 1 point safety awarded to the Dolphins. The illegal batting that Ebaker5 said, results in a safety. But a safety during a Try is awarded 1 point.

 

[Ebaker5]

1) An eligible receiver is downfield. He jumps up and catches the ball. He get his right foot down in bounds. A hit by a defender keeps him from getting his left foot down, but he hops forward and his right foot touches in bounds a second time, before he steps out of bounds with his left foot. He controlled the ball the entire time and never went to the ground. What's the ref's call? - Incomplete catch

2) The offense goes no huddle and runs 3 extra players (14 total) on the field. They all line up in formation. The quarterback surveys the field for a half dozen seconds, then barks out a call based on which 3 players leave the field, bringing their total back to 11. - Illegal formation, Too many men on the field.

3) The ref stops the clocks to measure for a first down. While they do, the offense huddles and breaks the huddle with 12 players. As the ref winds for the clocks to start, one of the players runs off the field and the offense lines up on the ball with 11 players now.

- Broke the huddle before the play clock began, LEGAL

4) A receiver jumps up and catches a ball in the air. Before he lands, a defender grabs him out of the air, throws him over his shoulder, and runs a ways to the sideline and dumps him out of bounds. No part of the receiver touched in bounds after making the catch. ​- Forward progression, ball down at the point the receiver as lifted,

5) A tight end leaves the field at the end of the previous play. The offense huddles with 10 players. They break the huddle and line up. A wide receiver on the sideline steps a foot in bounds and waits there for the snap, hoping to go unnoticed by the defense. The formation is valid and when allowed the offense snaps the ball. - Have to notify the referee of the play. Legal.

6) The defense has 12 men on the field during a goal line stand. The offense is moving to line up but are not in formation yet. A safety notices and steps out of the back of the end zone to leave the field so there are only 11 defenders. The offense lines up and snaps the ball. - Player is not in the sideline box, could end up in a sideline warning.

7) Team A punts the ball. The returner for Team B waves for a fair catch. He misjudges it and muffs the catch. The ball hits his chest and flies through the air into a teammate from Team B who was blocking for him. A member of Team A grabs the ball while it is still in the air and runs it in for a touchdown. - Can't progress a ,muffed punt, no matter who it hit.

8) Team A punts the ball. The returner for Team B does not make a fair catch signal this time. He lets the ball bounce. A kicking team player from Team A touches the ball, but fails to secure it. Team B's returner then picks up the ball off the turf and runs with it. He fumbles, and Team A recovers and runs it in for a touchdown. - Ball down where B player fumbled. If the punt hits a punting team player, the receiving team can progress with out the risk of a fumble.

9) Team A has 4th down from their own 1 yard line, leading by 1 point with 3 seconds left in the game, and they send out their punting unit rather than risk a safety. The returner waves for a fair catch, but a player from Team A tackles him before the ball gets there, resulting in the ball hitting the turf and bouncing out of bounds with time expired. What is the call by the ref? What should Team B's coach do? ​- Illegal contact, accept the penalty and get a free play.

10) Similar situation, Team A with 4th down on their own 1 yard line and 3 seconds left on the clock, except this time they are up by 6 points. Team B goes for the block but the punter gets it off. The punt returner from Team B tries to get to the ball but stumbles and falls, resulting in the ball bouncing on the ground and Team A downing the ball with time expired. - End of game

11) Team A lines up to punt on 4th down. They run a trick play and throw a pass to one of the gunners. A Team B player hits the gunner while the pass is in the air but clearly before it arrives, preventing the catch. - PI

12) The Dolphins score a touchdown on the Cowboys and are going to kick a PAT. The kick is blocked by the Cowboys and the ball falls on the 5 yard line. Leon Lett, who came out of retirement for just this game, sees the ball lying there and is afraid of the Dolphins recovering it, so he bats the ball back through his end zone and out of bounds. - Illegal batting

 

[Bri]

Ok, you're the ref. Or in some cases, a coach. Here are some unusual situations, you make the call. I'll add links to the first correct answer for each.

1) An eligible receiver is downfield. He jumps up and catches the ball. He get his right foot down in bounds. A hit by a defender keeps him from getting his left foot down, but he hops forward and his right foot touches in bounds a second time, before he steps out of bounds with his left foot. He controlled the ball the entire time and never went to the ground. What's the ref's call? Catch if I see an effort to try and get left down

2) The offense goes no huddle and runs 3 extra players (14 total) on the field. They all line up in formation. The quarterback surveys the field for a half dozen seconds, then barks out a call based on which 3 players leave the field, bringing their total back to 11. Garbage, hand coach preschool counting textbook

3) The ref stops the clocks to measure for a first down. While they do, the offense huddles and breaks the huddle with 12 players. As the ref winds for the clocks to start, one of the players runs off the field and the offense lines up on the ball with 11 players now. same

4) A receiver jumps up and catches a ball in the air. Before he lands, a defender grabs him out of the air, throws him over his shoulder, and runs a ways to the sideline and dumps him out of bounds. No part of the receiver touched in bounds after making the catch. Catch and sell highlights to WWF

5) A tight end leaves the field at the end of the previous play. The offense huddles with 10 players. They break the huddle and line up. A wide receiver on the sideline steps a foot in bounds and waits there for the snap, hoping to go unnoticed by the defense. The formation is valid and when allowed the offense snaps the ball. Slimey but OK

6) The defense has 12 men on the field during a goal line stand. The offense is moving to line up but are not in formation yet. A safety notices and steps out of the back of the end zone to leave the field so there are only 11 defenders. The offense lines up and snaps the ball. Not sideline, penalty, but if it's a "let em play" type game being called, might ignore

7) Team A punts the ball. The returner for Team B waves for a fair catch. He misjudges it and muffs the catch. The ball hits his chest and flies through the air into a teammate from Team B who was blocking for him. A member of Team A grabs the ball while it is still in the air and runs it in for a touchdown. Put an S on that guy's chest

8) Team A punts the ball. The returner for Team B does not make a fair catch signal this time. He lets the ball bounce. A kicking team player from Team A touches the ball, but fails to secure it. Team B's returner then picks up the ball off the turf and runs with it. He fumbles, and Team A recovers and runs it in for a touchdown. Check if gloves or ball coated in butter

9) Team A has 4th down from their own 1 yard line, leading by 1 point with 3 seconds left in the game, and they send out their punting unit rather than risk a safety. The returner waves for a fair catch, but a player from Team A tackles him before the ball gets there, resulting in the ball hitting the turf and bouncing out of bounds with time expired. What is the call by the ref? What should Team B's coach do? One more play which will be screen to WR, who steps back and passes

10) Similar situation, Team A with 4th down on their own 1 yard line and 3 seconds left on the clock, except this time they are up by 6 points. Team B goes for the block but the punter gets it off. The punt returner from Team B tries to get to the ball but stumbles and falls, resulting in the ball bouncing on the ground and Team A downing the ball with time expired. Get some 4th graders to point and laugh at him

11) Team A lines up to punt on 4th down. They run a trick play and throw a pass to one of the gunners. A Team B player hits the gunner while the pass is in the air but clearly before it arrives, preventing the catch. One more play but with Steve Tasker telling the gunner he needs to toughen up

12) The Dolphins score a touchdown on the Cowboys and are going to kick a PAT. The kick is blocked by the Cowboys and the ball falls on the 5 yard line. Leon Lett, who came out of retirement for just this game, sees the ball lying there and is afraid of the Dolphins recovering it, so he bats the ball back through his end zone and out of bounds. If ball hits Jerry doink on the head, Dolphins concede win. If Romo looks at it, Dolphins win. Most fun, refs forget to blow whistle and we get a FFA amongst the reporters and photographers

 

[shady inc]

4) A receiver jumps up and catches a ball in the air. Before he lands, a defender grabs him out of the air, throws him over his shoulder, and runs a ways to the sideline and dumps him out of bounds. No part of the receiver touched in bounds after making the catch. ​- Forward progression, ball down at the point the receiver as lifted,

You can have a lack of forward progress without touching the ground?

What if the defender continues to carry the receiver forward (towards the defender's own goal line) as he carries him towards the sideline?

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Ok, you're the ref. Or in some cases, a coach. Here are some unusual situations, you make the call. I'll add links to the first correct answer for each.

1) An eligible receiver is downfield. He jumps up and catches the ball. He get his right foot down in bounds. A hit by a defender keeps him from getting his left foot down, but he hops forward and his right foot touches in bounds a second time, before he steps out of bounds with his left foot. He controlled the ball the entire time and never went to the ground. What's the ref's call?

...

This is a trick, right?

 

[GregR]

1) An eligible receiver is downfield. He jumps up and catches the ball. He get his right foot down in bounds. A hit by a defender keeps him from getting his left foot down, but he hops forward and his right foot touches in bounds a second time, before he steps out of bounds with his left foot. He controlled the ball the entire time and never went to the ground. What's the ref's call? - Incomplete catch

2) The offense goes no huddle and runs 3 extra players (14 total) on the field. They all line up in formation. The quarterback surveys the field for a half dozen seconds, then barks out a call based on which 3 players leave the field, bringing their total back to 11. - Illegal formation, Too many men on the field.

3) The ref stops the clocks to measure for a first down. While they do, the offense huddles and breaks the huddle with 12 players. As the ref winds for the clocks to start, one of the players runs off the field and the offense lines up on the ball with 11 players now.

- Broke the huddle before the play clock began, LEGAL

4) A receiver jumps up and catches a ball in the air. Before he lands, a defender grabs him out of the air, throws him over his shoulder, and runs a ways to the sideline and dumps him out of bounds. No part of the receiver touched in bounds after making the catch. ​- Forward progression, ball down at the point the receiver as lifted,

5) A tight end leaves the field at the end of the previous play. The offense huddles with 10 players. They break the huddle and line up. A wide receiver on the sideline steps a foot in bounds and waits there for the snap, hoping to go unnoticed by the defense. The formation is valid and when allowed the offense snaps the ball. - Have to notify the referee of the play. Legal.

6) The defense has 12 men on the field during a goal line stand. The offense is moving to line up but are not in formation yet. A safety notices and steps out of the back of the end zone to leave the field so there are only 11 defenders. The offense lines up and snaps the ball. - Player is not in the sideline box, could end up in a sideline warning.

7) Team A punts the ball. The returner for Team B waves for a fair catch. He misjudges it and muffs the catch. The ball hits his chest and flies through the air into a teammate from Team B who was blocking for him. A member of Team A grabs the ball while it is still in the air and runs it in for a touchdown. - Can't progress a ,muffed punt, no matter who it hit.

8) Team A punts the ball. The returner for Team B does not make a fair catch signal this time. He lets the ball bounce. A kicking team player from Team A touches the ball, but fails to secure it. Team B's returner then picks up the ball off the turf and runs with it. He fumbles, and Team A recovers and runs it in for a touchdown. - Ball down where B player fumbled. If the punt hits a punting team player, the receiving team can progress with out the risk of a fumble.

9) Team A has 4th down from their own 1 yard line, leading by 1 point with 3 seconds left in the game, and they send out their punting unit rather than risk a safety. The returner waves for a fair catch, but a player from Team A tackles him before the ball gets there, resulting in the ball hitting the turf and bouncing out of bounds with time expired. What is the call by the ref? What should Team B's coach do? ​- Illegal contact, accept the penalty and get a free play.

10) Similar situation, Team A with 4th down on their own 1 yard line and 3 seconds left on the clock, except this time they are up by 6 points. Team B goes for the block but the punter gets it off. The punt returner from Team B tries to get to the ball but stumbles and falls, resulting in the ball bouncing on the ground and Team A downing the ball with time expired. - End of game

11) Team A lines up to punt on 4th down. They run a trick play and throw a pass to one of the gunners. A Team B player hits the gunner while the pass is in the air but clearly before it arrives, preventing the catch. - PI

12) The Dolphins score a touchdown on the Cowboys and are going to kick a PAT. The kick is blocked by the Cowboys and the ball falls on the 5 yard line. Leon Lett, who came out of retirement for just this game, sees the ball lying there and is afraid of the Dolphins recovering it, so he bats the ball back through his end zone and out of bounds. - Illegal batting

1 is correct, but why is it incomplete?

2 is close but not quite the correct call

3 is perfect. Play clock not running makes it legal.

4 the call isn't forward progress.

5-11 are wrong in some fashion.

12 an illegal batting is part of it, but need more. What is the specific outcome after that penalty?

 

[GregR]

Ok, you're the ref. Or in some cases, a coach. Here are some unusual situations, you make the call. I'll add links to the first correct answer for each.

1) An eligible receiver is downfield. He jumps up and catches the ball. He get his right foot down in bounds. A hit by a defender keeps him from getting his left foot down, but he hops forward and his right foot touches in bounds a second time, before he steps out of bounds with his left foot. He controlled the ball the entire time and never went to the ground. What's the ref's call?

...

This is a trick, right?

No tricks. What do you think the call should be?

 

[IndyHavoc]

I'll take a shot.

Ok, you're the ref. Or in some cases, a coach. Here are some unusual situations, you make the call. I'll add links to the first correct answer for each.

1) An eligible receiver is downfield. He jumps up and catches the ball. He get his right foot down in bounds. A hit by a defender keeps him from getting his left foot down, but he hops forward and his right foot touches in bounds a second time, before he steps out of bounds with his left foot. He controlled the ball the entire time and never went to the ground. What's the ref's call? Catch; 2 feet/pts of contact with ground.

2) The offense goes no huddle and runs 3 extra players (14 total) on the field. They all line up in formation. The quarterback surveys the field for a half dozen seconds, then barks out a call based on which 3 players leave the field, bringing their total back to 11. Illegal Procedure; must allow DEF to substitute/match personnel.

3) The ref stops the clocks to measure for a first down. While they do, the offense huddles and breaks the huddle with 12 players. As the ref winds for the clocks to start, one of the players runs off the field and the offense lines up on the ball with 11 players now. Same as #2.

4) A receiver jumps up and catches a ball in the air. Before he lands, a defender grabs him out of the air, throws him over his shoulder, and runs a ways to the sideline and dumps him out of bounds. No part of the receiver touched in bounds after making the catch. Incomplete pass; fairly recent change to "force out" clause.

5) A tight end leaves the field at the end of the previous play. The offense huddles with 10 players. They break the huddle and line up. A wide receiver on the sideline steps a foot in bounds and waits there for the snap, hoping to go unnoticed by the defense. The formation is valid and when allowed the offense snaps the ball. Legal Play? Surely had to report/notify referee?

6) The defense has 12 men on the field during a goal line stand. The offense is moving to line up but are not in formation yet. A safety notices and steps out of the back of the end zone to leave the field so there are only 11 defenders. The offense lines up and snaps the ball. 12 men on the field; endzone != sideline box.

7) Team A punts the ball. The returner for Team B waves for a fair catch. He misjudges it and muffs the catch. The ball hits his chest and flies through the air into a teammate from Team B who was blocking for him. A member of Team A grabs the ball while it is still in the air and runs it in for a touchdown. TD stands.

8) Team A punts the ball. The returner for Team B does not make a fair catch signal this time. He lets the ball bounce. A kicking team player from Team A touches the ball, but fails to secure it. Team B's returner then picks up the ball off the turf and runs with it. He fumbles, and Team A recovers and runs it in for a touchdown. Team B ball at spot of fumble.

9) Team A has 4th down from their own 1 yard line, leading by 1 point with 3 seconds left in the game, and they send out their punting unit rather than risk a safety. The returner waves for a fair catch, but a player from Team A tackles him before the ball gets there, resulting in the ball hitting the turf and bouncing out of bounds with time expired. What is the call by the ref? What should Team B's coach do? Fair Catch Interference, 10 yards from spot of pentalty. 1 free play for Team B.

10) Similar situation, Team A with 4th down on their own 1 yard line and 3 seconds left on the clock, except this time they are up by 6 points. Team B goes for the block but the punter gets it off. The punt returner from Team B tries to get to the ball but stumbles and falls, resulting in the ball bouncing on the ground and Team A downing the ball with time expired. Clock was running at time of punt, right? If so, End of Regulation.

11) Team A lines up to punt on 4th down. They run a trick play and throw a pass to one of the gunners. A Team B player hits the gunner while the pass is in the air but clearly before it arrives, preventing the catch. Pass Interference; ball placed at the spot of the flag (as long as the gunner never stepped out of bounds, that is).

12) The Dolphins score a touchdown on the Cowboys and are going to kick a PAT. The kick is blocked by the Cowboys and the ball falls on the 5 yard line. Leon Lett, who came out of retirement for just this game, sees the ball lying there and is afraid of the Dolphins recovering it, so he bats the ball back through his end zone and out of bounds. Play is dead at the point the ball hits the ground (not passing through uprights). PAT's != FG's.

 

[Anarchy99]

Is #12 the unicorn of football plays . . . the one point safety?

 

[GregR]

Is #12 the unicorn of football plays . . . the one point safety?

Correct! The illegal batting results in a safety. Any safety on a Try is awarded 1 point.

 

[GregR]

I'll take a shot.

Ok, you're the ref. Or in some cases, a coach. Here are some unusual situations, you make the call. I'll add links to the first correct answer for each.

1) An eligible receiver is downfield. He jumps up and catches the ball. He get his right foot down in bounds. A hit by a defender keeps him from getting his left foot down, but he hops forward and his right foot touches in bounds a second time, before he steps out of bounds with his left foot. He controlled the ball the entire time and never went to the ground. What's the ref's call? Catch; 2 feet/pts of contact with ground.

2) The offense goes no huddle and runs 3 extra players (14 total) on the field. They all line up in formation. The quarterback surveys the field for a half dozen seconds, then barks out a call based on which 3 players leave the field, bringing their total back to 11. Illegal Procedure; must allow DEF to substitute/match personnel.

3) The ref stops the clocks to measure for a first down. While they do, the offense huddles and breaks the huddle with 12 players. As the ref winds for the clocks to start, one of the players runs off the field and the offense lines up on the ball with 11 players now. Same as #2.

4) A receiver jumps up and catches a ball in the air. Before he lands, a defender grabs him out of the air, throws him over his shoulder, and runs a ways to the sideline and dumps him out of bounds. No part of the receiver touched in bounds after making the catch. Incomplete pass; fairly recent change to "force out" clause.

5) A tight end leaves the field at the end of the previous play. The offense huddles with 10 players. They break the huddle and line up. A wide receiver on the sideline steps a foot in bounds and waits there for the snap, hoping to go unnoticed by the defense. The formation is valid and when allowed the offense snaps the ball. Legal Play? Surely had to report/notify referee?

6) The defense has 12 men on the field during a goal line stand. The offense is moving to line up but are not in formation yet. A safety notices and steps out of the back of the end zone to leave the field so there are only 11 defenders. The offense lines up and snaps the ball. 12 men on the field; endzone != sideline box.

7) Team A punts the ball. The returner for Team B waves for a fair catch. He misjudges it and muffs the catch. The ball hits his chest and flies through the air into a teammate from Team B who was blocking for him. A member of Team A grabs the ball while it is still in the air and runs it in for a touchdown. TD stands.

8) Team A punts the ball. The returner for Team B does not make a fair catch signal this time. He lets the ball bounce. A kicking team player from Team A touches the ball, but fails to secure it. Team B's returner then picks up the ball off the turf and runs with it. He fumbles, and Team A recovers and runs it in for a touchdown. Team B ball at spot of fumble.

9) Team A has 4th down from their own 1 yard line, leading by 1 point with 3 seconds left in the game, and they send out their punting unit rather than risk a safety. The returner waves for a fair catch, but a player from Team A tackles him before the ball gets there, resulting in the ball hitting the turf and bouncing out of bounds with time expired. What is the call by the ref? What should Team B's coach do? Fair Catch Interference, 10 yards from spot of pentalty. 1 free play for Team B.

10) Similar situation, Team A with 4th down on their own 1 yard line and 3 seconds left on the clock, except this time they are up by 6 points. Team B goes for the block but the punter gets it off. The punt returner from Team B tries to get to the ball but stumbles and falls, resulting in the ball bouncing on the ground and Team A downing the ball with time expired. Clock was running at time of punt, right? If so, End of Regulation.

11) Team A lines up to punt on 4th down. They run a trick play and throw a pass to one of the gunners. A Team B player hits the gunner while the pass is in the air but clearly before it arrives, preventing the catch. Pass Interference; ball placed at the spot of the flag (as long as the gunner never stepped out of bounds, that is).

12) The Dolphins score a touchdown on the Cowboys and are going to kick a PAT. The kick is blocked by the Cowboys and the ball falls on the 5 yard line. Leon Lett, who came out of retirement for just this game, sees the ball lying there and is afraid of the Dolphins recovering it, so he bats the ball back through his end zone and out of bounds. Play is dead at the point the ball hits the ground (not passing through uprights). PAT's != FG's.

Maybe I was tricky.

All wrong except...

2 yes something's illegal but the issue isn't waiting for the defense to substitute issue

6 something's illegal but that's not the right penalty

9 - You got most of the ref part right but it's 15 yards. But there's something missing on what the smart move for the coach is

 

[IndyHavoc]

Is #12 the unicorn of football plays . . . the one point safety?

Correct! The illegal batting results in a safety. Any safety on a Try is awarded 1 point.

Holy crap, no kidding!? Wowzahs. Really thought a PAT was dead ball the second it hits the ground.

 

[IndyHavoc]

Love this thread btw! Been a long time since we've had something like this in the Pool. Thanks GR!

 

[GregR]

Is #12 the unicorn of football plays . . . the one point safety?

Correct! The illegal batting results in a safety. Any safety on a Try is awarded 1 point.

Holy crap, no kidding!? Wowzahs. Really thought a PAT was dead ball the second it hits the ground.

Don't think that's the case, I checked and am not seeing it anywhere in the rule book. It says the Try ends when the ball is dead by rule. I can't find any rules that differ for how the Try kick is handled than a field goal. So as far as I know, the defense could pick up the blocked kick and run it to their own endzone for a score. Or Leon Lett could be Leon Lett and give the offense a chance to pick it up without the play ending.

 

[GregR]

And I'm not trying to be too nitpicky, but some of them where chosen because the actual detail of the rule is probably not very well known so I'm looking for that detail that ends up driving the call.

So like #2, yes it's illegal for having too many men. But there are a number of too many men penalties that have different requirements. What specific detail causes this case to be a penalty? One of them is more than 11 men, the other is ________.

A hint, the penalty should be called before everything in the description has transpired.

 

[IndyHavoc]

Is #12 the unicorn of football plays . . . the one point safety?

Correct! The illegal batting results in a safety. Any safety on a Try is awarded 1 point.

Holy crap, no kidding!? Wowzahs. Really thought a PAT was dead ball the second it hits the ground.

Don't think that's the case, I checked and am not seeing it anywhere in the rule book. It says the Try ends when the ball is dead by rule. I can't find any rules that differ for how the Try kick is handled than a field goal. So as far as I know, the defense could pick up the blocked kick and run it to their own endzone for a score. Or Leon Lett could be Leon Lett and give the offense a chance to pick it up without the play ending.

Yep, quick search (wiki not always the best, but...) shows that as of this year the 1pt safety added to NFL. Neat, totally missed that they tacked that one on when messing with the PAT 1/2 rules.

 

[GregR]

7) Team A punts the ball. The returner for Team B waves for a fair catch. He misjudges it and muffs the catch. The ball hits his chest and flies through the air into a teammate from Team B who was blocking for him. A member of Team A grabs the ball while it is still in the air and runs it in for a touchdown.

A play kind of similar to this took place in a Texans-Titans game back when Jeff Fisher was the Titans coach. He was also co-chair of the Competition Committee that crafts the rules. Fisher chewed out the ref on the field for how he called it. And later issued an apology in his press conference as he'd forgotten the rules. Ref had got it right.

 

[apalmer]

For #7, I believe it's a fair catch interference call against the kicking team. The kicking team can't touch the ball until it hits the ground after a muffed fair catch. I seem to remember it being called against the Steelers a couple years ago. Only wrinkle I'm not sure of is with it touching the 2nd player.

The "smart move" for #9 is probably (depending on how long the punt was) is going for the "free kick" shot at the field goal so there's no rush.

 

[GregR]

For #7, I believe it's a fair catch interference call against the kicking team. The kicking team can't touch the ball until it hits the ground after a muffed fair catch. I seem to remember it being called against the Steelers a couple years ago. Only wrinkle I'm not sure of is with it touching the 2nd player.

The "smart move" for #9 is probably (depending on how long the punt was) is going for the "free kick" shot at the field goal so there's no rush.

Correct on both counts.

After the fair catch signal, the punting team cannot touch the ball until it hits the ground. Even if the ball hits other players or the ref. Doing so is fair catch inteference and a 15 yard penalty.

#9 is also fair catch interference. Which is a 15 yard penalty, but it also means you are awarded a fair catch and can make a fair catch kick then if you wish. A fair catch kick can only be done after a fair catch. It's like a field goal, but there is no snap. The holder holds the ball where it is spotted, and the kicker kicks it from there rather than from 7 yards back like a FG. The defense has to line up 10 yards back from the ball, so you have a lot less chance of it being blocked. Granted, yes, it could have been a booming punt that even after 22 yards of advantage you're out of kicking range and have to run a Hail Mary, but odds are an NFL kicker will be in range. Especially with the defense having less opportunity to block it being further back.

 

[Soulfly3]

sounds like we should be bumping finley

 

[tangfoot]

For #7, I believe it's a fair catch interference call against the kicking team. The kicking team can't touch the ball until it hits the ground after a muffed fair catch. I seem to remember it being called against the Steelers a couple years ago. Only wrinkle I'm not sure of is with it touching the 2nd player.

The "smart move" for #9 is probably (depending on how long the punt was) is going for the "free kick" shot at the field goal so there's no rush.

Correct on both counts.

After the fair catch signal, the punting team cannot touch the ball until it hits the ground. Even if the ball hits other players or the ref. Doing so is fair catch inteference and a 15 yard penalty.

#9 is also fair catch interference. Which is a 15 yard penalty, but it also means you are awarded a fair catch and can make a fair catch kick then if you wish. A fair catch kick can only be done after a fair catch. It's like a field goal, but there is no snap. The holder holds the ball where it is spotted, and the kicker kicks it from there rather than from 7 yards back like a FG. The defense has to line up 10 yards back from the ball, so you have a lot less chance of it being blocked. Granted, yes, it could have been a booming punt that even after 22 yards of advantage you're out of kicking range and have to run a Hail Mary, but odds are an NFL kicker will be in range. Especially with the defense having less opportunity to block it being further back.

Has anyone ever opted for this play? If so, when, and what was the result?

 

[GregR]

Ok, you're the ref. Or in some cases, a coach. Here are some unusual situations, you make the call. (ETA: Include the reason, don't just say incomplete or complete, but what made it so.) I'll add links to the first correct answer for each.

1) An eligible receiver is downfield. He jumps up and catches the ball. He get his right foot down in bounds. A hit by a defender keeps him from getting his left foot down, but he hops forward and his right foot touches in bounds a second time, before he steps out of bounds with his left foot. He controlled the ball the entire time and never went to the ground. What's the ref's call?

Out of bounds, incomplete pass. Must have both left and right foot touch in bounds, not the same foot consecutively.

2) The offense goes no huddle and runs 3 extra players (14 total) on the field. They all line up in formation. The quarterback surveys the field for a half dozen seconds, then barks out a call based on which 3 players leave the field, bringing their total back to 11.

Illegal formation

4) A receiver jumps up and catches a ball in the air. Before he lands, a defender grabs him out of the air, throws him over his shoulder, and runs a ways to the sideline and dumps him out of bounds. No part of the receiver touched in bounds after making the catch.

Out of bounds, incomplete pass. This rule changed in the last 10 years or so when they got rid of defensive momentum pushing an inbounds player out of bounds, which used to be a catch.

6) The defense has 12 men on the field during a goal line stand. The offense is moving to line up but are not in formation yet. A safety notices and steps out of the back of the end zone to leave the field so there are only 11 defenders. The offense lines up and snaps the ball.

Too many men on the field. Players must leave the play area along the sidelines between the goal lines.

8) Team A punts the ball. The returner for Team B does not make a fair catch signal this time. He lets the ball bounce. A kicking team player from Team A touches the ball, but fails to secure it. Team B's returner then picks up the ball off the turf and runs with it. He fumbles, and Team A recovers and runs it in for a touchdown.

Illegal Touching on Team A as soon as they're first to touch the punt. Team B can accept the penalty (ball at that spot) or the result of the play. Presumably, they take the penalty here.

#1 correct. People say "2 feet down" I'm guessing to highlight the difference to college's 1 foot down. But the actual NFL rule is "both feet". Touching the right one down twice will not make it a catch.

#2, I'm going to go ahead and supply the missing piece. The rule is you cannot have more than 11 men in the formation for more than three seconds. So in my description of them lining up in formation and the QB surveying the field for a half dozen seconds... the flag should get thrown three seconds into that. This was a new one for me. I didn't think they would stop the play before the snap for it unless it was too many in the huddle, etc.

#4 is wrong.

#6 you got the gist of the issue is that the player must leave the field on his own sideline. Though it would be illegal substitution, not too many men.

#8. Correct again. When the punting team touches the ball before the receiving team, it's actually a penalty called "first touching". It's just so common they don't bother to announce it. The receiving team can take the ball where it was touched, or can take the result of the play (a touchdown for Team A). People say "You don't have to worry about fumbling" just in that if you fumble you can have the entire play ignored and take it back at where it was first touched.

 

[GregR]

For #7, I believe it's a fair catch interference call against the kicking team. The kicking team can't touch the ball until it hits the ground after a muffed fair catch. I seem to remember it being called against the Steelers a couple years ago. Only wrinkle I'm not sure of is with it touching the 2nd player.

The "smart move" for #9 is probably (depending on how long the punt was) is going for the "free kick" shot at the field goal so there's no rush.

Correct on both counts.

After the fair catch signal, the punting team cannot touch the ball until it hits the ground. Even if the ball hits other players or the ref. Doing so is fair catch inteference and a 15 yard penalty.

#9 is also fair catch interference. Which is a 15 yard penalty, but it also means you are awarded a fair catch and can make a fair catch kick then if you wish. A fair catch kick can only be done after a fair catch. It's like a field goal, but there is no snap. The holder holds the ball where it is spotted, and the kicker kicks it from there rather than from 7 yards back like a FG. The defense has to line up 10 yards back from the ball, so you have a lot less chance of it being blocked. Granted, yes, it could have been a booming punt that even after 22 yards of advantage you're out of kicking range and have to run a Hail Mary, but odds are an NFL kicker will be in range. Especially with the defense having less opportunity to block it being further back.

Has anyone ever opted for this play? If so, when, and what was the result?

Arizona almost did like a decade ago when they had that super crazy good kicker with the extra long range. Would have been like a 70 yarder, but with no time on the clock it was their only way to win. Either he missed it, or, there was a penalty that nullified it. Can't remember.

Neil Rackers 68-yards. It ended up being a horrific shank.

Dawson tried a 71-yarder for the 49ers too apparently.

 

[GregR]

Wikipedia has a complete list: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_catch_kick#Known_attempts_in_the_NFL

4 since 2005, but the last one made was Ray Wershing in the 70s.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Ok, you're the ref. Or in some cases, a coach. Here are some unusual situations, you make the call. I'll add links to the first correct answer for each.

1) An eligible receiver is downfield. He jumps up and catches the ball. He get his right foot down in bounds. A hit by a defender keeps him from getting his left foot down, but he hops forward and his right foot touches in bounds a second time, before he steps out of bounds with his left foot. He controlled the ball the entire time and never went to the ground. What's the ref's call?

...

This is a trick, right?

No tricks. What do you think the call should be?

My impression was the call should be incomplete, need to have both feet or a part of the body hitting the ground in bounds.

The "trick" I sensed is this is too easy and maybe the rule book really says something like "two feet" or "two steps" or something to that effect.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Ok, you're the ref. Or in some cases, a coach. Here are some unusual situations, you make the call. (ETA: Include the reason, don't just say incomplete or complete, but what made it so.) I'll add links to the first correct answer for each.

...9) Team A has 4th down from their own 1 yard line, leading by 1 point with 3 seconds left in the game, and they send out their punting unit rather than risk a safety. The returner waves for a fair catch, but a player from Team A tackles him before the ball gets there, resulting in the ball hitting the turf and bouncing out of bounds with time expired. What is the call by the ref? What should Team B's coach do?

Answered by apalmer.

...

I knew this one (couldn't read the questions earlier). But I would love to see this in a game I'm at one day.

 

[GregR]

Ok, you're the ref. Or in some cases, a coach. Here are some unusual situations, you make the call. (ETA: Include the reason, don't just say incomplete or complete, but what made it so.) I'll add links to the first correct answer for each.

...9) Team A has 4th down from their own 1 yard line, leading by 1 point with 3 seconds left in the game, and they send out their punting unit rather than risk a safety. The returner waves for a fair catch, but a player from Team A tackles him before the ball gets there, resulting in the ball hitting the turf and bouncing out of bounds with time expired. What is the call by the ref? What should Team B's coach do?

Answered by apalmer.

...

I knew this one (couldn't read the questions earlier). But I would love to see this in a game I'm at one day.

I saw the one Rob Bironas missed against the Texans. Season tickets.

 

[ragnarok628]

4) A forward pass is complete when a receiver clearly possesses the pass and touches the ground with both feet inbounds while in possession of the ball. If a receiver would have landed inbounds with both feet but is carried or pushed out of bounds while maintaining possession of the ball, pass is complete at the out-of-bounds spot.

 

[GregR]

Ok, you're the ref. Or in some cases, a coach. Here are some unusual situations, you make the call. I'll add links to the first correct answer for each.

1) An eligible receiver is downfield. He jumps up and catches the ball. He get his right foot down in bounds. A hit by a defender keeps him from getting his left foot down, but he hops forward and his right foot touches in bounds a second time, before he steps out of bounds with his left foot. He controlled the ball the entire time and never went to the ground. What's the ref's call?

...

This is a trick, right?

No tricks. What do you think the call should be?

My impression was the call should be incomplete, need to have both feet or a part of the body hitting the ground in bounds.

The "trick" I sensed is this is too easy and maybe the rule book really says something like "two feet" or "two steps" or something to that effect.

A lot of people will say complete because they always hear "2 feet" and think then that 1 foot down twice would count.

#10 is one I really like. It was one I had no idea about. I was confirming some of the others in the rule book when I saw it.

 

[Pipes]

Ok, you're the ref. Or in some cases, a coach. Here are some unusual situations, you make the call. I'll add links to the first correct answer for each.

1) An eligible receiver is downfield. He jumps up and catches the ball. He get his right foot down in bounds. A hit by a defender keeps him from getting his left foot down, but he hops forward and his right foot touches in bounds a second time, before he steps out of bounds with his left foot. He controlled the ball the entire time and never went to the ground. What's the ref's call?

...

This is a trick, right?

Is this scenario even physically possible?

 

[GregR]

4) A forward pass is complete when a receiver clearly possesses the pass and touches the ground with both feet inbounds while in possession of the ball. If a receiver would have landed inbounds with both feet but is carried or pushed out of bounds while maintaining possession of the ball, pass is complete at the out-of-bounds spot.

I'll go ahead and give the answer here. What you have above looks like the old rule. It used to be if you were pushed or carried out it was still a catch if they thought you would have got both feet down.

With the current version of the rule if the receiver is pushed and doesn't get his feet down, that doesn't make it a catch any longer.

But, this scenario he wasn't pushed, he was carried. And the current version still awards a completion for carrying out of bounds. The rule reads:

Item 6: Carried Out of Bounds. If a player, who is in possession of the ball, is held up and carried out of bounds by an opponent before both feet or any part of his body other than his hands touches the ground inbounds, it is a completed or intercepted pass.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Ok, you're the ref. Or in some cases, a coach. Here are some unusual situations, you make the call. (ETA: Include the reason, don't just say incomplete or complete, but what made it so.) I'll add links to the first correct answer for each.

...

10) Similar situation, Team A with 4th down on their own 1 yard line and 3 seconds left on the clock, except this time they are up by 6 points. Team B goes for the block but the punter gets it off. The punt returner from Team B tries to get to the ball but stumbles and falls, resulting in the ball bouncing on the ground and Team A downing the ball with time expired.

...

Ok, I will take a crack at this one.

That's not a muff, just seems like a downed punt since no one touched it. As time is expired I am guessing Team B does not get a free kick. OTOH I know on kickoffs the clock starts running when the player advances the ball (ie not a caught fair catch), if the returner doesn't touch the ball then no time expires (I believe). On a punt the punter has touched the ball in live action, it's like a pass, so I would think the time expires and no chance for a free kick.

A: time expires and no chance for a free kick, it's halftime or end of regulation.

 

[GregR]

Ok, you're the ref. Or in some cases, a coach. Here are some unusual situations, you make the call. I'll add links to the first correct answer for each.

1) An eligible receiver is downfield. He jumps up and catches the ball. He get his right foot down in bounds. A hit by a defender keeps him from getting his left foot down, but he hops forward and his right foot touches in bounds a second time, before he steps out of bounds with his left foot. He controlled the ball the entire time and never went to the ground. What's the ref's call?

...

This is a trick, right?

Is this scenario even physically possible?

I haven't seen it happen yet, but it's definitely possible.

Take this play from 2012 for Victor Cruz that got a lot of attention because the NFL blew it in not reviewing it. Jump ahead to about the 1 minute mark.

He gets 1 foot down, gets hit by the defender and his 2nd foot never touches the ground. He doesn't hop on the first foot again in lunging for the goal line, but it's not hard to envision a version of that play near the sideline where he might have.

 

[GregR]

Ok, you're the ref. Or in some cases, a coach. Here are some unusual situations, you make the call. (ETA: Include the reason, don't just say incomplete or complete, but what made it so.) I'll add links to the first correct answer for each.

...

10) Similar situation, Team A with 4th down on their own 1 yard line and 3 seconds left on the clock, except this time they are up by 6 points. Team B goes for the block but the punter gets it off. The punt returner from Team B tries to get to the ball but stumbles and falls, resulting in the ball bouncing on the ground and Team A downing the ball with time expired.

...

Ok, I will take a crack at this one.

That's not a muff, just seems like a downed punt since no one touched it. As time is expired I am guessing Team B does not get a free kick. OTOH I know on kickoffs the clock starts running when the player advances the ball (ie not a caught fair catch), if the returner doesn't touch the ball then no time expires (I believe). On a punt the punter has touched the ball in live action, it's like a pass, so I would think the time expires and no chance for a free kick.

A: time expires and no chance for a free kick, it's halftime or end of regulation.

You are correct about time is expired, and there was no fair catch so no chance for a fair catch kick.

But the game isn't over yet, no.

Why?

 

[GregR]

Does that First Touching penalty make it a defensive penalty, so they get 1 untimed down?

Bingo.

Since they snapped the ball they are actually considered the offense in the rules, but there are some offensive penalties that will extend a half as well, and first touching is one of them.

This is another one I learned while making the other questions.

ARTICLE 2. PERIOD EXTENDED. At the election of the opponent, a period may be extended for one untimed down, if any of

the following occurs during a down during which time in the period expires:

..

(b) If there is a foul by the offense, there shall be no extension of the period. If the foul occurs on the last play of the half, a

score by the offense is not counted. However, the period may be extended for an untimed down, upon the request of the

defense, if the offensive team’s foul is for:

(1) illegal touching of a kick;

Note: The period may also be extended for a “first touching” violation.

(2) fair-catch interference;

(3) a palpably unfair act;

(4) a personal foul or unsportsmanlike conduct foul committed prior to an interception of a forward pass, the recovery of

a backward pass or fumble, or offensive team failing to reach the line to gain on fourth down; or

(5) a foul by the kicking team prior to a player of the receiving team securing possession of the ball during a down in

which there is a safety kick, a scrimmage kick, or a free kick.

 

[GregR]

So if a team is punting in that situation, a rule-savy coach should tell his punt coverage team not to down the ball under any circumstances. if they do, the opponent can try a Hail Mary.

Instead they should just let the ball rest and if neither team makes an attempt to recover it, the refs will blow the play dead after the ball has come to rest.

The receiving team could also try to use it to their advantage. You'd have to hope the opponent didn't teach their punt coverage about it... and if the punt was anywhere near the sideline you wouldn't want to risk it bouncing out of bounds.

 

[Anarchy99]

Is #12 the unicorn of football plays . . . the one point safety?

Correct! The illegal batting results in a safety. Any safety on a Try is awarded 1 point.

I need to get out more, as I knew that one as soon as I read it.

 

[GregR]

5) A tight end leaves the field at the end of the previous play. The offense huddles with 10 players. They break the huddle and line up. A wide receiver on the sideline steps a foot in bounds and waits there for the snap, hoping to go unnoticed by the defense. The formation is valid and when allowed the offense snaps the ball.

11) Team A lines up to punt on 4th down. They run a trick play and throw a pass to one of the gunners. A Team B player hits the gunner while the pass is in the air but clearly before it arrives, preventing the catch.

So just #5 and #11 left to go.

#5, the ref should allow the defense to substitute first so you can argue it's not a good trick play. But worse, it's an actual penalty which is why I came up with it. Anyone know why?

#11, I said previous answers of pass interference were wrong. It's a perfectly legal play, so the only thing to get is, why isn't it pass inteference?

 

[GregR]

5) A tight end leaves the field at the end of the previous play. The offense huddles with 10 players. They break the huddle and line up. A wide receiver on the sideline steps a foot in bounds and waits there for the snap, hoping to go unnoticed by the defense. The formation is valid and when allowed the offense snaps the ball.

11) Team A lines up to punt on 4th down. They run a trick play and throw a pass to one of the gunners. A Team B player hits the gunner while the pass is in the air but clearly before it arrives, preventing the catch.

So just #5 and #11 left to go.

#5, the ref should allow the defense to substitute first so you can argue it's not a good trick play. But worse, it's an actual penalty which is why I came up with it. Anyone know why?

#11, I said previous answers of pass interference were wrong. It's a perfectly legal play, so the only thing to get is, why isn't it pass inteference?

#5... players coming in must move in further when entering play. I think to the hash mark lines? So it's an illegal substitution.

#11... Jamming the gunners is legal, it's not the defender's fault he doesn't know it's a trick play. No PI.

Yep, correct on both.

#5 is an illegal substitution, the player has to "move onto the field of play or the end zone as far as the inside of the field numerals prior to the snap".

And #11 if the opponent is in a punting formation, you can commit pass interference and illegal contact on the gunners. Though you still cannot hold them.

 

[BroadwayG]

Too bad IBM doesn't do these on MNF still

 

[Das Boot]

Great questions and answers, I really enjoyed them and definitely learned a few rules I didn't know.

 

[ZWK]

1) An eligible receiver is downfield. He jumps up and catches the ball. He get his right foot down in bounds. A hit by a defender keeps him from getting his left foot down, but he hops forward and his right foot touches in bounds a second time, before he steps out of bounds with his left foot. He controlled the ball the entire time and never went to the ground. What's the ref's call?

Answered by Walking Boot.

Spoiler

Incomplete. People say "2 feet down" I'm guessing to highlight the difference to college's 1 foot down. But the actual NFL rule is "both feet". Touching the right one down twice will not make it a catch.

Ben Watson just pulled this one against Carolina. Originally called incorrectly, overturned on replay.