Rules of the Game: The Ransom report – Edition 2
Tagged under: Coaches Corner, News
Kevin Ransom | September 1, 2023
September 1st 2023
EDITION – 2
Week 2 of the PIAA football season is upon us; and with that comes the second edition of the Ransom Report.
If you have ever opened the PIAA rules book (or case book) you probably noticed that the language used is a bit different than how you might discuss football with friends. The Rules Book and Case Book are cumbersome to many casual fans. On the field and in chapter meetings officials use the same type of language found in these books. However, in this column we will use more casual language so that all can easily understand the rules being discussed.
During this week’s edition we are going to take a practical look at the new rules for the 2023 season. Last week I introduced these new rule changes. Refer to them if needed.
PLAY #1
It is 2nd and 10. The ball is on the Offense’s 30-yard line. The Quarterback throws a forward pass to his Wide Receiver who catches it at his own 35-yard line. He runs to his own 45-yard line where he is tackled by the defense in bounds. During the play, an offensive lineman is called for holding at his own 26-yard line.
PLAY #2
It is 3rd and 4 from the Defenses 30-yard line. The Quarterback takes the snap, hands it off to his Running Back who is looking downfield to find an open receiver. This is a planned “Halfback Pass.” The Running Back is being pressured by the defense and his receivers are well covered. To avoid the tackle for a loss, he throws the ball from the defense’s 36 yard line, it travels past the Line of Scrimmage but out of bounds and well away from any possible eligible receiver.
YOU MAKE THE CALL!!!
Interested in becoming a PIAA Football official? Contact the PIAA or any local official. They can help you get started. Have a question about this column? I can be reached at kevinransom95@hotmail.com
ANSWERS:
Play #1: There is a foul for holding. Clearly the foul will be accepted. The next play will be from the Offense’s 20-yard line because the enforcement spot for the penalty is from the Line of Scrimmage. This means it will now be 2nd and 20. The clock will start on the “ready for play.” In previous years the enforcement spot for this foul would have been the spot of the hold (The Offense’s 26-yard line). This was one of the major changes for this year.
Play #2: This is a foul for an illegal forward pass. A Quarterback is allowed to “throw the ball away” assuming that certain criteria are met. All other players are not allowed to do this. This would result in a 5-yard penalty from the spot of the foul. This foul also carries a loss of down. This would result in the next play being 4th and 15 from the Defense’s 41-yard line. Last year any player could “throw the ball away”. Prior to last year, no player could “throw the ball away.” This is also a change for this year.
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