Rules of the Game – The Ransom Report – Edition 9.2
Tagged under: Coaches Corner, News, Officiating
Kevin Ransom | October 20, 2023
October 29th 2023
EDITION – 9.2
Last night I was at a local Junior High Game. I was working in the concession stand. After the game a couple of the officials stopped by to grab a hotdog and Gatorade for the ride home. Because I am a friendly guy, I struck up a conversation with these officials. A younger guy…..likely around 30, was smiling ear to ear. He just worked his first game as the Head Referee. He wore the White Hat for the first time ever. He was asking myself and the rest of the crew how he did, what he could do better and even how his signals looked. He had the look of true enjoyment. If possible, he was smiling bigger and brighter than the players and parents of the winning team.
I share this story to illustrate that every football game involves three teams: the visiting team, the home team, and the officials. A score is kept measuring the success of the home and away teams, but no score is kept gauging the success of the officials. However, the officials prepare and practice for the contest as much as any football team.
There is no final score letting the official know if they “won”. The only thing they can do is look inward and self-reflect on how they did. The perfect game has never been worked by an official, but every official continues to strive to catch the perfect game.
The pursuit is maddening and forever rewarding all at the same time.
With that in mind, let’s take a moment to review fouls during a change of possession. Some very interesting (and confusing) situations can easily arise.
PLAY #1
It is 2nd and 8 from the Offense’s 32-yard line. The quarterback throws a forward pass to the Defenses 45-yard line where it is intercepted by the cornerback. The cornerback runs the ball back to the Offense’s 20-yard line where he is pushed out of bounds. During the return a defensive player blocks an offensive player in the back at the Offense’s 30-yard line.
PLAY #2
It is 2nd and 8 from the Offense’s 32-yard line. The quarterback throws a forward pass to the Defenses 45-yard line where it is intercepted by the cornerback. The cornerback runs the ball back to the Offense’s 20-yard line where he is pushed out of bounds. Prior to the change of possession, an offensive tackle holds a defensive tackle at the Offense’s 30-yard line.
PLAY #3
It is 2nd and 8 from the Offense’s 32-yard line. The quarterback throws a forward pass to the Defenses 45-yard line where it is intercepted by the cornerback. The cornerback runs the ball back to the Offense’s 20-yard line where he is pushed out of bounds. Prior to the change of possession, a defensive cornerback is called for Pass Interference at the Offense’s 42-yard line.
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: A foul for a Block in the Back is obviously called. Since the defense obtained the ball without doing anything wrong (Officials call this “With Clean Hands”) then the defense will keep possession of the ball. However, the foul for a Block in the Back is enforced. The enforcement spot is the spot of the foul. The result of this play is 1st and 10 for the defense at the Offense’s 40-yard line.
Play #2: A foul for a Hold is obviously called. Since the defense obtained the ball without doing anything wrong then the defense will keep possession of the ball. Due to enforcement rules, the Defense will be required to decline the Offensive Holding foul to keep possession of the ball. The result of this play will be 1st and 10 for the defense at the Offense’s 20-yard line.
Play #3: A foul for Defensive Pass Interference is obviously called. Since the defense obtained the ball while doing something wrong (“With Dirty Hands”) then the defense will NOT keep possession of the ball. The foul for Defensive Pass Interference will be enforced from the previous spot. The result will be a 1st and 10 for the Offensive at the Offense’s 47-yard line.
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