Instant Replay - Passes

Question 1

Process complete
Third-and-5 on A30. Pass over the middle to the B45 is ruled incomplete. Replay shows that receiver A2 had his hands under the
ball and it never hit the ground.

Answer 1

Ruling: Reviewable. Pass is complete, A’s ball first-and-10 on B45. Wind clock on ready.

Question 2

Does not complete process
Third-and-5 on A30. Pass over middle is ruled complete at the B45. Replays show that the ball hit the ground before the receiver
gained control.

Answer 2

Ruling: Reviewable. Incomplete pass. A’s ball fourth-and-5 on A30. Reset the clock to the time when the ball hit the ground.

Question 3

No advance allowed
Third-and-10 on 50. Pass to the B30-yard line is close to the ground as defender B1 attempts to intercept it. B1 knocks the ball
into the air, A2 catches it and runs for a touchdown, but the Back Judge comes in and rules the pass incomplete. Replays show
that the ball never hit the ground.

Answer 3

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball first-and-10 on B30. Reset the clock to the time when A2 caught the ball, and wind clock on the
ready-for-play. In this situation, the ball is dead where A2 gained possession, and no advance can be given.

Question 4

Pass Complete at goal line
Second-and-5 on B15. A1 throws a pass to A2, who catches the ball at the B3 and dives into the end zone while being tackled by
B1. Officials rule that A2’s foot touched out of bounds and rule an incomplete pass. Team A challenges the ruling. Replays show
that A2 controlled the ball with two feet inbounds at the B3-yard line and stretched the ball over the goal line while diving before
being down by contact.

Answer 4

Ruling: Reviewable. Touchdown A. Reset the clock to the time when the ball crossed the goal line. When creating a catch in
replay, a touchdown can be awarded if the receiver takes fewer than two steps after catching the ball before crossing the goal
line.

Question 5

Ball touches ground without control before completing catch
Third-and-5 on A30. Pass over middle is ruled complete at the B45. Replays show that the receiver controlled the ball while falling
to the ground, but when his upper body hit, the nose of the ball touched the ground and then he lost control of it.

Answer 5

Ruling: Reviewable. Incomplete. A’s ball fourth-and-5 on A30. Reset the clock to the time when the ball hit the ground. Receiver
is going to the ground and must maintain control of the ball until after his initial contact with the ground. If the ball touches the
ground without control before the receiver completes the elements of a catch, the pass is incomplete.

Question 6

Process complete before ball comes loose
Third-and-10 on A20. Pass over the middle is ruled incomplete at the A30. The receiver controlled the pass, got both feet
completely on the ground and after taking a third step was hit, causing him to fall and lose control of the ball when he fell to the
ground.

Answer 6

Ruling: Reviewable. Completed pass and down by contact. A’s ball first-and-10 on A30. The receiver had completed the catch
and was down by contact before the ball came loose.

Question 7

Process complete before losing ball comes loose
Third-and-10 on A20. Pass over the middle is ruled incomplete at the A30. The receiver controlled the pass with one foot down
and was then contacted by a defender. As he went to the ground, he got his second foot down and then, still in control of the ball,
he reached out for the line to gain, losing the ball when he fell to the ground.

Answer 7

Ruling: Reviewable. Completed pass and down by contact. A’s ball first-and-10 on A30. The receiver controlled the ball, took two
steps, and performed an act common to the game when he reached out for the line to gain.

Question 8

Possession of pass
First-and-10 on A20. Both A2 and B3 jump up to catch a pass at the A45. Both players go to the ground and A2 ends up with the
ball and the pass is ruled complete. Replays show that B3 completed the catch and A2 pulled it free after both players were on
the ground. Team B attempts to challenge that the pass was intercepted.

Answer 8

Ruling: Reviewable. B’s ball first-and-10 on A45. Reset the clock to the time when B3 was down by contact. This play is reviewable
in the field of play and the end zone. Can also review whether the pass was complete or incomplete.

Question 9

Simultaneous catch
First-and-10 on A20. Both A2 and B3 jump up to catch a pass at the A45. Both players go to the ground and B3 ends up with the
ball and the pass is ruled intercepted. Replays show that the catch was simultaneous.

Answer 9

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball first-and-10 on A45. Reset the clock to the time when A2 caught the ball and was down by contact,
and wind clock on the ready-for-play. A simultaneous catch in the field of play is reviewable. Can also review whether the pass
was complete or incomplete. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play.

Question 10

Both feet down inbounds
Third-and-10 on A30. A2 controls a pass near the sideline and gets both feet down inbounds at the 50-yard line and maintains
control as he goes out of bounds. The officials rule the pass incomplete.

Answer 10

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball first-and-10 on 50. Completed pass.

Question 11

Foot drag, pass complete
Third-and-10 on A30. A2 controls a pass and gets his left foot down in bounds at the 50. As his right foot comes down, he drags
his toes inbounds and then the foot hits out of bounds. Officials rule incomplete.

Answer 11

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball first-and-10 on 50. Completed pass.

Question 12

Heel/toe
Third-and-10 on A30. A2 controls a pass and gets his left foot down in bounds at the 50. As his right foot comes down, the heel
hits in bounds and in the normal motion of taking a step, his toes hit out of bounds. Officials rule complete.

Answer 12

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball fourth-and-10 on A30. Incomplete. Adjust clock if wound before review. If any part of the foot hits out
of bounds during the normal process of taking a step (no drag or delay), then the foot is out of bounds.

Question 13

No force-out
Second-and-10 on 50. Pass goes to A2 near the sideline at the B35. A2 controls the ball while airborne, but before he can get
both feet down, he is knocked out of bounds by defender B3 where he maintains control of the ball when he lands. Official rules
complete.

Answer 13

Ruling: Reviewable. Incomplete pass. A’s ball third-and-10 on 50. Adjust clock if wound before review. For the pass to be complete
in this situation, the receiver must be carried out of bounds by the defender.

Question 14

Receiver who is out of bounds making catch
First-and-10 on A20. Wide Receiver A1 leaps and catches a legal forward pass at the 50 and runs for a touchdown. Replays show
A1’s left foot on the sideline right before he jumped.

Answer 14

Ruling: Reviewable. Incomplete pass, A’s ball second-and-10 on A20. Reset game clock to the time when the receiver touched
the ball. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play.

Question 15

Pass complete, no advance
First-and-10 on A20. QBA1 throws a pass to A2 who leaps at the A35-yard line near the sideline, makes the catch and runs for a
touchdown. Officials rule A2 was out of bounds before making the catch and did not re-establish in bounds, making the pass
incomplete. Replays show that A2 was never out of bounds.

Answer 15

Ruling: Reviewable. Complete pass. A’s ball first-and-10 on A35. On these plays, replay can award a catch, but not the advance,
since the original ruling was incomplete. Reset the clock to the time when A2 caught the ball, and wind clock on the ready-for-play.

Question 16

Receiver loses control, ball hits ground
First-and-10 on A20. QBA1 throws a pass to A2 at the A35-yard line near the sideline. A2 gains control of the ball and gets both
feet down in bounds, but does not perform an act common to the game as he falls to the ground, where he loses the ball when he
hits the ground. Officials rule complete.

Answer 16

Ruling: Reviewable. Incomplete Pass. A’s ball second-and-10 on A20. Reset the clock to the time when the ball hit the ground.
Receiver did not complete all elements of the catch before losing control when he contacted the ground.

Question 17

Receiver loses control at sideline, ball does not hit ground
First-and-10 on A20. QBA1 throws a pass to A2 at the A35 near the sideline. A2 gains control of the ball and gets two feet down
in bounds, but does not perform an act common to the game as he falls to the ground out of bounds. A2 momentarily loses control
of the ball when he hits the ground out of bounds. He regains control before the ball touches the ground. Officials rule complete.

Answer 17

Ruling: Reviewable. Incomplete Pass. A’s ball second-and-10 on A20. Adjust clock if wound before review. Receiver did not
complete all elements of the catch, so he must maintain control of the ball through his contact with the ground. If he is touching
the sideline, any loss of control during the process of the catch makes the pass incomplete.

Question 18

Defender out of bounds
First-and-10 on A20. QBA1 throws a pass to A2 near the sideline at the A35. A2 and B2 jump up to catch the pass, A2 comes
down inbounds, but B2’s left foot hits the sideline before the rest of his body lands in bounds. Officials rule an incomplete pass.

Answer 18

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball first-and-10 on A35. Because A2 completed the process of the catch inbounds and was in control of
the ball when B2 touched the sideline, this is a completed pass.

Question 19

Down by contact
First-and-10 on A20. QBA1 scrambles to the A17 where he is hit by B3 and stumbles as he releases a pass that falls incomplete
at the A30. The Referee rules that the A1’s left knee was down before he released the ball. Replays show that he was still up
when he threw the pass.

Answer 19

Ruling: Not reviewable. A’s ball second-and-13 on A17. When a player is ruled down by contact, replay cannot make it a pass
(forward or backward).

Question 20

Out of bounds
First-and-10 on A20. QBA1 scrambles near the sideline to the A17 and throws a pass that is caught by A2 at the A30. The Referee
rules that the QB’s left foot was out of bounds before he released the ball. Replays show that his foot was not out of bounds.

Answer 20

Ruling: Not reviewable. A’s ball second-and-13 on A17. On this type of play, when a player is ruled out of bounds, replay cannot
make it a pass (forward or backward).

Question 21

Receiver performs act common to the game
Second-and-9 on A18. QBA1 throws a pass to A2 at the A31. A2 controls the ball and just as his second foot touches the ground,
he is contacted by a defender, and he then takes a third step while being tackled. Before the receiver hits the ground, the defender
pulls the ball loose. B3 recovers the loose ball at the A35. Officials rule incomplete.

Answer 21

Ruling: Reviewable. Completed pass and fumble. B’s ball first-and-10 on A35. Because the receiver secured control, took two
steps, and then took a third step, the process of the catch was complete before the ball came loose.

Question 22

Receiver performs an act common to the game
First-and-10 on A20. QBA1 throws a forward pass to A2 at the A35-yard line. A2 catches it and is hit by a defender causing him
to lose the ball, and B3 falls on it at the A35. Officials rule the pass complete and a fumble. Replays show the receiver had control,
two feet completely down, and turned up field before he was hit causing him to lose the ball.

Answer 22

Ruling: Reviewable, if the receiver secures control of the ball, touches the ground with two feet or another body part (other than
his hands), and then performs an act common to the game before losing control of the ball, it is a catch and fumble in the field of
play. B’s ball first-and-10 on A35. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play.

Question 23

Receiver does not perform an act common to the game
First-and-10 on A20. QBA1 throws a forward pass to A2 at the A28 who takes two steps and immediately gets hit by a defender
causing him to lose the ball and B3 falls on it at the A35. Officials rule the pass complete and a fumble. Replays show that the
receiver lost the ball just as his second foot hit the ground.

Answer 23

Ruling: Reviewable, incomplete pass. A’s ball second-and-10 on A20, reset the clock to the time when the ball hit the ground.
Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play.

Question 24

Does not establish control, incomplete
First-and-10 on A20. QBA1 throws a forward pass to A2 at the A28 who takes two steps and gets hit by a defender. The ball
comes out and B3 falls on it. Officials rule the pass complete and a fumble and give the ball to B. Replays show that A2 did not
secure control of the ball before he got hit.

Answer 24

Ruling: Reviewable. Incomplete pass, A’s ball second-and-10 on A20. Reset the clock to the time when the ball hit the ground,
and start on snap. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play.

Question 25

Clear recovery Second-and-6 on B35. QBA1 throws a forward pass to A2 at the B27 who takes three steps and then is hit by a defender, causing him to lose the ball and B3 falls on it at the B25. Officials rule the pass incomplete.

Answer 25

Ruling: Reviewable, B’s ball first-and-10 on B25. The defense can gain possession if there is evidence of a clear recovery.

Question 26

Completed pass, no clear recovery First-and-10 on A20. QBA1 throws a forward pass to A2 near the sideline. A2 gains control of the ball, takes two steps, turns up field, and is then hit by a defender causing him to lose the ball at the A40. The loose ball is not recovered by any player. Officials rule the pass incomplete.

Answer 26

Ruling: Reviewable, A’s ball first-and-10 on A40, wind clock. There is no clear recovery, so the ball is awarded to Team A at the spot where possession was lost.

Question 27

Performs an act common to the game First-and-goal on B5. A1 clearly controls a pass in the end zone with both hands above his head, gets two feet completely down and tucks the ball under his arm before B3 knocks it loose. Officials rule the pass incomplete.

Answer 27

Ruling: Reviewable. Touchdown. Reset the clock to the time when A1 caught the ball. If the receiver maintains control of the ball long enough to perform an act common to the game, then it is a catch and score.

Question 28

Process complete before losing control First-and-goal on B5. A1 clearly controls a pass in the end zone, gets two feet completely down, tucks the ball and starts to turn before he is hit by a defender, causing him to go to the ground where he loses possession of the ball. Officials rule the pass incomplete.

Answer 28

Ruling: Reviewable. Touchdown. If the receiver maintains control of the ball long enough to perform an act common to the game before he loses control of the ball, it is a catch and score.

Question 29

Does not perform an act common to the game First-and-goal on B5. A1 clearly controls a pass in the end zone, gets one foot down and just as his second foot hits the ground, he loses the ball and remains upright. Officials rule the pass incomplete.

Answer 29

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball second-and-goal on B5. Incomplete pass. In this situation, the receiver did not perform an act common to the game, or maintain control of the ball long enough to do so, after his second foot touched the ground.

Question 30

Must perform an act common to the game after touching the ground with two feet or another body part First-and-goal on B5. A1 controls a pass near the goal line, gets one foot down, and stretches the ball out over the goal line. The ball is knocked loose just as his second foot touches the ground. The officials rule the pass complete and award a touchdown.

Answer 30

Ruling: Reviewable. Incomplete pass. A receiver must perform an act common to the game after touching the ground with two feet or a body part other than his hands. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play.

Question 31

Body part touching pylon Third-and-10 on B25. Wide receiver A2 controls a pass and gets his left foot down inbounds in the field of play, but replays show that his right foot hits the pylon before hitting the ground inbounds in the end zone with the ball breaking the plane of the goal line. Officials rule incomplete pass.

Answer 31

Ruling: Reviewable. Touchdown. Touching a pylon with any part of his body does not put a player out of bounds.

Question 32

Ball touching pylon while in player control Third-and-10 on B25. Wide receiver A2 controls a pass and gets his left foot down inbounds in the field of play. He reaches for the pylon and the ball touches it before his right foot comes down inbounds in the end zone. Officials rule an incomplete pass.

Answer 32

Ruling: Reviewable. Touchdown. Reset the clock to the time when A2’s second foot touched the ground. When a loose ball in player control touches a pylon, it is not out of bounds even though the process of the catch is not yet complete (3-21-3). If the ball was not in player control, it would be incomplete.

Question 33

Driven back into field of play, maintains control Third-and-goal on B5. Airborne receiver A2 controls a pass in the end zone where he gets contacted by a defender and driven back into the field of play where he lands and holds onto the ball. Officials rule pass complete at the B1-yard line.

Answer 33

Ruling: Reviewable. Touchdown A. If the receiver completes the catch, he will be awarded a TD. Reset the clock to the time when A2 completed the catch.

Question 34

Continuous control after contact Third-and-goal on B5. Airborne receiver A2 controls a pass in the end zone where he gets contacted by a defender and driven back into the field of play where he falls to the ground. When A2 got hit, he lost control of the ball and did not regain it until he landed on the ground at the B1. Replays show that the ball did not hit the ground. Officials rule TD.

Answer 34

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball fourth-and-goal on B1. Reset the clock to the time when A2 was down by contact, and wind the clock on the ready-for-play. The receiver must maintain continuous control after the contact in order to be awarded a score in this situation. If the ball hit the ground while loose, it would be an incomplete pass if the receiver did not complete the elements of a catch. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play.

Question 35

No forward progress Third-and-goal on B5. Airborne receiver A2 controls a pass in the end zone and comes back into the field of play, untouched by a defender, where he lands and is tackled at the B2-yard line. Officials rule TD.

Answer 35

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball fourth-and-goal on B2. Reset the clock to the time when A2 was down by contact, and wind the clock on the ready-for-play. Since the receiver was airborne and came back into the field of play on his own, he must get the ball back into the end zone for it to be a TD. If he got two feet down in the end zone with control and the ball breaking the plane of the goal line, then it would be a touchdown even though he completed the process of the catch in the field of play. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play

Question 36

Hand coming forward with control First-and-10 on A20. QBA1 is hit while passing and loses the ball. B1 recovers the ball and returns it for a touchdown. Replays show A1’s hand going forward with control of the ball and that he lost it before he began to bring it back to his body.

Answer 36

Ruling: Reviewable. Incomplete forward pass, A’s ball second-and-10 on A20. Reset the clock to the time when the ball hit the ground. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play.

Question 37

Fumble First-and-10 on B20. QBA1 starts to bring his hand forward to throw a forward pass to receiver A3. After realizing that A3 is covered, A1 starts to bring the ball back toward his body, but before he gets it all the way back, he loses it and B77 recovers at the B27. The Referee rules an incomplete pass.

Answer 37

Ruling: Reviewable. Fumble, B’s ball first-and-10 on B27. Reset the clock to the time when B77 recovered the fumble.

Question 38

Fumble with clear recovery, no advance allowed Second-and-10 on A25. QBA1 is hit at the A22 while attempting to throw a forward pass. The ball hits the ground at the A20 and B1 recovers it there and starts to run with it, but the Referee rules incomplete pass. Replays show it was a fumble.

Answer 38

Ruling: Reviewable. B’s ball first-and-10 on A20, no advance allowed.

Question 39

No clear recovery Second-and-12 on A8. QBA1 is hit while attempting to throw a forward pass, the ball hits the ground, and the Referee rules it an incomplete pass. The ball was thrown from: (a) the end zone; or (b) from the A2. The loose ball goes into a pile of players from both teams at the A5. Replays show that it was a fumble. B challenges the play.

Answer 39

Rulings: (a) Reviewable. A’s ball third-and-19 on A1. Although possession was lost in the end zone, the ball was recovered in the field of play even though it is not clear which team recovered the ball, so Team A is awarded the ball at the A1-yard line. If the ball was clearly recovered in the end zone, it would be a safety. Team B is not charged a timeout. If this play occurs on fourth down or after the two-minute warning, it would be a safety if QBA1 clearly did not recover the ball. (b) Reviewable. A’s ball third-and-18 on A2. Because there is no clear recovery, Team A is awarded the ball at the spot where possession was lost. Team B is not charged a timeout.

Question 40

No forward passing motion Second-and-10 on A20. QBA1 is under pressure, and he brings the ball up towards his head to avoid a defender. He gets hit and the impact causes his hand to go forward, and he loses the ball and B recovers at the A17. Officials rule fumble.

Answer 40

Ruling: Reviewable, B’s ball first-and-10 on A17. The QB was not attempting to pass when he lost the ball, so it is a fumble regardless of whether his hand went forward or not. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play

Question 41

Intentional grounding Second-and-10 on A20. QBA1 who is standing in the pocket at the A15 throws the ball into the ground at the A23 to avoid a sack. There are no eligible receivers in the area where the ball hit the ground. The Referee rules fumble and B3 recovers the ball.

Answer 41

Ruling: Reviewable, A’s ball third-and-10 on A20, reset the clock to the time when the ball hit the ground. This is an incomplete pass, but replay cannot create a foul for intentional grounding. The only way a foul for intentional grounding can be enforced in this situation is if the Referee threw his flag and picked it up, or before the review made an announcement that grounding would be enforced if the fumble ruling is reversed to an incomplete pass. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play.

Question 42

QB spike First-and-10 on B33. After completing a pass in the field of play, Team A lines up and QBA1 attempts to spike the ball to stop the clock. He loses control of the ball before his hand comes forward and it hits the ground where B7 recovers it. The Referee rules incomplete pass.

Answer 42

Ruling: Reviewable. B’s ball first-and-10 on B33. Replay can award possession to the recovering team in this situation. If there is no clear recovery, Team A is awarded the ball at the spot of the fumble and there would be a 10-second runoff if the snap happened after the two-minute warning. On an attempted QB spike, replay can review whether it was a pass or a fumble, but cannot review whether the pass was forward or backward.

Question 43

Backward pass, clear recovery First-and-10 on A20. QBA1 throws a pass from the A15-yard line that is ruled forward and incomplete. B7 thinking the pass was backward, falls on the loose ball at the A14. Replays show the pass was backward, hitting the ground at the A14.

Answer 43

Ruling: Reviewable. B’s ball first-and-10 on A14. The defense can gain possession of the ball with a clear recovery.

Question 44

Backward pass, no clear recovery First-and-10 on A20. QBA1 throws a pass from the A15-yard line that is ruled forward and incomplete. Several players from both teams jump on the loose ball. B7 emerges from the pile with the ball, but on-field officials do not make a preliminary ruling on recovery. Replays show the pass was backward, hitting the ground at the A14-yard line.

Answer 44

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball second-and-15 on A15. Because there is no evidence of clear recovery, the ball is awarded to Team A at the spot of the backward pass.

Question 45

Backward pass following interception, no clear recovery in end zone Second-and-5 on B25. On the first series of Overtime, QBA1 throws a long pass to A2, which is intercepted by B1 in the end zone. B1 runs the ball out to the B5-yard line and attempts to throw a backward pass to teammate B2. The attempted backward pass hits the ground at the B4-yard line and rolls into the end zone where players from both teams attempt to recover the ball in a pile of players. Officials rule that B1 threw an illegal forward pass and award the ball to Team B. Replays show that the pass was backward. The Replay Official challenges the play.

Answer 45

Ruling: Reviewable. Safety. Game over. Team A wins. There is no clear recovery by Team A, so a touchdown cannot be awarded. However, someone recovered the ball in the end zone, so it is at least a safety. The on-field ruling of an illegal forward pass is therefore reversed to a safety

Question 46

Backward pass out of bounds First-and-10 on A20. QBA1 throws a pass from the A15-yard line that is ruled forward and incomplete. After hitting the ground, the ball goes out of bounds at the A12-yard line. Replays show the pass was backward, hitting the ground at the A14-yard line.

Answer 46

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball second-and-18 on A12, wind clock on ready. In this situation, the ball will be placed at the out of bounds spot. The ball going out of bounds is a clear recovery.

Question 47

Backward pass out of bounds, safety First-and-10 on A5. QBA1 throws a pass from the A3-yard line that is ruled forward and incomplete. After hitting the ground, the ball hit the goal line pylon. Replays show the pass was backward, hitting the ground at the A1.

Answer 47

Ruling: Reviewable. Safety, safety kick A20.

Question 48

Incomplete forward pass Second-and-10 on A40. QBA1 throws a pass from the A35 toward the sideline. It hits the ground at the A36 and is recovered by B56. The Line Judge rules the pass backward.

Answer 48

Ruling: Reviewable, A’s ball third-and-10 on A40, reset the clock to the time when the ball hit the ground. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play.

Question 49

Forward pass, no grounding Second-and-10 on B37. QBA1 who is in the pocket and under pressure at the B44 throws the ball towards the sideline and it hits the ground at the B43 and then goes out of bounds. There was no eligible receiver in the area when it hit the ground. The Line Judge rules the pass backward. Team A challenges that the pass was forward.

Answer 49

Ruling: Reviewable, A’s ball third-and-10 on B37. Reset the clock to the time when the ball hit the ground. In this situation, replay can overturn the ruling to a forward pass, but cannot create a foul for intentional grounding. If officials had thrown a flag initially for intentional grounding and then picked it up because of the LJ’s ruling, then replay can put the flag back down, or if the Referee made an announcement regarding grounding before the review, the foul would be enforced after the reversal.

Question 50

Reversal negates foul First-and-10 on A20. QBA1 throws a swing pass to back A2 at the A18 who runs out of bounds at the A26. Officials rule the pass forward and call tight end A3 for pass interference as he was blocking downfield before the pass was caught. Replays show that the pass was backward.

Answer 50

Ruling: Reviewable, A’s ball second-and-4 on A26. Since the pass was backward, there is no foul for pass interference. This would also apply to a foul called for an ineligible player illegally downfield.

Question 51

Throwing motion affected First-and-10 on A20. QBA1 is under pressure at the A17 and attempts to throw a forward pass to A2 near the sideline at the A24. He starts his throwing motion but is then contacted by B77 before passing the ball. The ball lands at the A14 where B99 falls on it. The Referee rules incomplete pass.

Answer 51

Ruling: Reviewable, A’s ball second-and-10 on A20. If the quarterback begins his throwing motion and is then contacted by a defender, causing the pass to go backward, it is still a forward pass.

Question 52

Passer beyond the line of scrimmage First-and-10 on B20. QBA1 scrambles and throws a pass from the B19 that is caught by receiver A8 for a touchdown.

Answer 52

Ruling: Reviewable. Illegal forward pass. A’s ball second-and-14 on B24. For it to be an illegal forward pass, the passer’s whole body and the ball must be over the line of scrimmage when he releases the ball. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play.

Question 53

Pass behind line of scrimmage after ball has been beyond it First-and-10 on B20. QBA1 scrambles to the B19 and then back to the B21 where he throws a pass that is caught by receiver A80 in B’s end zone for a touchdown.

Answer 53

Ruling: Reviewable. Illegal forward pass. A’s ball second-and-15 on B25. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play

Question 54

Two forward passes behind the line of scrimmage First-and-10 on B30. Shotgun QBA1 pitches back to A2 who runs toward the sideline, stops and throws a pass to QBA1 who then throws a forward pass to A4 for a TD. Officials rule the play legal. Replays show that A2 was standing on the B36 when he released the ball and QBA1 was on the B34 when he caught it.

Answer 54

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball second-and-15 on B35. Second forward pass is illegal. Previous spot foul and loss of down. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play.

Question 55

Illegal forward pass beyond line of scrimmage Second-and-10 on A20. A2 catches a forward pass at the 50 and runs to the B20-yard line where he throws the ball forward to A3 at the B18-yard line. A3 runs for a touchdown.

Answer 55

Ruling: Reviewable. Illegal forward pass. A’s ball first-and-10 on B25. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play.

Question 56

Backward pass with clear recovery Second-and-10 on A20. B2 intercepts a pass at the A40 and returns it to the A30 where he attempts to throw a pass to B3 at the A31. The ball hits the ground at the A31 and A7 falls on it there. The officials rule that B2’s pass was forward and give B the ball after enforcing a five-yard penalty from the A30.

Answer 56

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball first-and-10 on A31. Since the pass was backward and was recovered in the continuing action after it hit the ground, the ball is awarded to Team A. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play.

Question 57

Player not in advance of teammate Second-and-10 on A20. A2 takes a handoff and runs to the 50. As he is being tackled, he hands the ball to A3 who is running parallel with him. A3 initially touches the ball at the 50, but doesn’t control it until the B48 ahead of A2. A3 runs for a touchdown.

Answer 57

Ruling: Reviewable. Legal handoff, touchdown. For it to be illegal, the player receiving the handoff must be clearly in advance of the player making the handoff when he first touches the ball. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play.

Question 58

No foul, player does not touch ball First-and-10 on A20. QBA1 is under pressure and attempts to throw a pass to back A2. Guard A6 is in front of A2 and reaches out to catch the ball, but it falls incomplete. Officials call Guard A6 for illegal touching of the pass. Replays show that A6 did not touch the ball.

Answer 58

Ruling: Reviewable. No foul. Second-and-10 on A20.

Question 59

Cannot rule on intent First-and-10 on A20. QBA1 throws a pass towards A2 that glances off the left arm of Guard A6 and then is caught by A2 who runs to the 50. Officials call A6 for illegal touching.

Answer 59

Ruling: Reviewable, A’s ball first-and-15 on A15. Replay can only review whether the player touched it or not, and cannot look at whether there was intent to touch. The Referee should explain this to the coach if he wants to challenge the ruling.

Question 60

T-Formation QB First-and-10 on A20. T-formation QBA1 receives the snap and pitches back to A2. A2 runs to his right and throws a forward pass to A1 who catches it and runs for a TD.

Answer 60

Ruling: Reviewable. Illegal touching of a forward pass. A’s ball first-and-15 on A15. T-formation QB (under center) is always ineligible. Whether a QB was in T-formation for purposes of eligibility is reviewable regardless of whether a foul was ruled on the field. The pass must be touched intentionally to be a foul in this situation, but the intent aspect is not reviewable, just the touch. A receiver catching the ball is considered intentional. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play.

Question 61

Illegal touching of pass First-and-10 on A20. Wide receiver A1 catches a pass at the 50 and runs for a touchdown. Replays show A1 stepping on the sideline at the A35-yard line and re-establishing inbounds before the catch.

Answer 61

Ruling: Reviewable. Illegal touching of a forward pass. Second-and-10 on A20. The pass does not have to be touched intentionally to be a foul in this situation. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play

Question 62

Defensive Pass Interference First-and-10 on A20. A1 throws a pass toward receiver A2, who is being defended by B1 near the sideline at the A35-yard line. The pass falls incomplete, untouched by either player. Officials rule defensive pass interference. Replays show that A1 stepped on the sideline at the A30-yard line and re-established inbounds before the interference.

Answer 62

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball second-and-10 on A20. There is no foul for pass interference because A2 became an ineligible receiver when he stepped out of bounds.

Question 63

Defensive pass interference Third-and-10 on A30. Pass to A2 is incomplete, but B1 is called for defensive pass interference as he played through the back of the receiver at the A40. B attempts to challenge that B1 touched the pass before the contact.

Answer 63

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball first-and-10 on A40. In order to negate the foul, the touch must occur away from the interference and by a player other than the one who caused the interference.

Question 64

No foul First-and-10 on A20. A1 throws a pass to A2 near the sideline. A2 catches the pass inbounds and then is tackled at the 50, but he is flagged for illegally touching the pass. Replays show that A2 did not step out of bounds before touching the ball.

Answer 64

Ruling: Reviewable. No foul for illegal touching. A’s ball first-and-10 on 50. Reset the clock to the time when A2 was down by contact.

Question 65

Pass touched first by an eligible player Second-and-10 on A20. QBA1 overthrows a screen pass to back A2 and the ball is then caught by Guard A5 who runs out of bounds at the A30. Officials call Guard A5 for illegal touching. Replays show that A2 tipped the pass before A5 caught it. Ruling: Reviewable. No foul, A’s ball first-and-10 on A30.

Answer 65

Ruling: Reviewable. No foul, A’s ball first-and-10 on A30.

Question 66

Defensive pass interference Third-and-10 on A30. Pass to A2 is incomplete, but B1 is called for defensive pass interference at the A40. Replays show the pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage by B2 before the interference.

Answer 66

Ruling: Reviewable. No foul. A’s ball fourth-and-10 on A30. For the foul to be negated, the ball must be touched before the interference and by a player away from the action that creates the foul.

Question 67

Foul occurs before touch First-and-10 on A20. QBA1 throws a pass to A2 at the A35. The BJ rules DPI, but the flag is picked up because the officials rule the ball was touched by B at the line of scrimmage before the foul. Replays show that the DPI occurred before the touching.

Answer 67

Ruling: Reviewable. Defensive pass interference, A’s ball first-and-10 on A35. This would be the same ruling if the officials ruled the pass was touched and replays showed that it was not touched.

Question 68

Player ineligible by formation First-and-10 on A20. Flanker A1 moves up on to the line of scrimmage and covers up tight end A2, making him ineligible. A2 goes downfield and catches a pass at the 50. No flags on the play.

Answer 68

Ruling: Not reviewable. A’s ball first-and-10 on 50.

Question 69

Illegal contact First-and-10 on A20. After stepping out of bounds at the A38 and immediately re-establishing, wide receiver A1 catches a pass at the 50 and runs for a touchdown. Officials penalize A for illegal touching of a forward pass. Replays show that A1 was illegally chucked out of bounds beyond 5 yards.

Answer 69

Ruling: Not reviewable. Illegal contact is not reviewable. A’s ball second-and-10 on A20. The only thing replay can review on this play is whether the receiver stepped out and re-established before he touched the pass.

Question 70

Illegal bat Second-and-10 on A47. A1 leaps high in the air at the B40 and grabs the pass. Before A1’s feet touch the ground, he pitches the ball forward to A2 at the B38-yard line. A2 runs for a touchdown.

Answer 70

Ruling: Not reviewable. An illegal bat is not reviewable, even in the end zone.