Is there such a thing as an intentional grounding call on a running back?

[Reverend Conehead]

This is not a question regarding the recent game against the Vikings. It's just something I was wondering about. Is there such a thing as an intentional grounding call on a running back? For example, the quarterback gives the ball to the running back, who then starts to throw a pass, however he's under pressure and realizes no one's open, so he just throws the ball away and it doesn't reach the line of scrimmage. Is that then intentional grounding on the running back?

The other scenario is the QB drops back into the shotgun, but they do a direct snap to the RB, when then gets ready to throw the ball, decides it's all covered, so he throws it away, not reaching the line of scrimmage.

Are either of these scenarios intentional grounding? Or does that call only exist against quarterbacks?

 

[OmerV]

This is not a question regarding the recent game against the Vikings. It's just something I was wondering about. Is there such a thing as an intentional grounding call on a running back? For example, the quarterback gives the ball to the running back, who then starts to throw a pass, however he's under pressure and realizes no one's open, so he just throws the ball away and it doesn't reach the line of scrimmage. Is that then intentional grounding on the running back?

The other scenario is the QB drops back into the shotgun, but they do a direct snap to the RB, when then gets ready to throw the ball, decides it's all covered, so he throws it away, not reaching the line of scrimmage.

Are either of these scenarios intentional grounding? Or does that call only exist against quarterbacks?

Interesting question. My guess is intentional grounding can be called on whoever is serving as the passer on a particular play, but I can't recall ever seeing a situation where it came into play.

 

[Flamma]

This is not a question regarding the recent game against the Vikings. It's just something I was wondering about. Is there such a thing as an intentional grounding call on a running back? For example, the quarterback gives the ball to the running back, who then starts to throw a pass, however he's under pressure and realizes no one's open, so he just throws the ball away and it doesn't reach the line of scrimmage. Is that then intentional grounding on the running back?

The other scenario is the QB drops back into the shotgun, but they do a direct snap to the RB, when then gets ready to throw the ball, decides it's all covered, so he throws it away, not reaching the line of scrimmage.

Are either of these scenarios intentional grounding? Or does that call only exist against quarterbacks?

I'm not a ref, but I don't think the rules care what a player calls himself, QB, RB, WR, what have you. If you have and throw the ball, you're a QB. So I would think the same rules apply.

 

[droopdog7]

Like other have said, intentional grounding should be available to whoever throws the ball. On a related note, I recall that intentional grounding is supposed to apply on when the thrower is under pressure. In theory, a guy should be able to throw the ball away if he's not under pressure, but in the few instances I have seen it doesn't seem to go that way.

 

[joseephuss]

College rules sometimes differ from NFL rules. I didn't seen any mention in the NFL rulebook similar to the ruling in this Clemson situation from a few years back.

https://www.sbnation.com/college-fo...orange-bowl-college-football-playoff-referees

 

[Flamma]

College rules sometimes differ from NFL rules. I didn't seen any mention in the NFL rulebook similar to the ruling in this Clemson situation from a few years back.

https://www.sbnation.com/college-fo...orange-bowl-college-football-playoff-referees

Good find. The rule there is limited to who receives the snap.

 

[links18]

College rules sometimes differ from NFL rules. I didn't seen any mention in the NFL rulebook similar to the ruling in this Clemson situation from a few years back.

https://www.sbnation.com/college-fo...orange-bowl-college-football-playoff-referees

"It's a weird quirk. This is why running backs about to lose a ton of yardage can't just throw the ball away to save yardage. Scott probably had no idea this was the case -- it's possible nobody on Clemson did, since it's such a rarely-seen call -- and thought he was making a smart play to save his team yardage."

 

[Beaker42]

Interesting question. My guess is intentional grounding can be called on whoever is serving as the passer on a particular play, but I can't recall ever seeing a situation where it came into play.

If he’s out of the pocket it can’t be grounding, yes??

 

[OmerV]

If he’s out of the pocket it can’t be grounding, yes??

That's a good point, and I'm sure that's correct

 

[joseephuss]

If he’s out of the pocket it can’t be grounding, yes??

It can be intentional grounding if the ball doesn't reach the line of scrimmage even when outside the tackle box.

 

[JD_KaPow]

This is not a question regarding the recent game against the Vikings. It's just something I was wondering about. Is there such a thing as an intentional grounding call on a running back? For example, the quarterback gives the ball to the running back, who then starts to throw a pass, however he's under pressure and realizes no one's open, so he just throws the ball away and it doesn't reach the line of scrimmage. Is that then intentional grounding on the running back?

The other scenario is the QB drops back into the shotgun, but they do a direct snap to the RB, when then gets ready to throw the ball, decides it's all covered, so he throws it away, not reaching the line of scrimmage.

Are either of these scenarios intentional grounding? Or does that call only exist against quarterbacks?

Yes, the intentional grounding rules would apply to anyone throwing a forward pass. The rule refers only to "passer," which can be anyone on the offense (I believe).

https://operations.nfl.com/the-rules/nfl-video-rulebook/intentional-grounding/

 

[Cowboy4ever]

I heard Dean B addressing the play on the Pitt kicker and the hit he took and whether or not it was roughing the passer even if the kicker is the one throwing the ball. He said the rules apply to the passer just not the QB and kicker should have had the same protections as a typical QB. I think the same would be true in reverse. Regardless of who is actually throwing the pass, they would be subject to the same rules as a typical QB.