Replay on diving catches

[MtlCowboy]

watching a couple of games this weekend, that almost every diving catch by a WR, is subjected to replay or at least the possibility of replay.

i understand if the WR is trapping the ball then it makes sense, but if the WR catches the ball and, in the act of falling, a piece of the ball touches the turf, should this really be ruled as incomplete? it seems there are cases where the WR dives, seems to have the ball caught, but in bracing himself for the fall, exposes the ball to the ground. i don't remember this happening as often in the past.

wasn't the rule such that if the WR has control of the ball through the catch, then it was considered a catch, regardless it touched the ground or not?

 

[CrazyCowboy]

Guess this is why we have instant reply!

 

[Reality]

watching a couple of games this weekend, that almost every diving catch by a WR, is subjected to replay or at least the possibility of replay.

i understand if the WR is trapping the ball then it makes sense, but if the WR catches the ball and, in the act of falling, a piece of the ball touches the turf, should this really be ruled as incomplete? it seems there are cases where the WR dives, seems to have the ball caught, but in bracing himself for the fall, exposes the ball to the ground. i don't remember this happening as often in the past.

wasn't the rule such that if the WR has control of the ball through the catch, then it was considered a catch, regardless it touched the ground or not?

They changed the rule this year ..

Now, when receivers catch a ball inbounds and land out of bounds, they must retain possession of the ball AFTER hitting the ground. If the ball touches the ground in any way, it will be ruled incomplete.

-Reality

 

[MtlCowboy]

thanks Reality!

didn't hear of the rule change.


I agree with the "they must retain possession of the ball AFTER hitting the ground" part. but the "If the ball touches the ground in any way, it will be ruled incomplete" is too strict on receivers imo...we'll be tossing out many possible spectacular catches!

 

[aikemirv]

They changed the rule this year ..

Now, when receivers catch a ball inbounds and land out of bounds, they must retain possession of the ball AFTER hitting the ground. If the ball touches the ground in any way, it will be ruled incomplete.

-Reality

That is not correct. The ball can touch the ground if the receiver maintains control of the ball while it is touching the ground.

The ball just cannot MOVE in his hands.

 

[Reality]

That is not correct. The ball can touch the ground if the receiver maintains control of the ball while it is touching the ground.

The ball just cannot MOVE in his hands.

If the ball hits the ground first or at the same time his hands/arms (whichever is holding the ball) do, he did not maintain control. Basically, they changed the rules to be the same as they are in the field of play.

If a receiver catches the ball in the field of play and hits the ground and any part of the ball hits the ground before or at the same time his hands/arms (whichever is holding the ball) do, they rule it an incomplete pass.

You are right in that if the ball shifts at all, it's ruled incomplete but if the ball hits the ground before or at the same time his hands/arms do, it is ruled a trapped ball and as such, an incomplete pass.

-Reality