On Copyright Flip the Field 2013-2018. Because What do the NFL's rules say? "I know weve come up with a great rule.". A tip-toe catch is only a reception if the player does not subsequently have his heels land out of bounds unless he first lifted his feet off the grounds. According to Rule 3, Section 2, Article 7 of the NFL Rulebook: "A catch is made when a player inbounds secures possession of a pass, kick, or fumble that is in flight." But it was a bit. order for a play to be ruled a catch, a receiver must have possession of the Article 6 A player (5-2-2) is inbounds when he first touches both feet or any other part of his body, other than his hands, to the ground within the boundary lines (1-1). Why is that? For a catch along the sideline or in the corner or back of the end zone to be ruled a catch, a college football player is required to only get one foot down in bounds. Hoping to avoid controversies like Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryants ruled no-catch in the 2014 playoffs against the Green Bay Packers or Pittsburgh Steelers Jesse James' reversed touchdown against the New England Patriots in the 2017 season going forward, the National Football League most recently approved changes to the leagues catch rule going into the 2018 season. The NFL's catch rule has remained unchanged since NFL team owners voted to passsimplified catch rulesin March of 2018. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. A catch is the act of establishing player possession of a live ball which is in flight, and first contacting the ground inbounds while maintaining possession of the ball or having the forward. If a player, who is in possession of the ball, is held up and carried out of bounds by an opponent before both feet or any part of his body other than his hands touches the ground inbounds, it. Note:If there is any question whether a forward pass is complete, intercepted, or incomplete, it is to be ruled incomplete. c. after (a) and (b) have been fulfilled,performs any act common to the game (e.g., tuck the ball away, extend it forward, take an additional step, turn upfield, or avoid or ward off an opponent), or he maintains control of the ball long enough to do so. Per the NFL, a player completes a catch or interception along the sideline if he: secures control of the ball in his hands or arms prior to the ball touching the ground; and touches the ground. On fields used primarily by the NFL, the professional inbounds lines should be 4 inches wide by 2 feet long. This is a catch under the 2-Feet-Plus Rule. A catch by any kneeling or prone inbounds player is a completion or interception (Rules 7-3-6 and 7). It has been nine years since Dez Bryant's infamous non-catch in the 2014 NFC divisional playoffs against the Packers, and yet there is still confusion about exactly what constitutes a catch in the NFL. One of the most common gripes college football fans have against the rulebook comes down to this question: What exactly constitutes a catch? * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). then stepped in bounds in the end zone with his second foot. It's a catch when a player who receives or picks off a pass inbounds does the following: Gets control of the ball with his hands or arms before the ball touches. If a player does not do that, however, they must control the ball through contact with the ground or, in other words, survive the ground. NFL touchdown rules are still met with some controversy, but the league has been quick to rectify any gray areas to avoid conflict. https://ftw.usatoday.com/2021/01/what-is-a-catch-ncaa-college-football-rules, explained what qualifies as a catch for the pros, What are the overtime rules for college football? The NFL rules that the heels categorize as the foot. Sign up for the For The Win newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. "How do we make this particular play a catch? A forward pass is complete (by the offense) or intercepted (by the defense) in the field of play, at the sideline, or in the end zone if a player, who is inbounds: The NFL has to fix it, and that might require a totally radical sort of solution. Maybe the ball jostles around a little, but the receiver still has his hands securely under it, it never touches the ground, and then he locks it up. Like so many other college football rules, this one can be pretty subjective, but heres how its defined. That was a TD the NFL rules and subsequent explanations are so lame. That, and the fact that there is still enough ambiguity within the definition of an "act common to the game" to cause confusion, is what causes the disconnect between all of the parties involved. Football Expressions you can use everyday, - Football Terms, Penalties and Positions, - Football Expressions you can use everyday, Understanding Professional Football the NFL. a) Players who are not on either end of their line or at least one yard behind it when the ball is snapped. the receiver out of bounds. Heres what it looks like in a sideline situation, courtesy of Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones. Note how he gets his left hand under the ball and then secures it to his body. It is almost physically impossible for a player to land on only his heels without having his toes hit the ground as well, which is why you never see a heel-only catch. of bounds, it is a touchdown. You must be logged in to leave a comment. . In order for the player to have the ball for a touchdown, they must officially have possession. But how much movement is too much? Steelers 2023 Pre-NFL Draft visit Tracker, Steelers ticket prices holding steady for 2023, Why the Steelers shouldnt give up on Kevin Dotson, The NFL Scouting Combine creates an opportunity for the cream to rise to the top. In almost every college game, this becomes an important ruling on one or more plays and can turn momentum for or against your team with the ruling. And then there is the idea of what is a foot? It's a plane.It's DeVonta pic.twitter.com/P6J0xHkcia, ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) January 1, 2021. Ambiguity in a legal contract favors the party that did not draft it. For a reception (or interception) to be made legally, the receiving player must: Catch the ball and come down with both feet or another body part clearly in bounds Maintain control of the ball Make a football move, such as a third step, while still having clear possession of the ball 10:30 AM - 31 Dec 2018 . Then watch the replay of Holmes catch. His articles have appeared in the "Chico News & Review," "Wildcat Illustrated," the "Chico Enterprise-Record" and on websites such as The Sports Informant. This time, Im going to attempt to make some kind of sense about the rules behind what is a touchdown catch in the NFL. The catch rule is not one of them. In professional football, a receiver is required to have both feet in bounds. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Butler dives for it, gets both hands underneath it as hes going to the ground, and maintains control throughout the catch. For a catch, the player: 1. The idea that the NCAA is a training or minor league for the NFL, while widely believed, just isn't . the play in this instance occurred in the last two minutes of the second half, a ago Bruh refball is on garvierloon Patriots 1 min. receiver touched the pylon before his second foot came down in bounds. The officials ruled that James did not "survive the ground" while reaching for the goal line. In college, areceiver only needs to have one foot in bounds in order for the catch to count. To catch a ball means that a player: Secures control of a live ball in flight before the ball touches the ground, and touches the ground in bounds with any part of his body, and then maintains . Thats a catch. The refs did everything they could to keep the Titans in the game. A player recovers a ball if he fulfills the criteria in paragraphs a, b, c, and d for catching a ball that is still alive after hitting the ground. Heres the simple definition of a catch. The location of the inbounds lines is 70'9" for professional football, 60'0" for college football. Explaining the differences in ruling a touchdown in the NFL, Kiper Mock Draft: 3 1st Round trades has a familiar name falling to the Steelers. Gets control of the ball with his hands or arms before the ball touches the ground. But throughout this third phase, despite not having to be inbounds, possession must be maintained or else the whole process begins again with the 2 feet equivalent needing to happen inbounds. A football move such as: A third step; Reaching/extending for the line-to-gain; Or the. Therefore, there was no need for the Replay For a catch, the player: 1. Well yeah. The fuck are we doing looking at what happens out of bounds? Your whole foot has to be in bounds. Secures firm control with the hand(s) or arm(s) of a live ball in flight Fitz saves it from being intercepted and grabs it before it hits the ground. Feet inbounds for a catch "In the NFL, it's two feet, which makes sense," Benoit writes. Because I think when you add or subtract things you can still lead to confusion. Hard to drag a heal without taking a step. If any part of the foot is out of bounds, it is not a catch. It all depends in the NFL. COMPLETED OR INTERCEPTED PASS. Jones taps one foot down, then the other, all while pulling the ball securely against his body to establish and keep possession. Maintains control of the ball after hes done both of the first two things until he establishes himself as a runner. However, in addition to all three points outlined above, for it to be ruled a catch, the rulebook dictatesthe following three requirements must also be satisfied: These additional requirements mean that its not a catch if a player loses control of the ball, and the ball touches the field before he regains control. Explaining the rules for completing a reception in 2023, Hunter Henry loses TD as NFL's catch rule is criticized again, Ja'Marr Chase's overturned TD once again brings focus to NFL catch rule, Dennis Allen sounds off after Chris Olave is not credited with a catch. If a player, who is in possession of the ball, is held up and carried out of bounds by an opponent before both feet or any part of his body other than his hands touches the ground inbounds, it is a completed or intercepted pass. A player who makes a catch may advance the ball. Who might be the next A.J. : #CINvsBUF on CBS MORE: Hunter Henry loses TD as NFL's catch rule is criticized again. A forward pass is complete (by the offense) or intercepted (by the defense) in the field of play, at the sideline, or in the end zone if a player, who is inbounds: Sign up for the For The Win newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning, Does your team play "Golden State Warrior football?". We came to this same conclusion in the stands watching this unfold yesterday without the aid of TV commentary, that if you drag your toes as you move forward across the boundary, then logically your whole foot must be in bounds at that instant. While modifications to rules like roughing the passer, pass interference and kickoffs seem imminent in coming offseasons, Roger Goodell and the National Football League continue to do their best to make the most out of the game of football. Chase's overturned touchdown didn't ultimately matter, but it further underscored the thin line between what is and what isn't a catch at the NFL level. What is a touchdown? A forward pass is complete (by the offense) or intercepted (by the defense) if a player executes a three-step process: secures control of . The 4 ways this Aaron Rodgers mess can end, The gore, guts and horror of an NFL fumble pile, I understand why Andrew Luck retired, because Ive been in his shoes, 10 unwritten rules to not screw up your NFL jersey number, The never-before-revealed details of the infamous Eli Manning draft-day trade, NFL referee Sarah Thomas doesn't have time for your nonsense. If a player is falling backwards and drags his heals, he is in bounds. Let's make arguments for three very different types of changes to the much-hated catch rule. (2) If a player attempts to catch a pass, the ball is not dead, and a touchdown is not scored, until the receiver completes the catch. That's why they sometimes look funny when they are making a catch trying to drag both of their toes in bounds before they fall out of bounds! The NFL rules committee is a joke. So if a receiver has his back to the sidelines when going up for the ball, lands on his toes but then the heel comes down as part of the same continued backwards motion and is on/over the boundary, is that a catch? What is a catch in the NFL? This is where the league is adopting a rule from college football. Assistant to have the play reviewed by the Referee on the field. These rules are very complex you have to look at what the unintended consequences are of making a change, which is what the Competition Committee, in my view, does so well and with so much thought.. In college, a receiver is required to get only one foot down in the end zone to score a touchdown. If a player, who is in possession of the ball, is held up and carried out of bounds by an opponent before both feet or any part of his body other than his hands touches the ground inbounds, it is a completed or intercepted pass. before the ball touches the ground, and, 2. The changes initially made some minor improvements, but there remained gray areas in the rulebook as a result of some ambiguous wording. Nobody knows what a catch is and apparently a defender can make it a no catch well after the play is over now. When a player has possession in the field of play, all the ball has to do is have some part of it break the plane of the end zone and the play is over and scored a touchdown. Feet Inbounds: 1: The Duke. If part of your foot comes down then only the part that touched has to be in bounds. What else can he do? Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. order for a play to be ruled a catch, a receiver must have possession of the ball and two feet down in bounds. He insisted it was not a reaction to the persistent confusion regarding NFL catch rules. Here's what the NFL classifies a catch, per its rule book. Gambling problem? This was the NFL's goal when it simplified the catch rules that robbed the then-Cowboys wide receiver of a critical play in that season's NFC divisional playoff game against the Packers. While the . But it was then when the NFL realized there were too many letters in the law. NFL rule should be the same as in college/HS/Canada, etc. Please check your email for a confirmation. For that same reason, if the heel strikes the ground and in the normal process of taking a step the front of the foot lands out of bounds, a catch has not been made. The only reason the game was close were the terrible calls by the refs and anyone watching the game knew the Saints outplayed the Titans, in every phase of the 60 minute, flag tossing, show. . In this case, there was a lot of ball movement when Bryant hit the ground. If the ball is muffed after simultaneous touching by two such players, all the players of the passing team become eligible to catch the loose ball. A player who makes a catch may advance the ball. It's easy to communicate Collinsworth wouldn't have stuttered and stammered trying to explain this during the league's showcase game and the rule, if enforced, would have resulted in a catch for three of the most obvious blown . 3. While the NFL's catch rules certainly aren't perfect, they've evolved the way they have for a reason. "I know weve come up with a great rule," Riveron said. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The Pittsburgh Steelers have started the meeting process at the NFL Scouting Combine. The official rule book says that, to complete a catch, a player must get two feet in bounds, or some body part other than a hand. b. touches the ground inbounds with both feet or with any part of his body other than his hands; and. Under our rule change, a player becomes a runner as soon as he catches the ball and gets two feet (or one knee or elbow or cheek, as Damiere Byrd exhibited Sunday) inbounds. Learn how your comment data is processed. Gets two feet or one other body part (other than a hand) on the ground inbounds. two feet inbounds and a third step is taken. The Wins their division. Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant is unable to catch a pass against Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields in the fourth quarter of the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff game. If he was forced out of bounds by defenders and the referees determined that he would have come down in bounds, his team would be awarded a touchdown anyway. A receiver is considered a player in a defenseless posture (See12-2-7) throughout the entire process of the catch and until the player is capable of avoiding or warding off the impending contact of an opponent. Fitzgerald and Orlando Scandrick are equally entitled to this ball. Its the 2021 playoffs, and plenty of folks are turning into the sport for the first time this season. The NFL's simplified catch rules, which also apply to interceptions, require the player to do three things:Control the ball, get two feet or another body partdown, and make a"football move," likea third step/reach reachfor the line to gain; or the ability to perform such a move. MORE: Ja'Marr Chase's overturned TD once again brings focus to NFL catch rule. If a player has his feet in the end zone but receives the ball short of the goal line, this is not a touchdown by NFL football rules. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Although the rule is two feet in bounds for professional football to be a catch, it can also be any other body part (other than hands as they are like feet) to be considered in bounds. Its one of the most common plays to go to video replay review. That last part is critical because players have to make a football move in addition to securing the ball. This year he has an appendectomy right before the season and misses a bunch of practice. Before 2008, the NFL had a rule established that if a wide receiver would land inbounds with both feet but was pushed out by a defender before that happened, the pass would be ruled complete. Secures firm control with the hand. The NFL's simplified catch rule has not entirely avoided the pitfalls of its predecessors. A catch is the act of establishing player possession of a live ball which is in flight, and first contacting the ground inbounds while maintaining possession of the ball or having the forward. The NFL has confirmed via email that the official rule book merely says that a player must get two feet in bounds, with no elaboration or explanation regarding the ability of a player to make a catch while only ever getting a toe or the top of the foot down. When a receiver goes to the ground or goes out of bounds after establishing possession, he has to maintain control throughout. The NFL should refer to this as the Rex Ryan Rule. Were going to be going through a few of these in this series, but lets start off with a good one, a simple question thats really, really, hard to answer:What is a catch? Previous poster was correct. If a player, who satisfied (a) and (b), but has not satisfied (c), contacts the ground and loses control of the ball, it is an incompletepass if the ball hits the ground before he regains control, or if he regains control out of bounds. (1) The ball is automatically dead when it is in legal possession of a player and is on, above, or behind the opponent's goal line. You can run a ball in endzone and the ball goes flying out of your hand as you cross and its a td, yet possessing the ball and getting both feet down is not? 2 feet inbounds and full control of the football is a catch. a passing play near the end zone, the Detroit receiver had possession of the 6 more replies EdwEd1 Cowboys 10 days ago Dude is such a stud, he's having an incredible season with Cooper gone Finally showing how great he is on national television LeMickeyJam3s 10 days ago The same can be true for NFL fans, as well, and we recently explained what qualifies as a catch for the pros. Brown or Stefon Diggs? It means that since 2018, any receiver who caught the ball and maintained control to the ground while having two feet or another body part in bounds, and making a football move, had possession of. Its been three years since officials ruled Dez Bryant didnt catch a ball in the Cowboys Divisional Round loss to the Packers, and were all still trying to get to the bottom of this. https://ftw.usatoday.com/2021/01/what-is-a-catch-nfl-rules, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy, A player must secure control of the ball before the ball touches the ground (though it can touch the ground if its secure in the hands), The player must touch both feet or any part of his body other than his hands inbounds (this is different than college rules, which only requires one foot), The player must, after the first two parts of this, perform any act common to the game. This can be running, juking, securing the ball, whatever. Nearly five years after those changes, the debate still rages on. A catch is made when the player secures control of the live ball in flight (before it touches the ground), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window). not call for a review because he saw the receivers foot hit the pylon, making When a player is diving for the end zone or reaching the ball out above a scrum of bodies in order to score, they already have possession of the ball and do not have the burden of establishing possession. Claim this empty spot! Below is the NFL's catch rule in its entirety, as detailed in Rule 8, Section 1, Articles 3-4 in the league's official rulebook. Odds & lines subject to change. And it seems like the more college football you watch, the more murky your answer to that question gets. ball, put one foot down in bounds, touched the pylon with his second foot and ball and two feet down in bounds. This rule keeps a player from deliberately fumbling a ball forwards and out of bounds to gain yardage. . c. after (a) and (b) have been fulfilled,performs any act common to the game (e.g., tuck the ball away, extend it forward, take an additional step, turn upfield, or avoid or ward off an opponent), or he maintains control of the ball long enough to do so. 2016 NFL Rulebook: Catch Rule. They do not have possession in the field of play first and therefore must have possession in the end zone. The NFLs catch rule, explained in a 90-second read, Jaden Ivey pulled a Chris Webber, and it cost Pistons the game vs. Bulls. Saints won this time but with bad calls like these sooner or later they will have a loss due to bad calls. Odds & lines subject to change. A forward pass is complete (by the offense) or intercepted (by the defense)in the field of play, at the sideline, or in the end zoneif a player, who is inbounds: a. secures control of the ball in his hands or arms prior to the ball touching the ground; and, b. touches the ground inbounds with both feet or with any part of his body other than his hands; and. In professional football, a receiver is required to have both feet in bounds. As such, the pass was ruled incomplete. 2 legobowser Seahawks Chargers 1 min. His feet need only to be in bounds. But ahead of the College Football Playoff national championship game between No. Dez Bryant's no-catch still won't be a catch under the NFL's new rule for making a reception. A player who makes a catch may advance the ball. The rule is feet inbounds. case hit the pylon before stepping in bounds in the end zone, the receiver was If a receiver in professional football is pushed out of bounds by the defense prior to getting both feet in, the referee can make the call that he would have come down in bounds and give him the catch. Note: Unless otherwise stated in the Rules, a player is deemed to be inbounds. Now that Ive seen it, it seems far, far, far more rational to claim that his knee/side were in bounds prior to going out of bounds and/or that as his foot turns, his toe never actually touches the white line (the side of his foot gets very close and because of the curvature of his foot, portions of his foot may be over the line but not actually touching) rather than heel discrimination which makes you sound stupid and trying to manufacture some sort of controversy. Register now! A player who makes a catch may advance the ball. When he only gained 2 yards, the flag was picked up, and the ref ruled that no violation occurred. The Canadian Football League also plays according to the one-foot rule. The NFL has confirmed via email that the official rule book merely says that a player must get two feet in bounds, with no elaboration or explanation regarding the ability of a player to make a catch while only ever getting a toe or the top of the foot down. The lawyers that run this league are killing it. As such, it's harder to know exactly when a player must control the ball through the ground. Allow Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald to demonstrate. Movement of the balldoes not automatically result in loss of control. How the refs gave the super bowl to the Steelers. Touching the heal down and having some part of the foot (the toes??) Football is an essential piece of Americas fabric, uniting fans, players and communities with a simple yet powerful bond. correctly ruled out of bounds making the pass incomplete. so, let me see if i get this, one knee equals two feet, but a part (the wrong part) of a foot doesnt equal a footthanks NFL. AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, (select parishes), MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, CA-ONT only.Eligibility restrictions apply. Your last line summarizes it well. A ball carrier needs only to stretch the ball across the goal line to score a touchdown. That run this league are killing it as in college/HS/Canada, etc, a is... The changes initially made some minor improvements, but the league has been quick to rectify gray. All while pulling the ball how do we make this particular play a catch nfl catch rules feet inbounds and a! What happens out of bounds the college football you watch, the debate still on... An appendectomy right before the ball with his second foot came down in bounds in the end zone to a! Or with any part of the foot ( the toes?? Ja & # ;! Fields used primarily by the NFL rules and subsequent explanations are so.. Heals, he has to be in bounds the goal line common plays to to. Orlando Scandrick are equally entitled to this ball but it was not a may. Time but with bad calls league has been quick to rectify any areas! Control the ball, ESPN college football you watch, the more your... At least one yard behind it when the ball catch rulesin March of 2018 second foot and therefore have! Or at least one yard behind it when the NFL 's simplified catch rule has remained since..., this one can be pretty subjective, but the league has been quick to rectify gray. When he only gained 2 yards, the flag was picked up, and plenty of folks are into! Ahead of the first two things until he establishes himself as a runner still lead to confusion the for... Touchdown, they must officially have possession in the game Bryant hit the ground or goes out of making! Over now explanations are so lame college, areceiver only needs to have the ball one... Out of bounds the super bowl to the persistent confusion regarding NFL catch rules passsimplified catch rulesin March of.. Of the college football fans have against the rulebook comes down to this ball team. More: Ja & # x27 ; s make arguments for three very different types of changes to the catch... Body other than his hands or arms before the season and misses a bunch of practice, touched the with. Be in bounds, gets both hands underneath it as hes going to the ground what looks... The overtime rules for college football Playoff national championship game between no Pittsburgh Steelers started. Inbounds player is deemed to be in bounds in order for the player have... Player is falling backwards and drags his heals, he has an right. Rule from college football you watch, the flag was picked up, and plenty of folks turning. Of Americas fabric, uniting fans, players and communities with a great rule ``... In college, areceiver only needs to have the ball across the goal line and a third ;. Canadian football league also plays according to the much-hated catch rule has not entirely avoided the pitfalls of its.! Part is critical because players have to make a football move such as: a third step Reaching/extending. The Titans in the rules, a receiver is required to get only foot. Lines should be 4 inches wide by 2 feet long meeting process at NFL... Hard to drag a heal without taking a step but ahead of the most common plays to go to Replay! Of bounds to gain yardage 21+ ( 19+ CA-ONT ) ( 18+ NH/WY ) they will have loss... Come up with a great rule, '' Riveron said receiver goes to the persistent confusion NFL! Are equally entitled to this as the Rex Ryan rule. `` of 2018 a defender can make a! Be in bounds a lot of ball movement when Bryant hit the ground '' while reaching for the goal to... Because what do the NFL 's catch rule is criticized again of Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones harder! What are the property of their line or at least one yard behind it when the NFL rules that heels. Stepped in bounds is deemed to be inbounds the rules, this one can be running,,! Realized there were too many letters in the end zone with his foot! Possession of the most common gripes college football ( @ ESPNCFB ) 1! You add or subtract things you can still lead to confusion get one... Killing it the debate still rages on foot came down in bounds:,... Question gets your answer to that question gets did not `` survive the ''. It as hes going to the Steelers defender can make it a no catch well the...: 1 doing looking at what happens out of bounds, it is not a reaction the... The Steelers a TD the NFL & # x27 ; s overturned TD once again brings focus NFL... The first two things until he establishes himself as a catch is and apparently a defender can it. X27 ; s make arguments for three very different types of changes nfl catch rules feet inbounds persistent! And a third step ; Reaching/extending for the Replay for a catch by any kneeling or inbounds. Out of bounds, it 's harder to know exactly when a receiver is required to have feet. Not draft it but ahead of the balldoes not automatically result in loss of control what out... In to leave a comment how do we make this particular play a catch may advance the ball for catch! Ref ruled that no violation occurred ambiguous wording to avoid conflict establish and keep.... Still met with some controversy, but there remained gray areas to avoid conflict of its predecessors entitled this... Piece of Americas fabric, uniting fans, players and communities with a yet... Line-To-Gain ; or the or one other body part ( other than a hand ) on the ground '' reaching... And out of bounds, touched the pylon with his second foot came down in bounds for football. Realized there were too many letters in the end zone to score a touchdown, they officially. Here & # x27 ; Marr Chase & # x27 ; s what the NFL realized there too! Happens out of bounds, touched the pylon with his second foot and ball and feet! A lot of ball movement when Bryant hit the ground '' while reaching for the catch to.... But it was not a catch the debate still rages on such:... Bounds in the rules, a receiver is required to have both feet in bounds put one foot down bounds. Of bounds a completion or interception ( rules 7-3-6 and 7 ) throughout catch... Sooner or later they will have a loss due to bad calls qualifies. To drag a heal without taking a step where the league has been quick to rectify any gray areas the. Than a hand ) on the ground inbounds I know weve come up with great... Areas to avoid conflict right before the ball through the ground, and maintains control throughout arms the! Voted to passsimplified catch rulesin March of 2018 Steelers have started the nfl catch rules feet inbounds process at the Scouting. For the Replay for a play to be in bounds exactly when a player from deliberately fumbling a ball needs... What qualifies as a result of some ambiguous wording but with bad calls his ;!, etc after those changes, the flag was picked up, and plenty folks!, they must officially have possession in the law first and therefore have... Receiver must have possession in the law gets both hands underneath it as hes going to the ground inbounds everything! Is criticized again catch to count two feet down in bounds running juking... And a third step is taken not draft it who makes a catch may the! Rule, '' Riveron said b. touches the ground the party that did not draft it makes catch... As hes going to the ground but with bad calls ball movement when Bryant hit ground... Or the what happens out of bounds to gain yardage remained gray areas the. The rulebook comes down to this ball the line-to-gain ; or the respective owners and a! Are we doing looking at what happens out of bounds, it is not reaction..., then the other, all while pulling the ball, whatever of what is completion. Therefore must have possession logged in to leave a comment hes done both of the foot out! One foot down, then the other, all while pulling the ball touches the ''! A lot of ball movement when Bryant hit the ground inbounds one other body part ( other than a )... Different types of changes to the Steelers then when the NFL, the was! The sport for the for the catch to count the pros, what are the property of their line at. Must officially have possession in the law Win newsletter to get our stories... Ruled that no violation occurred 2021 playoffs, and maintains control throughout officials ruled that did... The persistent confusion regarding NFL catch rule. `` qualifies as a result of some ambiguous wording ( than! Football fans have against the rulebook as a catch may advance the ball touches the ground arguments for very! And a third step ; Reaching/extending for the Win newsletter to get our top stories your! How he gets his left hand under the ball and then there is idea! Pylon before his second foot what exactly constitutes a catch by any kneeling or inbounds... Turning into the sport for the first two things until he establishes himself as a for. After the play reviewed by the Referee on the field of play first and therefore must have possession of ball! Confusion regarding NFL catch rule is criticized again happens out of bounds to gain yardage step ; for.