Passing Plays

27. Pass Complete or Incomplete

Third and 5 on the A-30. In attempting to catch a low pass at the B-45, A88's hands are under the ball with possession. The pass is ruled incomplete. RULING: Reviewable play. Overturn to completed pass, A 1-10 on B-45, start clock on the referee’s signal (Rule 12-3-2a).

28. Pass Complete or Incomplete

Second and 10 on the 50. A pass thrown to A80 at the B-35 is ruled complete. The receiver bobbled the ball while in the air after being contacted, then gained control before hitting the ground in bounds and maintained that control after hitting the ground. RULING: Reviewable play, regarding whether the pass was caught. Confirm call on the field. Completed pass, A 1-10 on B-35. Clock starts on the ready (Rule 12-3-2a).

29. Forward Pass Complete Despite Whistle

Third and 10 on the 50. A low pass to the B-30 is close to the ground as defender B45 attempts to intercept it, and the ball is batted upward. A80 catches the ball and carries it across Team B's goal line. The back judge rules the pass incomplete, but replays show the ball did not touch the ground. RULING: Reviewable play, regarding whether the pass is complete or incomplete. Overturn to A 1-10 on B-30. Team A is awarded the catch but no advance. Clock starts on the ready (Rule 12-3-2a).

30. Pass Ruled Complete

First and 10 on the A-20. A10 throws a forward pass to A80 at the A-35. A80 controls the ball, and is hit by a defender causing him to lose the ball just as his first foot hits the ground. B45 falls on the loose ball at the A-37. Officials rule the pass complete and a fumble. RULING: Reviewable play regarding whether the ball was caught. Overturn to incomplete pass. A 2-10 on A-20, reset clock if after the Two-Minute Timeout. (Rule 12-3-2a).

31. Pass Ruled Incomplete

First and 10 on the A-20. Al0 throws a forward pass to A80 at the A-35. A80 controls the ball, takes several steps and turns up field before he is hit by a defender causing him to lose the ball which B45 falls on at the A-37 Officials rule the pass incomplete. RULING: Reviewable play regarding whether the ball was caught. Overturn to B 1-10 on A-37.

There must be a clear recovery in the immediate continuing action in order to give the ball to the recovering team. If there is no clear recovery the ruling of incomplete is upheld (Rule 12-3-2a).

32. Process or the Catch

First and 10 at the A-30. A10 throws a pass to A80 at the A-38. A80 secures the ball, plants his right foot, turns up field and lunges for the first down marker at the A-40. A80’s knee hits the ground when the ball is at the A-41 and the ball comes out. Officials rule incomplete pass. RULING: Reviewable play. Overturn to a catch. In this case the receiver performed an act common to the game that was visually and distinctly not part of the catch when he changed direction and lunged for the first down marker. This would also be the ruling for a similar play at the goal line. A 1/10 @ A-41.

33. Pass in the End Zone

First and goal on the B-5. A80 leaps and clearly controls a pass while airborne in the end zone. He is going to the ground and loses the ball as his body hits in the end zone. Officials rule TD. RULING: Reviewable play, regarding whether pass was complete. Overturn to incomplete pass, A 2-Goal on B-5 (Rule 12-3-2a). This would also apply in the field of play.

34. Pass in the End Zone

First and goal on the B-5. A80 controls a pass in the air in Team B's end zone, gets both feet clearly down and is then hit by a defender causing him to go to the ground where he loses possession of the ball. The pass is ruled complete. RULING: Reviewable play. Confirm ruling on the field. Completed pass. Touchdown.

Note: If the receiver remains upright with the ball and maintains control long enough to perform an act common to the game, the ball is dead in Team B's end zone and is a touchdown. If he then goes to the ground as the result of a second occurrence, it remains a touchdown. If he goes to the ground during the process of the catch and loses the ball, whether on his own or due to contact by an opponent, then the pass is incomplete (Rule 12-3-2a).

35. Pass at the Sideline

First and 10 on the A-20. A10 throws a forward pass to A80 who controls the ball and gets his left foot down in bounds at the A-35 near the sideline and maintains control of the ball as he goes to the ground out of bounds. The pass is ruled incomplete. RULING: Reviewable play regarding whether the pass was complete or incomplete. Overturn to completed pass. A 1-10 on A-35, start clock on the referee's signal or snap depending on time remaining in the half (Rules 12-3-2a and 12-3-3h).

36. Pass at a Sideline

Third and 10 on the A-30. A80 controls a pass at the 50 and 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 the pass complete. RULING: Reviewable play. Overturn to incomplete pass, A 4-10 on A-30, reset clock if after the Two-Minute Timeout. If during a normal step any part of the foot touches out of bounds, the foot is out of bounds (toe/heel or heel/toe) (Rules 12-3-2a and 12-3-3-h).

37. Pass at a Sideline

First and 10 on the A-20. A10 throws a pass to A80 at the A-35 near the sideline. A80 gets one foot down in bounds. A80's other foot then clearly touches out of bounds, and after a delay is contacted by a defender causing him to go to the ground and he loses possession of the ball. The pass is ruled complete. RULING: Reviewable play, regarding whether pass was complete. Confirm call on the field. Completed pass, A l-10 on A-35. (Rules 12-3-2a and 12-3-3h).

38. Pass at a Sideline

First and 10 on the A-20. A10 throws a pass to A80 at the A-35 near the sideline. A80 gains possession of the pass and runs for a touchdown. Officials rule that A80 was touching the sideline when he gained possession and rule the pass incomplete. Replays show that A80 was not touching the sideline. RULING: Reviewable play, regarding whether A80 was touching the sideline when he gained possession. Overturn to completed pass. A 1-10 on A-35, start on the referee's signal. Team A is awarded the catch but no advance since the incomplete pass ruling on the field ended the down (Rule 12-3-2a and 12-3-3h).

39. Pass at Pylon

1/10 @ B-20. Al0 throws a pass to A80 at the B-2 near the sideline. A80 gains control of the ball while airborne and his right foot hits the pylon before his left foot lands inbounds in the end zone. Officials rule touchdown. RULING: Reviewable play. Overturn to incomplete pass. The pylon is out of bounds, and a player who touches it with any part of his body is also out of bounds. A 2-10 on B-20 (Rule 12-3-2a and 12-3-3h). If the right foot hits the pylon at the same time the left foot lands in bounds, the player is out of bounds.

40. Receiver Stepping Out of Bounds

First and 10 on the A-20. A10 throws a pass to A80 at the A-40 near the sideline. A80 catches the ball and runs to the 50 where he is tackled. There are no flags on the play. Replays show that A-80 stepped out of bounds on his own at the A35, before coming back inbounds to catch the pass. RULING: Reviewable play. Overturn to illegal touching of a pass. A 2-10 on A-20, reset clock if after the Two-Minute Timeout. (Rules 12-3-2b, 12-3-3h and 12-3-8e).

41. Receiver Stepping Out of Bounds

First and 10 on the A-20. A10 throws a pass to A80 at the A-40 near the sideline. A80 catches the ball and runs to the 50 where he is tackled, but the side judge rules that A80 stepped on the sideline at the A30 and came back inbounds to catch the pass. Replays show that A-80 did not step on the sideline. RULING: Reviewable play. Overturn to no foul. A 1-10 on 50, start clock on the referee's signal (Rules 12-3-2b and 12-3-3h).

42. Receiver Forced Out of Bounds

First and 10 on the A-20. A10 throws a pass to A80 at the A-40 near the sideline. A80 catches the ball and runs to the 50 where he is tackled. The side judge throws his flag for illegal touching as A80 stepped out of bounds at the A-35 before coming back inbounds to catch the pass. Replays show that B37 clearly shoved A80 out of bounds at the A-35. RULING: Reviewable play. Overturn to no foul, completed pass. The action must be clear and overt. A 1-10 on 50, start clock on the referee's signal (Rules 12-3-2b and 12-3-3h).

43. Receiver Forced Out of Bounds

First and 10 on the A-20. A10 throws a pass to A80 at the A-40 near the sideline. A80 comes from out of bounds, reestablishes inbounds, catches the ball, then runs to the 50 where he is tackled. The side judge rules that A80 was blocked out of bounds by B37 and legally touched the ball. Replays show there clearly was no contact between A80 and B37 RULING: Reviewable play. Overturn to foul for illegal touching. A 2-10 on A-20 (Rules 12-3-2b and 12-3-3h). In this situation the replay official cannot rule on the severity of the contact, but if there is clear and obvious video evidence that there was no contact then the play is reviewable.

44. Out of Bounds Player Attempting to Catch Pass

3/10 @ A-30. QBA1 is under pressure and attempts to throw the ball out of bounds from the A-25. B1 is standing at the sideline at the A-42 and leaves both feet to attempt to intercept the pass. B1 controls the ball and comes down with his left foot in bounds before stepping out of bounds with his right. The officials rule interception. Replays show B1 with both heels on the sideline and his toes in bounds, and then in one motion he leaves his feet and controls the pass while airborne. RULING: Reviewable play regarding whether B1 intercepted the pass. Overturn to incomplete pass, A 4/10 @ A-30. B1 is out of bounds and must perform a separate act beyond just leaving his feet to re-establish back in bounds. If part of a player's foot is out of bounds and then he leaves his feet in a normal jumping motion, the player is still out of bounds until he subsequently gets a body part down in bounds.

45. Receiver Out or Bounds

First and 10 on the A-20. A10 throws a pass to A80 at the A-40 near the sideline. A80, running near the sideline, steps on the sideline as he leaps to get the ball. He grasps the ball while in the air, lands inbounds, and continues to the end zone. The side judge rules touchdown. RULING: Reviewable play. Overturn to incomplete pass. A 2/10 @ A-20, reset clock if after the Two-Minute Timeout. (Rules 2-27-15-a2, 12-3-2b and 12-3-3h).

46. Pass Going Forward or Backward

First and 10 on the A-20. At the A-17, A10 throws a backward pass that is ruled forward and incomplete. After the ball hit the ground at the A-16, it was recovered by B77. RULING: Reviewable play. Overturn to B 1-10 on A-16. No advance is allowed (Rule 12-3-2e). If the pass is ruled forward and is incomplete, the play is reviewable only if the ball goes out of bounds or if there is clear recovery of a loose ball in the immediate continuing action after the loose ball. If the replay official does not have clear and obvious video evidence as to which team recovers or confirmation from the on-field officials, the ruling of incomplete pass is upheld.

47. Passer Beyond the Neutral Zone

First and 10 on the A-20. A10 scrambles to the A-19 1/2 and throws a pass that is completed for a touchdown. The line judge flags the passer for being beyond the neutral zone when the pass is thrown. RULING: Reviewable play, regarding whether A10 was beyond the neutral zone when he released the ball. Overturn to no foul. Touchdown counts. Passer's whole body and the ball must be beyond the neutral zone for the pass to be illegal (Rule 12-3-2c).

48. Illegal Forward Pass

First and 10 on the A-20. B45 intercepts a forward pass at the 50 and returns it to the A-25, where he throws the ball to B33. B33 catches the ball at the A-23 and carries it across Team A's goal line. Officials rule TD. RULING: Reviewable play, regarding B45’s pass being backward or forward. Overturn to illegal forward pass, B 1-10 on A-30 (Rule 12-3-2d).

49. Illegal Forward Pass

First and 10 on the A-20. A10 throws a backward pass from the A-18 to back A22 at the A-16. A22 immediately throws a pass down field to A80, who catches it and runs for a touchdown. The line judge throws his flag for an illegal forward pass, ruling that A10’s pass was forward. RULING: Reviewable play, regarding Al0’s pass being forward or backward. Overturn to legal play. Touchdown counts (Rule 12-3-2e).

50. Pass Touched by a Defensive Player

Third and 10 at the A-30. Al's pass to A80 is ruled incomplete, but B45 is flagged for defensive pass interference at the A-45. The pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage by B77 prior to the interference. RULING: Reviewable play, regarding whether and when B77 touched the ball. Overturn to no foul, A 4-10 on A-30. (Rule 12-3-2b). In order to overturn the call on the field, the touching must occur away from and prior to the contact that caused the interference.

51. Pass Touched by a Defensive Player

First and 10 on the A-20. A10 throws a pass to A80 at the A-35. The back judge rules defensive pass interference, but the flag is picked up because the officials rule the ball was touched by B77 at the A-22 before the foul. Replays showed the ball was not touched prior to the interference. RULING: Reviewable play, regarding whether and when B77 touched the ball. Overturn to a foul for pass interference. A 1-10 on A-35 (Rule 12-3-2b).

52. Pass Touched by Defensive Player-Referee Announcement

Third and 10 at the A10 throws a pass to A85 at the B-25. The umpire rules the ball was tipped at the line of scrimmage and gives the tip signal. Defender B24 plays through the back of A85 but no flag is thrown. The back judge reports to the referee that he did not have a flag for defensive pass interference because he saw the tip signal by the umpire. The referee announces, “There is no foul for pass interference because the ball was tipped.” RULING: A tip signal or the referee's announcement allows the replay official to stop the game for a review to determine if the ball was or was not tipped. Replay then can communicate to the referee that the ball was not tipped, overturn the ruling on the field and create a foul for defensive pass interference if there is clear and obvious video evidence that there was no tip of the ball. First and 10 for Team A at the B-35.

53. Pass Touched Behind Neutral Zone

Third and 10 at the 50. A10 throws a forward pass to A89 who catches it at the A-49 and is tackled at the B-39. The umpire flags left tackle A75 for being five yards downfield when the pass was released. After conferring with the line judge, the officials advise the referee that A89 caught the ball beyond the neutral zone at the B-48. The referee announces, “Ineligible receiver downfield, #75.” RULING: Reviewable play. The replay official may determine only the status of the pass when touched, but he may not determine the location of players at the time the ball was released. The replay official informs the referee that the pass was touched behind the neutral zone, overturning the ruling of an ineligible receiver downfield. First and 10 for Team A at the B-39.

54. Pass Touched Beyond Neutral Zone-Referee Announcement

Third and 10 at the 50. A10 throws a forward pass to A89 who catches it at the B-49 and is tackled at the B-39. The umpire flags left tackle A75 for being five yards downfield when the pass was released. After conferring with the line judge, the officials advise the referee that A89 caught the ball behind the neutral zone, at the A-49. The referee announces, “There is no foul for ineligible receiver downfield, #75; the ball was caught behind the neutral zone.” RULING: The referee's announcement allows the replay official to stop the game to review where the ball was first touched in relation to the neutral zone. The replay official informs the referee that the pass was touched beyond the neutral zone, overturning the ruling on the field. The flag is returned to the ground and the penalty for an ineligible receiver downfield is enforced. Third and 15 for Team A at the A-45.

55. Pass Touched Behind Neutral Zone-Referee Announcement

Third and 10 at the 50. A10 throws a forward pass to A89 who catches the ball at the B-49 and is tackled at the B-35. The side judge flags A90 for blocking downfield on the pass (offensive pass interference). After conferring with the Head Linesman, the officials advise the referee that A89 caught the pass behind the neutral zone, at the A-49. The referee announces, “There is no foul for offensive pass interference, as the ball was caught behind the neutral zone.” RULING: The referee's announcement allows the replay official to stop the game to review where the ball was first touched in relation to the neutral zone. The replay official informs the referee that the pass was touched beyond the neutral zone, overturning the ruling on the field. The flag is returned to the ground and the penalty for offensive pass interference is enforced. Third and 25 for Team A at the A-35.

56. Pass Touched by a Defensive Player

First and 10 on the B-30. A10 throws a pass to A80 that is deflected in the air and caught by Tackle A77 who runs to the B-15 where he is tackled. Officials penalize A77 for illegal touching. Replays show that B99 touched the pass before A77 caught it. RULING: Reviewable play, regarding whether B99 touched the ball. Overturn to no foul, A 1-10 on B-15 (Rule 12-3-2b).

57. Pass Touched by Ineligible Player

First and 10 on the A-30. Tackle A77 is penalized for intentionally touching a legal forward pass. Replays show that the ball hit A77 in the shoulder. RULING: Reviewable play, regarding whether A77 touched the ball. Cannot review the intentional aspect of the play. Confirm ruling on the field, A 2-15 on A-25 (Rule 12-3-2b).

58. Coach's Challenge - Reviewable Aspect Changed

Third and nine at the A-30. End A80 runs a deep curl pattern near the sideline. He then turns and makes an attempt to catch the forward pass but the officials rule that it is incomplete. The Team A head coach challenges the ruling of an incomplete pass, his first challenge of the game. RULING: The replay official determines that A80 stepped out of bounds on his own, reestablished inbounds, and then made a clean catch. Fourth and nine at the A-30. Because the coach's challenge regarding the catch was successful, even though A80 fouled by touching the pass after having returned from out of bounds, the coach still has one challenge remaining and Team A is not charged with a timeout.  [Exception: Coach challenges the line to gain, the spot is adjusted, but the down does not change.] 

Non-Reviewable Play Situations on Passing Plays

59. Receiver Forced Out of Bounds

First and 10 on the A-20. A10 throws a pass to A80 at the A-40 near the sideline. A80 catches the ball and runs to the 50 where he is tackled. The side judge rules that B22 shoved A80 out of bounds and that A80 caught the pass inbounds. Replays show that B22 did contact A80 and then A80 went out of bounds. RULING: Not reviewable as to whether A80 was forced out of bounds. If there was no contact or the receiver did not step out of bounds, then the play is reviewable. A 1/10 @ 50. NOTE: A80 must reestablish himself as an inbounds player for the catch to be legal.

60. Ineligible Receiver Downfield

First and 10 on the B-20. A22 catches a screen pass at the B-18 and runs for a touchdown. A70 was downfield at the B-15 when the pass was thrown, but there are no flags on the play. RULING: Not reviewable. Touchdown counts.

61. Ineligible Receiver Downfield

First and 10 on the B-20. Flanker A88 moves up onto the line of scrimmage and “covers up” tight end A80 making him ineligible. A80 goes downfield and catches a pass at the B-8 where he is tackled. There are no flags on the play. RULING: Not reviewable. A 1/Goal @ B-8.

62. Legality of Pass

First and 10 on the A-20. A10 is under pressure at the A-15 and throws a pass which lands incomplete behind the line of scrimmage. The referee flags A10 for intentional grounding. Eligible receiver A22 was within two yards of the ball when it hit the ground. RULING: Not reviewable. Intentional grounding, A 2-15 on A-15. The location of the pass in relation to the line of scrimmage is reviewable, but not the location of an eligible receiver.

63. Passer Stepping Out of Bounds

Third and nine at the B-41. All rolls out toward the sideline as A80 runs a short curl pattern near that sideline. A80 makes the catch at the B-30. The officials rule that All had stepped out of bounds at the B-45 prior to releasing the ball. The Team A head coach requests to challenge the ruling that the quarterback stepped out of bounds; this would be Team A's first challenge of the game. Replays clearly show that All did not step out of bounds. RULING: The play is not reviewable and Team A is charged with a timeout. A 4-13 on B-45 (Rule l2-3-3g). This play is not reviewable regardless of the status of the football in the continuing action.