Question: The play at issue was a field goal attempt. The snap was caught cleanly by the holder, who was on a knee. The holder flipped the ball blindly over his shoulder to the kicker, who scampered around right end for a touchdown. Is there an exemption in college and high school rules to the knee-down-play-is-deal rule that would allow a holder not to be ruled down? I would imagine that there would have to be an exception to the knee-down-play-is-deal rule -- otherwise every time an extra-point or field goal is attempted the play would be dead just prior to the kick. Steve, can you provide clarity to this situation?
(Note: The play described above took place in a college game).
M.S.G., Concord

Answer: This question is one that is frequently asked by football fans. Under Federation rules, the ball becomes dead when any part of the ball carrier's body touches the ground, other than a hand or foot. There is, however, one exception to this rule. During a field goal attempt or an extra point attempt, the holder is allowed to have one or both knees on the ground when he catches or recovers the snap. He is also allowed to rise to catch or recover an errant snap and immediately return his knee(s) to the ground to hold the ball for the kicker. However, if the holder pitches the ball or hands the ball off to another player, he must rise off of his knees to do so or the ball immediately becomes dead. I saw the above play this past weekend on TV, and my immediate conclusion was that NCAA rules must differ from Federation rules with respect to the holder's ability to pass the ball from his knees. I checked with a colleague who officiates NCAA games and he confirmed that unlike Federation rules, NCAA rules do not require the holder to rise prior to handing or passing the ball.

Question: I've read plenty here about eligible receivers, what numbers they must wear and where they must line up. What I'd like to know is who is allowed to run with the football on a given play? Are pulling linemen allowed to take handoffs?
K.M., Nashua

Answer: Anyone is allowed to run with the ball, and anyone is allowed to take a backward handoff anywhere on the field. There is no numbering requirement for being a runner (which is defined as a player who possesses
a live ball). If your question about a pulling lineman is referring to a forward handoff, there are certain rules that apply. The ball may be handed forward prior to a change of possession on a scrimmage down (i.e.,
not on a down involving a kickoff) as long as both players are behind the line of scrimmage. Forward handing can be made to a back or an end, as long as the end is not the snapper nor adjacent to the snapper. Forward
handing can be made to an interior lineman (including the snapper) as long as the lineman has turned and faced his own goal line and is at least one yard behind the line of scrimmage when he receives the handoff. The intent
of this rule is to prevent trick plays, like the quarterback taking the snap and immediately handing the ball forward to the snapper between the snapper's legs, in what we used to refer to as a "center sneak" during
sandlot play. The penalty for illegal forward handing is five yards plus a loss of down.

 

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