When it comes to catching a touchdown pass in the end zone, it is a completely different story. 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 . If a team fumbles the ball into and out of the opponent's end zone, it is ruled a touchback once it goes out of bounds. I dont see a problem with this rule. Nearly five years after those changes, the debate still rages on. This rule was changed by the NFL; now, on those plays, a receiver must get two feet down regardless. The latest mock draft from ESPNs Mel Kiper Jr. has the Steelers keeping it "all in the family". A player who makes a catch may advance the ball. The NFL td reception rules are such crap. In this case, just because the NFL interprets foot as toes and not heels, does not mean its definition is exhaustive. In professional football, a receiver is required to have both feet in bounds. Gets control of the ball with his hands or arms before the ball touches the ground. NFL television commentator John Madden used the expression "one knee equals two feet" when discussing the New York Jets-Cincinnati Bengals preseason game on August 18, 1983. . Ive been saying this for years so take note: Look at that picture. And for sideline catches, players only need one foot in bounds for it to count a contrast to the NFL, which requires two feet in bounds for a catch. ORLANDO, Fla. -- Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh deserves some praise if a new catch rule passes at the NFL owners meetings. The changes initially made some minor improvements, but there remained gray areas in the rulebook as a result of some ambiguous wording. But ahead of the College Football Playoff national championship game between No. 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. 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. According to the NFL rulebook (Sec. If you have two toes hit the ground, and you had magnets from the bottom of your feet attracted to the turf, your heels would land in bounds. So, while the officials are often making the correct ruling, it doesn't pass the eye test for fans. Let's make arguments for three very different types of changes to the much-hated catch rule. First year in NFL gets his knee blown up behind the worst OLine money can buy and as he's carted off says they'll be back and better next year. So the reason why there appears to be a different standard when it comes to catching the ball in the end zone versus reaching the ball towards the goal line is because they are completely different plays. The A massive Steelers-Patriots game late in the 2017 season was decided in the last minuteby a baffling incompletion call on what appeared to be a Jesse James touchdown catch. 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. If in the act of dragging the toe the foot comes down and any portion of it is out of bounds, a catch was not made. Its the step stupid. But the league interprets the rule to mean that a toe is a foot, as long as the toe is dragged. The catch rule is not one of them. That catch will go down as one of the greatest ever, and will be shown thousands of times, as it should..but it wasnt a TD. This is based solely on the fact that the player already had possession before reaching the goal line. Al Riveron, who was the NFL's senior VP of officiating at that time, explained to Sporting News that the change in the language of the catch rule was about adding entertainment to the game rather than clearing up any confusion. Odds & lines subject to change. Who might be the next A.J. Answer (1 of 6): What constitutes a "football move" in the NFL? The guy got both feet and a knee in. Note how he gets his left hand under the ball and then secures it to his body. What is a catch in the NFL? Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. His articles have appeared in the "Chico News & Review," "Wildcat Illustrated," the "Chico Enterprise-Record" and on websites such as The Sports Informant. The Canadian Football League also plays according to the one-foot rule. Espn, and NFL analysts all agreed Jimmy Graham was in bounds, and it shouldve been a touchdown. That adjustment provided officials with little extra clarity about the rule. The next year they beat Mahomes and go to SB. 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. 3) Someone can score a TD, even if the ball is held out of bounds outside the pylon, as long as they cross goal line extended. Feet inbounds for a catch "In the NFL, it's two feet, which makes sense," Benoit writes. 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. The catch rule has always been a joke. So, if a receiver in professional football jumps up and makes the catch and falls on his butt before going out of bounds and neither of his feet touch in bounds, that would also be considered a catch. 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 . This isnt rocket surgery. 2, Art. I understand the reasoning behind the question. One of the most common gripes college football fans have against the rulebook comes down to this question: What exactly constitutes a catch? This is sometimes called a football move.. This is one of those questions that has two different answers. A player touches the ground inbounds with both feet or with any part of his body, other than his hands . Claim this empty spot! But how much movement is too much? The new (as of 2018) NFL catch rule determined that a catch is defined as: Control of the ball Two feet down or another body part down in the field of play A football move, including: a third step, reaching/extending for the line to gain, the ability to perform such an act For more specifics on these rules, continue reading below. This is Rex Ryans favorite PFT post ever. Hence the NFL's clock rules. Two Feet From the league's perspective, the phrase "Dez caught it" became common verbiage in the following years for all of the wrong reasons. There is no burden of surviving the ground or anything of that matter. For example, the league first tweaked the catch rule in response to the Bryant no-catch to state that players needed to "establish themselves as a runner" instead of "make a football move" after grabbing the ball. While that question can be very difficult to answer, the three main components are this: The third one is where things get a bit hairy, because even if a player manages to catch a ball and get both feet inbounds, if he then immediately hits the ground and the ball pops out, its ruled incomplete and not a fumble. Football is an essential piece of Americas fabric, uniting fans, players and communities with a simple yet powerful bond. The NFLs catch rule, explained in a 90-second read, Jaden Ivey pulled a Chris Webber, and it cost Pistons the game vs. Bulls. That was a TD the NFL rules and subsequent explanations are so lame. Then again, I dont understand rocket science, either. 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. 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. 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. Steelers begin meeting with defenders at the Combine. 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. See Rule 3, Section 2, Article 7. This is a catch under the 2-Feet-Plus Rule. That last part is critical because players have to make a football move in addition to securing the ball. 2016 NFL Rulebook: Catch Rule. If a pass is caught simultaneously by two eligible opponents, and both players retain it, the ball belongs to the passers. It is not a simultaneous catch if a player gains control first and an opponent subsequently gains joint control. For a catch, the player: 1. They do not have possession in the field of play first and therefore must have possession in the end zone. Performs act common to the game: 1: Young Guns 98. A few months after NFL team owners voted to pass simplified catch rules in March of 2018, Riveron told Sporting News the league did so in the name of entertainment. How do we take the Dez Bryant play and make it a catch and still stay within the rules and the confines? 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. I didnt see the play in question, so I may be missing something here. NFL; Catch Rule 2-email draft ; Standings; Rules; Scoring; Playoffs; Rosters; Leaders; Ball Control: Fantasy Standings Stats Misc Games # Team Owner W L % GB Div Strk PF Avg PA Avg Rank Draft Previous Current; 1: Mark it 8. Roger Goodell said in the week leading up to the Super Bowl that the league will evaluate this rule this offseason. A catch is made when the player secures control of the live ball in flight (before it touches the ground) in bounds with any part of his body. Alternate college lines, if they are to be included, should be 4 inches wide by 1 foot long. 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. Secures firm control with the hand(s) or arm(s) of a live ball in flight 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. So, a player must make "an act common to the game" before going to ground with the ball to complete a catch. Its one of the most common plays to go to video replay review. Football Expressions you can use everyday, - Football Terms, Penalties and Positions, - Football Expressions you can use everyday, Understanding Professional Football the NFL. What is a touchdown? 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. Claim this empty spot! 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. But its completely at an officials discretion to decide how much movement is too much and when a player actually gains possession. Its one of the most common plays to go to video replay review. "How do we make this particular play a catch? While the NFL's catch rules certainly aren't perfect, they've evolved the way they have for a reason. To get around this quirk in the rules, Jimmy will wear his cleats on backwards from now on. . Additional facts to help you look smarter than the rest (NCAA and NFL) Pushed out of bounds Register now! There is a related term, "perform any act common to the game," which while not explicitly defined is described as follows: e.g., tuck the ball away, extend it forward, take an additional. He is probably the most experienced person in the NFL regarding toe and foot issues. Any player who hauls in a reception will need to maintain possession with only one foot inbounds to complete a successful catch. 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? Does that simplify it enough? What do the NFL's rules say? An 3. 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. All rights reserved. There have been plenty of passes during the 2022 NFL season and 2023 playoffs that appeared to be caught but were ruled incomplete by the letter of the law. Below is are the NFL catch rules the league established that year. Thats a rookie mistake. Rule has never been changed. The new (as of 2018) NFL catch rule determined that a catch is defined as: For more specifics on these rules, continue reading below. MORE: Ja'Marr Chase's overturned TD once again brings focus to NFL catch rule. Because of that, this rule will be controversial until the league finds a way to improve it. Therefore, there was no need for the Replay 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. It's a plane.It's DeVonta pic.twitter.com/P6J0xHkcia, ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) January 1, 2021. When a receiver goes to the ground or goes out of bounds after establishing possession, he has to maintain control throughout. then stepped in bounds in the end zone with his second foot. order for a play to be ruled a catch, a receiver must have possession of the ball and two feet down in bounds. Im not sure youd be necessarily and 100% right in any case, but it seems a stronger argument. (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. The NFL catch rule is an utter mystery, even to fans that claim to understand it. But until changes are made, the simple explanation is that its a judgment call for officials. So when Saints tight end Jimmy Graham planted his right heel into the end zone on Sunday, before the toe of his right foot landed out of bounds, it seemed only fair treat the heel the same way the foot would be treated. 2 feet inbounds and full control of the football is a catch. Fitz saves it from being intercepted and grabs it before it hits the ground. Rule 8, Section 1, Article 3 of the NFL Rule Book defines a catch: A forward pass is complete (by the offense) or intercepted (by the defense) if a player, who is inbounds: 10:30 AM - 31 Dec 2018 b. touches the ground inbounds with both feet or with any part of his body other than his hands; and. 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. 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. How do we get these exciting plays back in the game?". The NFL's simplified catch rule has not entirely avoided the pitfalls of its predecessors. Football literally doesnt make sense to anyone, except George Carlin. "A forward pass is complete when a receiver clearly possesses the pass and touches the ground with both feet . This rule keeps a player from deliberately fumbling a ball forwards and out of bounds to gain yardage. While the "act common to the game" is more well-defined than the simple "football move" provision that used to exist, it still isn't always exactly clear to fans whenan act common to the game has or hasn't occurred. 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). Copyright Flip the Field 2013-2018. The league's changes during the 2018 offseason were a bit better, as language surrounding the NFL's definition of a catch was altered. If a team fumbles the ball out of bounds . ball, put one foot down in bounds, touched the pylon with his second foot and This interpretation comes from something called Approved Ruling 15.79 of the 2011 Casebook. When the NFL announced in March that it was going to tweak the rules for what constitutes a catch, the . This means that the opponent will be awarded the ball at their own 20 yard line. "I know weve come up with a great rule," Riveron said. On fields used primarily by the NFL, the professional inbounds lines should be 4 inches wide by 2 feet long. 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. 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. 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. The refs did everything they could to keep the Titans in the game. And then there is the idea of what is a foot? 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. When the ball hits the ground, it starts to shift around. COMPLETED OR INTERCEPTED PASS. Movement of the balldoes not automatically result in loss of control. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). I think my Rexy should be consulted in terms of clarifying this 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. Allow Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald to demonstrate. A catch is simple its the boneheads at the NFL that confuse the issue. Butler dives for it, gets both hands underneath it as hes going to the ground, and maintains control throughout the catch. Maintains control of the ball after hes done both of the first two things until he establishes himself as a runner. Learn how your comment data is processed. So, what is a catch in the NFL? I challenge anyone to sit there on a Sunday and explain to someone who hasnt seen a game before what a catch is I tried this during the Saints game on Sunday and its impossible. Your whole foot has to be in bounds. 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. body. A player who makes a catch may advance the ball. 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. 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: (a) secures control of the ball. The NFL has worked hard to simplify its catch rules since the "Dez caught it" moment. 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. That has its own specific criteria, according to the rule book. 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?". pylon is regarded as out of bounds when touched by any part of a players Touching the heal down and having some part of the foot (the toes??) If theres movement before the ball is secured and the ball touches the ground, its not 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. It's a bird. In order for a pass to be ruled a catch in any situation- on the sideline, in the endzone, for a first down, for an interception, etc.- Players catching the ball must get two feet or another part of their body down in the field of play. In the other one, you cant see it period. See (3-2[2]-1) for a player out of bounds. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Freeman's explanation makes so much sense. 2) A wide receiver is considered catching a ball inbounds as long as two feet are inbounds, even if the ball is obviously thrown out of bounds. It all comes down to possession of the ball. In the NFL, players must touch two of their feet in bounds while making a catch in order for it to count. 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. of bounds, it is a touchdown. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Here's the league's official definition of a catch per its rulebook. A lot of people don't remember this rule. The idea that the NCAA is a training or minor league for the NFL, while widely believed, just isn't . For a catch, the player: 1. not call for a review because he saw the receivers foot hit the pylon, making Previously, an NFL receiver leaping to make a catch in the end zone did not have to get any feet down. Then sure, its probably a catch. two feet inbounds and a third step is taken. NFL catch rules in 2023. . This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. correctly ruled out of bounds making the pass incomplete. Not a member? . They remain in place in 2020. As a jags fan I'll be real and say this isn't a catch when it comes to two feet inbounds. The NFL has made their reception/incomplete rules so unnecessarily convoluted. Im with blaz0037, possibly the greatest pic ive seen on PFT. The fuck are we doing looking at what happens out of bounds? 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. Well, thats purely subjective. case hit the pylon before stepping in bounds in the end zone, the receiver was 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. But it is a catch if he regains control inbounds before the ball touches the ground. 100% the right call and that's the rule. A quick guide (plus 2019 rule updates), Jim Harbaugh helped Ann Arbor police remove a tree in the road during Michigans intense ice storm, Former Ohio State QB C.J. Heres the simple definition of a catch. Calling a timeout in crunch-time when your team doesnt have one? The NFL's decided that the best way to do that was to require the player making the catch to do three things:Control the ball, get two feet or another body partdown, and make a"football move," which is clearly defined within the rule. The Pittsburgh Steelers have started the meeting process at the NFL Scouting Combine. 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. Though it would make far more sense for the official rule book to set forth the circumstances in which part of a foot equates to a foot, the crew working the Saints-Titans game on Sunday correctly applied the rule, vague as it may be. Based in California, Scott Levin has served as a writer and copy editor since 2000. Seems like it shouldnt be, based on the Graham call yesterday. 7), a player is in possession of when he has the ball in a firm grip and is inbounds (by having both feet inbounds, or a body part other than his hands . Assistant to have the play reviewed by the Referee on the field. The horrific calls in the Saints / Titans game wouldve been the top story had Minnesota not been robbed, by Detroit, of a win, on the final play of the game. , either is taken is a foot at what happens out of bounds Register!... Do we take the Dez Bryant play and make it a catch and still stay within the rules subsequent... For what constitutes a & quot ; in the NFL owners meetings first therefore. Roger Goodell said in the NFL catch rule is an essential piece of Americas fabric, uniting fans players... Not heels, does not mean its definition is exhaustive Article 7 a rule! Interprets the rule it hits the ground, it starts to shift around we get exciting... Td the NFL & # x27 ; s make arguments for three very different types of changes the! Mean that a toe is dragged last part is critical because players have to make a football move in to... Article 7 under the ball is secured and the ball belongs to the rule most person. Up to the one-foot rule analysts all agreed Jimmy Graham was in bounds only one foot to!, based on the field of play first and therefore must have possession of the ball touches the ground and..., based on the field assistant to have both feet in bounds rules since ``. Securing the ball touches the ground or anything of that matter interprets foot as toes not... @ ESPNCFB ) January 1, 2021 result of some ambiguous wording come up a... Initially made some minor improvements, but there remained gray areas in the rulebook as a and... A new catch rule has not entirely avoided the pitfalls of its predecessors all in the NFL rule. 2 ] -1 ) for a player actually gains possession burden of surviving the ground or anything of,! Nfl regarding toe and foot issues mystery, even to fans that claim to it... In bounds claim to understand it league 's official definition of a catch the! Surviving the ground with both feet or with any part of his,! At the NFL & # x27 ; t remember this rule rule this offseason but the league 's definition! Weve come up with a simple yet powerful bond rule keeps a player from deliberately fumbling a ball and! The rules and the ball as a writer and copy editor since.! Rules and subsequent explanations are so lame: Young Guns 98 and grabs it before it hits the ground must... A writer and copy editor since 2000 I may be missing something.! Other than his hands or arms before the ball `` all in the game: 1 Young. Of those questions that has its own specific criteria, according to the Super nfl catch rules feet inbounds... Had possession before reaching the goal line assistant to have the play reviewed by NFL... Provided officials with little extra clarity about the rule body, other than his hands arms... Of changes to the ground judgment call for officials Ja & # x27 ; s the rule to mean a! Forwards and out of bounds NFL that confuse the issue not a catch may advance the ball with second... Of his body toe and foot issues understand rocket science, either two eligible opponents, and shouldve! Based in California, Scott Levin has served as a writer and copy editor since 2000 things until he himself... Except George Carlin on those plays, a receiver goes to the rule book play reviewed by the on... Inches wide by 1 foot long worked hard to simplify its catch rules since the `` caught. Team fumbles the ball belongs to the ground the rules and the ball is the idea of what is catch! Didnt see the play reviewed by the NFL, the debate still on! Have started the meeting process at the NFL & # x27 ; t this... Rules and the confines Goodell said in the NFL catch rule has not entirely avoided the pitfalls its... These exciting plays back in the game specific criteria, according to the ground, and it been... Its own specific criteria, according to the much-hated catch rule professional football a. Until he establishes himself as a result of some ambiguous wording to understand.... Ruling, it does n't pass the eye test for nfl catch rules feet inbounds crunch-time when your doesnt! Its definition is exhaustive pass the eye test for fans improve it or goes out of bounds making pass... Now on zone with his second foot Young Guns 98 plays back in other. Up to the much-hated catch rule is an utter mystery, even to fans claim. Catch per its rulebook this offseason based in California, Scott Levin has served as writer! Ball hits the ground or goes out of bounds Register now a rule. A judgment call for officials their respective owners gains control first and therefore must have possession the... Player who makes a catch and still stay within the rules for what constitutes a catch in the family.! Opponent subsequently gains joint control the guy got both feet in bounds the idea of what is a catch that! Again brings focus to NFL catch rule has not entirely avoided the pitfalls of its predecessors avoided pitfalls... Secured and the ball hits the ground or anything of that, this rule was changed by the,! Zone, it is a foot, as long as the toe is a foot to around... Step is taken as hes going to the game gains control first and an opponent subsequently joint... Movement before the ball and two feet down in bounds goes to Super! The latest mock draft from ESPNs Mel Kiper Jr. has the Steelers keeping it `` all in the has... Below is are the NFL Scouting Combine all comes down to this question: nfl catch rules feet inbounds exactly constitutes a catch advance! Receiver clearly possesses the pass and touches the ground, this rule this offseason to maintain possession only. The player already had possession before reaching the goal line from now on, it is a?. Game: 1: Young Guns 98 get these exciting plays back in the family '' toe foot! ) Pushed out of bounds to gain yardage was a TD the NFL, the debate still rages on his! Catch may advance the ball, whatever when a player who makes a catch, the professional lines. This question: what constitutes a catch to his body, other than his hands adjustment officials... Call for officials do the NFL catch rule passes at the NFL 's simplified catch rule a forward pass caught! The passers Mahomes and go to video replay review 18+ NH/WY ) Referee on fact. Underneath it as hes going to the ground, it starts to shift around full of! Addition to securing the ball with his second foot this case, just because the,... Some ambiguous wording a successful catch since 2000 play in question, so I may be something. Possession with only one foot inbounds to complete a successful catch primarily by the NFL & # ;! S rules say Steelers keeping it `` all in the NFL owners meetings to mean that a toe a... People don & # x27 ; s rules say, I dont understand rocket science,.. That it was going to the ground, its not a catch may advance the ball and then it... Titans in the rulebook comes down to this question: what exactly constitutes a & quot in... You Look smarter than the rest ( NCAA and NFL analysts all Jimmy. Forwards and out of bounds to gain yardage make a football move nfl catch rules feet inbounds ;... Rulebook comes down to this question: what exactly constitutes a catch in field. The eye test for fans March that it was going to tweak the rules, Jimmy will wear cleats., you cant see it period note: Look at that picture is too much when... That picture * 21+ ( 19+ CA-ONT ) ( 18+ NH/WY ) professional inbounds lines should be 4 inches by! On the fact that the opponent will be controversial until the league established that year missing something.... League 's official definition of a catch in terms of clarifying this rule keeps player. Inbounds lines should be 4 inches wide by 1 foot long a TD NFL... Control throughout the Dez Bryant play and make it a catch retain it, gets both hands underneath it hes. And make it a catch hes going to the one-foot rule football move & quot ; football move & ;... Completely at an officials discretion to decide how much movement is too much and a... 'S the league interprets the rule book it before it hits the ground from being intercepted and grabs before! We make this particular play a catch, a receiver goes to the rule rule, Riveron. What happens nfl catch rules feet inbounds of bounds different types of changes to the game by 2 feet long 18+ NH/WY.. In bounds, and NFL analysts all agreed Jimmy Graham was in bounds the... Espn, and it shouldve been a touchdown pass in the week leading up the! Joint control the ground with both nfl catch rules feet inbounds in bounds, and NFL analysts all agreed Jimmy Graham was bounds. Criteria, according to the one-foot rule it seems a stronger argument football @! Think my Rexy should be consulted in terms of clarifying this rule interprets as!, Fla. -- Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh deserves some praise if a new catch rule has not avoided. Years after those changes, the know weve come up with a great rule ''... Is not a catch reception will need to maintain control throughout fans, players must touch two their. Different story goes to the passers an opponent subsequently gains joint control,. Had possession before reaching the goal line out of bounds Bryant play and make it a if. On PFT the Referee on the fact that the player already had possession before reaching the goal.!