IHSA Rule Question

[CoachHansen05]

I've asked a few people on social media, but I thought I'd throw it out here for any potential rules experts or officials. If a ball carrier touches the ball to the ground, is he down? Thanks!

 

[jcrewx7]

My uneducated guess is no.

 

[Cross Bones]

I would guess no since you can pick up a fumble. You can also put your hand down.

 

[chuck998]

If the ball carrier is in possession of the ball and touched the ball to the ground, the play continues.

 

[Goomlah]

Assuming the ball is the only thing that's on the ground besides a hand or foot, he's not down.

 

[UlbKA91]

Something like a soccer flip throw - both hands on the ball and using it as a balance? I could see someone stretching for the goal line and being flipped by a strong hit into the end zone. What if a qb did it behind the line of scrimmage?

 

[kwmyers89]

I would put this to the old saying of "The Ground Can't Cause a Fumble"... If the player has possession of the ball and is falling forward and uses the ball/his hand with the ball to maintain balance he is not down. Player is falling, tries the above, and fumbles as a coach I would say he's down. I believe this would be similar to the catch rule, the player maintains possession as going to ground it's a catch, player doesn't it's incomplete.

So long story short I believe you can use the ball while in your possession to maintain balance, but as soon as it comes in contact with ground and is dislodged by said ground player would be down. Seems very unfair to the defense, but once again the old rule of thumb... "Ground can't cause a fumble"

 

[Goomlah]

I would put this to the old saying of "The Ground Can't Cause a Fumble"... If the player has possession of the ball and is falling forward and uses the ball/his hand with the ball to maintain balance he is not down. Player is falling, tries the above, and fumbles as a coach I would say he's down. I believe this would be similar to the catch rule, the player maintains possession as going to ground it's a catch, player doesn't it's incomplete.

So long story short I believe you can use the ball while in your possession to maintain balance, but as soon as it comes in contact with ground and is dislodged by said ground player would be down. Seems very unfair to the defense, but once again the old rule of thumb... "Ground can't cause a fumble"

You're right except in my above example. IF the ball is the 1st thing to hit the ground other than a foot or hand then it's a fumble. Has happened but not often.

 

[CoachHansen05]

You're right except in my above example. IF the ball is the 1st thing to hit the ground other than a foot or hand then it's a fumble. Has happened but not often.

For example, there is a shotgun snap. The player catching the snap puts the ball on the ground and simulates a fake snap to another player. Is the play live or dead?