- Soccer Referee Resources
- Home
- Ask a Question
- Articles
- Recent Questions
- Search
- You-Call-It
- Previous You-Call-It's
-
VAR (Video Assistant Referee)
- Q&A Quick Search
- The Field of Play
- The Ball
- The Players
- The Players Equipment
- The Referee
- The Other Match Officials
- The Duration of the Match
- The Start and Restart of Play
- The Ball In and Out of Play
- Determining the Outcome of a Match
- Offside
- Fouls and Misconduct
- Free Kicks
- Penalty kick
- Throw In
- Goal Kick
- Corner Kick
- Common Sense
- Kicks - Penalty Mark
- The Technical Area
- The Fourth Official
- Pre-Game
- Fitness
- Mechanics
- Attitude and Control
- League Specific
- High School
- Common Acronyms
- Meet The Ref
- Advertise
- Contact AskTheRef
- Help Wanted
- About AskTheRef
- Soccer Rules Changes 1580-2000
- Panel Login
|
Question Number: 35700Other 9/15/2024RE: Competitive High School Shawn Gregg of Houston, TX United States asks...Georgia Bulldogs vs. Kentucky Wildcats (NCAA Div 1): Less than 2 minutes left in game. Georgia is on offense and runs a play around the right end, the runner fumbles the ball. The ball rolls forward past the line to gain and another Georgia player recovers and the play is whistled dead upon recovery on the ground. The ball is placed where the Georgia player recovered the ball, not back where the running back fumbled. Georgia is awarded a first down.
Is this correct? I thought that only the player that fumbled the ball could recover for a gain, otherwise the ball goes back to where it was fumbled. Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson HI Shawn, this is a SOCCER, a true world football site, not what we call pointy ball NFL!
However, you’re correct in your understanding of the rule.
According to the NCAA Football Rulebook, specifically Rule 7, Section 2, Article 2 (Forward Fumble). According to this rule, if a player fumbles the ball forward and it is recovered by a teammate, the ball should be placed at the spot of the fumble, not where it was recovered, unless the recovery is made by the player who fumbled the ball' This rule is in place to prevent teams from gaining an unfair advantage by intentionally fumbling the ball forward.
In the scenario you described, if the ball was placed where the Georgia player recovered it and they were awarded a first down, it would be an incorrect application of the rule. The ball should have been placed back at the spot of the fumble. Only if the opposition had recovered the ball without the being downed thus intercepted and started running then they fumbled could this rule possibly be circumvented!
Georgia Bulldogs managed to secure a narrow victory with a final score of 13-12. The Bulldogs struggled for much of that match but managed to pull ahead in the second half thanks to a crucial touchdown by Branson Robinson. Kentucky had a chance to win in the final moments but couldn’t get past the 50-yard line.
If Georgia was say to be incorrectly awarded a first down due to the misplacement of the ball, it could have allowed them to maintain possession and potentially run out the clock, preventing Kentucky from having another opportunity to score.
In close games, every possession and decision can significantly impact the final result. If this error directly influenced Georgia’s ability to secure the win, it could be a critical factor in the game’s outcome.
Cheers
Read other questions answered by Referee Richard Dawson
View Referee Richard Dawson profileAnswer provided by Referee Joe McHugh Hi Shawn This s a soccer site and in my part of the world we call it football, association football.
NFL is shown in this part of the world and from time to time I take an interest in it. I’m always interested in who officials manage other sports.
From my limited knowledge I believe that if a player completes the pass and subsequently fumbles the ball forward that a fumble cannot advance the ball and the restart is at the location of the fumble.
But hey there lots of codes and nuances
Read other questions answered by Referee Joe McHugh
View Referee Joe McHugh profile- Ask a Follow Up Question to Q# 35700
Read other Q & A regarding Other
-
|
- Soccer Referee Extras
-
<>
This web site and the answers to these questions are not sanctioned by or affiliated with any governing body of soccer. The free opinions expressed on this site should not be considered official interpretations of the Laws of the Game and are merely opinions of AskTheRef and our panel members. If you need an official ruling you should contact your state or local representative through your club or league. On AskTheRef your questions are answered by a panel of licensed referees. See Meet The Ref for details about our panel members. While there is no charge for asking the questions, donation to maintain the site are welcomed! <>
|