One of the worst rules in football

[mutiger]

So I was just flipping around TV and Bama/Arky game was on SECN

Saw the play where the Arky RB catches ball at 3 yard line and then fumbles at the 1 and out of the end zone…ruled touchback and Bama ball.

This is the dumbest rule in football. The defense doesn't recover the ball, they shouldn't get the ball. If the ball isn't recovered by either team.....then the ball should be placed back at the spot of the fumble.

 

[bamabear82]

Rule Change: offense can never advance fumble AND... | SportsHoopla.com Sports Forums

I still remember Ingram fumbling the ball against awwbun and it going like 19 yards (literally) down the sideline and out the back of the end zone. Large pile of bullshit it was.

 

[outofyourmind]

El Jexan puts his stamp of approval on this.

 

[TDs3nOut]

So I was just flipping around TV and Bama/Arky game was on SECN

Saw the play where the Arky RB catches ball at 3 yard line and then fumbles at the 1 and out of the end zone…ruled touchback and Bama ball.

This is the dumbest rule in football. The defense doesn't recover the ball, they shouldn't get the ball. If the ball isn't recovered by either team.....then the ball should be placed back at the spot of the fumble.

Absolutely agree. Can't think of a better example to illustrate your point than the last play in this clip.

 

[KnightAndDay]

Absolutely agree. Can't think of a better example to illustrate your point than the last play in this clip.

 

[TDs3nOut]

LMAO @theforegu

LOL You are a good dude, but I absolutely fucking hate that game!

 

[outofyourmind]

Seems like a bad rule, but anytime the offense lets the ball cross the backline it becomes the defense's ball.
Kickoff, Extra Point, Field Goal, fumble.

 

[Duckfan22]

Why is it such a bad rule. Hold on to the Damn ball.

 

[4down20]

I go back and forth on this rule.

Here's the thing. When the ball goes out of bounds outside the endzone, then the ball keeps the possession of the current team and is marked at the spot. That is fine.

If the defense recovers the ball in the endzone after a fumble, it's ruled a touchback. That is fine.

But if the ball goes out of bounds in the endzone, then you can't mark the ball where it went out as you normally did. So you are either forced to treat it like a touchback similiar to kicking a ball out the back of it on a kickoff, or you have to move the ball back to the spot of the fumble. Which until recently wasn't really possible.

It just doesn't exactly fit into the normal rules of the game that make sense.

But I know it's one of the most frustrating things ever to watch and have happen because it just doesn't feel right. Yet, it's hard to make much of a logical argument against it.

 

[TDs3nOut]

Seems like a bad rule, but anytime the offense lets the ball cross the backline it becomes the defense's ball.
Kickoff, Extra Point, Field Goal, fumble.

It's not just the back line, though. Side of the end zone is also a TO.

 

[bamabear82]

Why is it such a bad rule. Hold on to the Damn ball.

Well shit, can't believe nobody's thought of that.

 

[outofyourmind]

It's just one of those rules that came out of football a hundred years ago or something, and has just been what it is.
I like it when it favors my team.

 

[TDs3nOut]

I go back and forth on this rule.

Here's the thing. When the ball goes out of bounds outside the endzone, then the ball keeps the possession of the current team and is marked at the spot. That is fine.

If the defense recovers the ball in the endzone after a fumble, it's ruled a touchback. That is fine.

But if the ball goes out of bounds in the endzone, then you can't mark the ball where it went out as you normally did. So you are either forced to treat it like a touchback similiar to kicking a ball out the back of it on a kickoff, or you have to move the ball back to the spot of the fumble. Which until recently wasn't really possible.

It just doesn't exactly fit into the normal rules of the game that make sense.

But I know it's one of the most frustrating things ever to watch and have happen because it just doesn't feel right. Yet, it's hard to make much of a logical argument against it.

You make some good points. Still makes me sick, however, to have lost to UCF last year when Greg Ward Jr. made the play that he made.

 

[haydav49]

Why is it such a bad rule. Hold on to the Damn ball.

I agree. There has to be a penalty for not holding on to the ball.

 

[4down20]

Well, they use bean bags to mark fumbles, so I guess it was possible in the past to move the ball back without the instant replay. Didn't think about that.

 

[4down20]

You make some good points. Still makes me sick, however, to have lost to UCF last year when Greg Ward Jr. made the play that he made.

It's the most frustrating thing ever. I'm fine with changing the rule back to the spot of the fumble and treating it the same was it going out of bounds otherwise.

 

[mutiger]

I agree. There has to be a penalty for not holding on to the ball.

Why, defense still has to recover it. They might have forced a fumble, but that its it. They didn't get the ball.

 

[Red_Alert]

I agree the rule is kind of fucked up. I guess it's punishment for not holding on to the ball and prevents someone from intentionally fumbling the ball into the end zone to a teammate.

I think it's a push call where everybody has either benefitted or been screwed by it at some point.

 

[ElTexan]

If the Defense doesn't positively take control, they shouldn't be gifted possession. Especially after letting the Offense drive literally ALL the way down the field

 

[Red_Alert]

Does anyone remember the history of this rule?

If I recall it was put in place when a Texas player tried to fake fumble the ball to a teammate in the endzone during a (0-7) loss to Rice in 1960.

The NCAA said... "That is typical underhanded Texas bullshit, and we'll punish any team doing it from here on out by giving the other team the ball at the 20".