"Half the distance..." Penalties

[Broncosr0k]

This is a slow week for the broncos and their fans so I thought I would throw a question out there.

Why does the NFL make penalties half the distance to the goal instead of putting the ball at the 1 yard line? To me, the lessens the penalty for a foul simply because of location.


If I hold a pass-rusher at the 8 yard line (offense at own 8) because he was going to sack my QB and potentially get a safety, I only cost the team 4 yards. If I hold at the 12 yard line The LOS moves to the 2 setting the team back at the full 10. It seems like I have way more incentive to commit a penalty when it is half the distance to the goal.

Does anyone else find the current system a little off?

(There may be good reasoning, this just a thought that bugs me from time to time.)

 

[cdumler7]

Hmmm never really thought of it. I guess it would finally be one of the first penalties to actually help the defensive side of the ball and could lead to a few more safeties throughout the NFL season which to me are one of the coolest things a defense can do.


I wouldn't mind the rule change one bit.

 

[Cyder]

This is a slow week for the broncos and their fans so I thought I would throw a question out there.

Why does the NFL make penalties half the distance to the goal instead of putting the ball at the 1 yard line? To me, the lessens the penalty for a foul simply because of location.


If I hold a pass-rusher at the 8 yard line (offense at own 8) because he was going to sack my QB and potentially get a safety, I only cost the team 4 yards. If I hold at the 12 yard line The LOS moves to the 2 setting the team back at the full 10. It seems like I have way more incentive to commit a penalty when it is half the distance to the goal.

Does anyone else find the current system a little off?

(There may be good reasoning, this just a thought that bugs me from time to time.)

I've been saying this for years and I don't think they have a valid reason. And if you are at the one and it's first and 10 and you commit the penalty the yardage should be added and you should have a first and 20 (It it's a 10 yards penalty)

 

[randymon]

I think " loss of down " might work in those type penalties. Give em half the distance and loss of down and it only applies inside the 10

 

[Broncos6482]

This is a slow week for the broncos and their fans so I thought I would throw a question out there.

Why does the NFL make penalties half the distance to the goal instead of putting the ball at the 1 yard line? To me, the lessens the penalty for a foul simply because of location.


If I hold a pass-rusher at the 8 yard line (offense at own 8) because he was going to sack my QB and potentially get a safety, I only cost the team 4 yards. If I hold at the 12 yard line The LOS moves to the 2 setting the team back at the full 10. It seems like I have way more incentive to commit a penalty when it is half the distance to the goal.

Does anyone else find the current system a little off?

(There may be good reasoning, this just a thought that bugs me from time to time.)

This isn't exactly accurate. If you hold at the 12, it's still a half the distance to the goal penalty, so the line of scrimmage would actually go back to the 6.

Basically if the penalized amount is more than half of the distance, they just take half the distance. Someone brought up to Peter King that rather than doing half the distance, extend the line to gain by the amount proper penalty amount. So let's say you're back up to your 2 yard line and one of the offensive lineman moves early. Rather than back them up a yard and have first and 11, you keep the line of scrimmage at the 2 but move the line to gain to the 17, so it's first and 15. Personally I think this is a really good idea and the NFL should seriously consider this change.

 

[Broncosr0k]

Hmmm never really thought of it. I guess it would finally be one of the first penalties to actually help the defensive side of the ball and could lead to a few more safeties throughout the NFL season which to me are one of the coolest things a defense can do.


I wouldn't mind the rule change one bit.

The defense would be under the same requirements at the other end. Lining up in the neutral zone at the 5 yard line would make is 1 yard to go for the offense.

This isn't exactly accurate. If you hold at the 12, it's still a half the distance to the goal penalty, so the line of scrimmage would actually go back to the 6.

That makes a little more sense.

Basically if the penalized amount is more than half of the distance, they just take half the distance. Someone brought up to Peter King that rather than doing half the distance, extend the line to gain by the amount proper penalty amount. So let's say you're back up to your 2 yard line and one of the offensive lineman moves early. Rather than back them up a yard and have first and 11, you keep the line of scrimmage at the 2 but move the line to gain to the 17, so it's first and 15. Personally I think this is a really good idea and the NFL should seriously consider this change.

That seems like a reasonable solution.

 

[WalkerBoh]

This isn't exactly accurate. If you hold at the 12, it's still a half the distance to the goal penalty, so the line of scrimmage would actually go back to the 6.

Basically if the penalized amount is more than half of the distance, they just take half the distance. Someone brought up to Peter King that rather than doing half the distance, extend the line to gain by the amount proper penalty amount. So let's say you're back up to your 2 yard line and one of the offensive lineman moves early. Rather than back them up a yard and have first and 11, you keep the line of scrimmage at the 2 but move the line to gain to the 17, so it's first and 15. Personally I think this is a really good idea and the NFL should seriously consider this change.

This would only work for offensive penalties. Wouldn't work if say it's first and goal at the 6, and the defense is flagged for offsides.....