How do the refs decide where the ball is placed?

[ElPatron1]

Bills game is a perfect example

They have 2 refs each 5 yards apart on where the ball should be on that 4th down lol

 

[Yankee Traveler]

I never understood this..They basically just decide where the ball should be, and it always looks like some made up bs. Why don't they use a computer to place the ball exactly where it lands. They can tell where the ball hits exactly in tennis, so they can do it in football as well.

They ask Reid where he wants it.

 

[PDay8810]

They ask Reid where he wants it ?

fixed

 

[Yankee Traveler]

fixed

More of a statement.

 

[redseat]

Spotting the ball isn't an issue imo with the NFL and Officiating. 99.99% they actually get it correct. I can't tell you how they can spot the ball either short or a TD when there are 22 players on the ground and you can't see where the actual ball is but other than that they've been pretty good.

What is or isn't a catch is what needs to be addressed.

 

[redseat]

I will never understand how a pass completion process can be completed AFTER the player touches out-of-bounds. If the process isn't completed before that happens then it's not complete.

Exactly. Isn't that the point of "out of bounds?"

 

[shopson67]

Exactly. Isn't that the point of "out of bounds?"

It's always a matter of surviving the ground. If you're going to the ground as you catch the ball, you have to control the ball throughout that process. It's not like this is anything new.

What constitutes a catch continues to change though. The idea that barely touching your toes before the sideline (or barely dragging foot across a few blades of grass/turf) demonstrates control inbounds is ludicrous, when a catch in the middle of the field isn't complete until 2 steps and a vague "football move" is made.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

Well apparently they can just place it in the endzone because someone is trying to stop Philly's stupid ass tush push bullshit.

 

[redseat]

It's always a matter of surviving the ground. If you're going to the ground as you catch the ball, you have to control the ball throughout that process. It's not like this is anything new.

What constitutes a catch continues to change though. The idea that barely touching your toes before the sideline (or barely dragging foot across a few blades of grass/turf) demonstrates control inbounds is ludicrous, when a catch in the middle of the field isn't complete until 2 steps and a vague "football move" is made.

If you don't have control and you are out of bounds, shouldn't matter if you survive the ground or not.. I get that's the rule though

Exactly this...

Or... Ball crosses goal line..... Only counts if your a runner... But you catch it you don't (or it seems like they are calling it like that)

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

It's always a matter of surviving the ground. If you're going to the ground as you catch the ball, you have to control the ball throughout that process. It's not like this is anything new.

What constitutes a catch continues to change though. The idea that barely touching your toes before the sideline (or barely dragging foot across a few blades of grass/turf) demonstrates control inbounds is ludicrous, when a catch in the middle of the field isn't complete until 2 steps and a vague "football move" is made.

 

[Wazmankg]

There may be some way to sync the technology in the ball with camera technology that can log the instant a body part hits the ground.

It has to be a body part other than a hand or foot, so it's probably beyond the scope of realistic technology to do it completely electronically.

 

[Caliskinsfan]

I think the chain gang is the dumbest holdover from the pre-modern era of football. And I don't think using updated tech would slow the game down at all.

Refs are going by eyesight all game long, and suddenly when it's close, they make a big show of dragging those markers and chains all the way over from the sidelines. Those guys are just shuffling out there with no precision at all, and then when they get there, they look back to the sidelines to see where they should set the marker.

It's all ridiculous.