Bush League Bielema

[BGIF]

... Spiking the ball is legal? But intentional grounding is not? Tell me...what's REALLY the difference???

There's a significant difference. The intent of one is to conserve time, to stop the clock immediately without calling a timeout; the other to save loss of yardage.

You might have had a point if the passer was allowed to spike the ball after a dropback but he's not, that would be intentional grounding. A spike must be executed immediately after taking control of the snap.

 

[Vince Young]

There's a significant difference. The intent of one is to conserve time, to stop the clock immediately without calling a timeout; the other to save loss of yardage.

You might have had a point if the passer was allowed to spike the ball after a dropback but he's not, that would be intentional grounding. A spike must be executed immediately after taking control of the snap.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't there a rule that says if a pass comes within so many yards of an eligible receiver, it's not considered "intentional grounding"? If so, one could probably make the argument that when a QB spikes the ball, it usually comes down within the range of several eligible receivers, including one or both tight ends and probably a running back also, therefore making it a legal pass and not "intentional grounding." I'd always just kinda assumed that was the case, but I've never looked into it to find out.

It could also be one of those weird exception rules like they have for FG-holders... if the ball carrier's knee is on the ground, he's down UNLESS he's the holder on a field-goal play, in which case it's all cool, man. I seem to recall a thread question on that a few weeks ago when Shark ran in the fake field goal, and somebody on here found the actual rule covering that.

Is there another such rule that covers spiking the ball?

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

There's a significant difference. The intent of one is to conserve time, to stop the clock immediately without calling a timeout; the other to save loss of yardage.

You might have had a point if the passer was allowed to spike the ball after a dropback but he's not, that would be intentional grounding. A spike must be executed immediately after taking control of the snap.

Still basically the same thing...intentional NON-pass.

The point in the end though is this: Bielema took a rule and used it as designed.

If the NCAA does not like it, they are going to need to change it. They change all kinds of rules...and this was a dumb change. They simply did not think it through.

I honestly hope many more coaches use this rule.

 

[BGIF]

... Is there another such rule that covers spiking the ball?

Yes. It's in the same section with Intentional Grounding.

 

[BGIF]

Still basically the same thing...intentional NON-pass.

...

No, it's not the same thing. The rules clearly address one as a legal pass and the other as an illegal pass.

You can quibble all you want but the rules for a spike and intentional grounding are clearly defined and your example does not fit the situation.

 

[Vince Young]

...the rules for a spike and intentional grounding are clearly defined...

Good to know. I'd always wondered about that.

 

[BGIF]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't there a rule that says if a pass comes within so many yards of an eligible receiver, it's not considered "intentional grounding"? If so, one could probably make the argument that when a QB spikes the ball, it usually comes down within the range of several eligible receivers, including one or both tight ends and probably a running back also, therefore making it a legal pass and not "intentional grounding." I'd always just kinda assumed that was the case, but I've never looked into it to find out.

It could also be one of those weird exception rules like they have for FG-holders... if the ball carrier's knee is on the ground, he's down UNLESS he's the holder on a field-goal play, in which case it's all cool, man. I seem to recall a thread question on that a few weeks ago when Shark ran in the fake field goal, and somebody on here found the actual rule covering that.

Is there another such rule that covers spiking the ball?

Vince,

Those are common misconceptions. Spiking must be an immediate act and it must be thrown where no eligible receiver has an opportunity to catch it

See Rule 7.3.2 d of the 2006 NCAA Football Rules

http://www.ncaa.org/library/rules/2006/2006_football_rules.pdf#search='2006 ncaa football rules'

The QB takes the ball from center and spikes it at his feet. Immediate and without an opportunity for an eligible receiver to catch it. The action is clear - to conserve time. There is never a movement that constitutes an attempt at a legal pass (see Rule 7).

Intentional Grounding is discussed on the following page note the limitation about being outside the frame of the tackle.

See also Interpetations:

http://www.ncaa.org/library/rules/2006/2006_football_rules.pdf#search='2006 ncaa football rules'

Note that a FG holder receiving a muffed snap can not throw the ball down (spiking). That would be an illegal pass.

Note that a QB in the shotgun that has a snap go over his head can not throw the ball to the ground (spiking) when he retrieves it. That would be an illegal pass.

In both cases the intent is to save loss on yardage NOT to conserve time.