Expert: Thom Brooks - 11/19/2008

Question
Towards the end of the game, a Navy receiver caught a ball and was ruled out at the one yard line.  This catch has been a point of debate as the replay clearly shows that the one foot that lands after the receiver catches the ball in the air has the toes in and the heel out.

The point of contention has been that he comes down on his toes first, which are in, and then the rest of the foot comes down with the back half being out.  It looks like that foot was landing all in one motion, and that would make the catch incomplete.  Others are comparing it to a toe drag.

So is the catch complete or incomplete?

Thank you, and if you need more clarification, please let me know.

Answer
Daniel, hello!

I've gotten a number of inquiries on that game and wish I'd seen it.

The Back Judge and Linesman normally decide who will be looking at the receiver's feet and who will be watching the ball to see if it is bobbled and controlled.  It could have been a perfect call or a bad judgment decision.  Maybe the Navy man held the ball long enough before the heel landed or drug across.  

I would have ruled the catch complete if he controlled the ball when a toe touched in bounds.  If the replay shows that the back of his foot came down simulaneously with the front of his foot, then the catch should have been ruled incomplete.  

Sometimes the beauty of the game is because of its imperfections.  
I worked an Age 10 playoff game last night and shivered through the night.  A kickoff was run back when the player danced down the sideline to score.  His team was on the other side, so I was watching him run down the line.  He never touched out of bounds but the opposing team swore he was out about 15 different places.........It wasn't even close.  In their judgment, I should have blown the whisle.
I know I made the right call.  No question.....  So, maybe the officials missed the Navy catch, or maybe they made the perfect call.

Take care,

Thom Brooks