Expert: Vic Winnek - 11/17/2009

Question
Mr. Winneck--In the game Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma State last Saturday, a receiver dropped a catchable pass and, in frustration, kicked the ball, which was lying on the turf. He mostly missed it and it went only a few yards, which I realize is beside the point. However, the official flagged the action and assessed a 15 yard Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty. I was surprized because for years, I've seen this penalized as a Delay of Game with an assessment of only 5 yards in both college and pro. What is your opinion on this call? What does the rule book say? Do officials have latitude on this? What's the story? Thanks--

Answer
Terry
Thank you for your question.  I did not see the game nor am I familiar with the play, but based on your description of the play {a player,"in frustration, kicked the ball, which was lying on the turf"} it is certainly Unsportsmanlike Conduct.  There is and has been for several year an emphasis on penalizing Unsportsmanlike Conduct.  This emphasis is by the NCAA.  The act you describe is specifically prohibited by rule 9-2-2-a %26 d.  There is not much latitude anymore for official.  Every play is reviewed following the game from at least 2 angles and each official is graded on what they called or did not call.  An unsportsmanlike act or a player safety foul must be called.  With games now being televised officials are under more scrutiny and thus have less latitude to not call certain things.  This was a correct call based on your description.  Below I have listed the Rule and Letter from the NCAA regarding Sportsmanship.  Also you should know the official of the Big 12 Conference and there supervisor of officals are some of the best in the business much like most all Div. 1 officials.


Thank you for your question,
Victor Winnek
NCAA Football Official



I)   NCAA's Statement on Sportsmanship
NCAA Football Rules Committee Adopted February 2009

• After reviewing a number of plays involving unsportsmanlike conduct, the committee is firm in its support of the unsportsmanlike conduct rules as they currently are written and officiated. Many of these fouls deal with players who inappropriately draw attention to themselves in a premeditated, excessive or prolonged manner. Players should be taught the discipline that reinforces footbal as a team game.
• The rules committee reminds head coaches of their responsibility for the behavior of their players before and after, as well as during, the game. Players must be cautioned against pre-game unsportsmanlike conduct on the field that can lead to confrontation between the teams.
Such action can lead to penalties enforced on the opening kickoff,possibly including disqualification of players. Repeated occurrence of such unsportsmanlike behavior by a team may result in punitive action by the conference against the head coach and his institution.
• Currently the penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct fouls are
administered by treating these as dead-ball fouls, even though the fouls often take place while the ball is in play. The committee is considering the possibility that if such a foul is committed while the ball is in play, the penalty would be enforced according to the rules
for other live-ball fouls. This would mean, for example, that if a ball carrier about to score a touchdown taunted his opponents while still in the field of play, the score would be voided and the penalty enforced from the spot of the foul. Although the committee has not taken any action in this regard, it is a viable option for possible rules changes in the future.  

II)    Rule 9 SECTION 2. Unsportsmanlike Conduct Fouls
Unsportsmanlike Acts
ARTICLE 1. There shall be no unsportsmanlike conduct or any act
that interferes with orderly game administration on the part of players,
substitutes, coaches, authorized attendants or any other persons subject to
the rules, before the game, during the game or between periods.
a. Specifically prohibited acts and conduct include:
1. No player, substitute, coach or other person subject to the rules shall
use abusive, threatening or obscene language or gestures, or engage
in such acts that provoke ill will or are demeaning to an opponent, to
game officials or to the image of the game, including but not limited
to:
(a) Pointing the finger(s), hand(s), arm(s) or ball at an opponent, or
imitating the slashing of the throat.
(b) Taunting, baiting or ridiculing an opponent verbally.
(c) Inciting an opponent or spectators in any other way, such as
simulating the firing of a weapon or placing a hand by the ear to
request recognition.
(d) Any delayed, excessive, prolonged or choreographed act by
which a player (or players) attempts to focus attention upon
himself (or themselves).
(e) An unopposed ball carrier obviously altering stride as he
approaches the opponent’s goal line or diving into the end zone.
(f) Removal of a player’s helmet before he is in the team area
(Exceptions: Team, media or injury timeouts; equipment
adjustment; through play; between periods; and during a
measurement for a first down).
(g) Punching one’s own chest or crossing one’s arms in front of the
chest while standing over a prone player.
(h) Going into the stands to interact with spectators, or bowing at the
waist after a good play.
If committed while the ball is alive, these fouls are treated as dead-ball
fouls.
2. After a score or any other play, the player in possession immediately
must return the ball to an official or leave it near the dead-ball spot.
This prohibits:
(a) Kicking, throwing, spinning or carrying (including off of the
field) the ball any distance that requires an official to retrieve it.
(b) Spiking the ball to the ground [Exception: A forward pass to
conserve time (Rule 7-3-2-d)].
(c) Throwing the ball high into the air.
(d) Any other unsportsmanlike act or actions that delay the game.

PENALTY—Dead-ball foul or live-ball foul treated as dead-ball foul.
15 yards [S7 and S27] from the succeeding spot. Flagrant
offenders, if players or substitutes, shall be disqualified
[S47]. If a player or an identified squad member in uniform
commits two unsportsmanlike fouls in the same game, he
shall be disqualified.