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Question
UT/UK game today (11/25/06) had a play where the TN defender played the ball all the way through the receiver and intercepted the ball. The call was DPI, but I thought both offensive and defensive players had the same access to a thrown ball? The defender did knock the receiver silly, but both were playing the ball. What is the correct call? Thanks,
Terry,
Thank you for your question. I hope you had a good Thanksgiving and enjoyed so good football games this past weekend. To answer your question it sounds very much like DPI to me.
I did not see the play. The fact that the defensive player contact the receiver prior to the receiver touching the ball is enough to cause the foul of DPI. You are correct the players (both offensive receiver and defensive) have an equal right to the ball. However there can be no contact prior to the ball being touched. If the defensive player was not playing the ball that is a clear DPI. In this case, the players are both playing the ball which is what they are supposed to do. The "defender played ... through the receiver". This is a foul regardless of the fact he was playing the ball.
"Philosophically", Keep this in mind: receivers (kick and pass) must have unmolested opportunities to to catch the ball free of contact. Use that as a base "premiss" . Then understand a pass receiver's "unmolested opportunity" to catch the ball is less than that of a kick returner, but must be contact free. That is not the exact rule, but it a philosophic premiss to help you understand the application of the rule.
I hope this helps. I believe it is sometimes better to teach lay people and new officials the evolution of the rule and philosophy behind the rules so as to have a better understanding.
If this doesn't help please contact me again and I will give you a verbatim connotation of the rule. Bottom line is if the defender did not contact the receiver before the ball got there it would not have been DPI.
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| Comment | You da man! Thank you so much for clarifying that. Now that I understand the correct ruling, I believe LSU committed DPI against TN 2 wks earlier on a key drive in LSU teritory. I guess where this one gets difficult to call is when it is not clear who was in position to catch the ball, and therefore, it becomes a question of who hit who. We had a great thanksgiving. I hope you did as well. Thanks agian, | ||
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Vic Winnek
Expertise
Will Answer all queries RE: Rules of Football - NCAA & Federation; Officiating; Instruction on Football; Mechanics & application of rules; Setting up Instructional programs and clinics for: Officials, coaches and media; Liability Issues (Legal & Insurance questions)arising from coaching, playing, refereeing, product liability. Serve as an Consultant and Expert Witness in Football Related Matters in Tort and Contract (Standard of Care for: officials, coaches, players, assignors, BOD; Player, equipment, field & stadium Safety; Fee issues, independant contractor workers compensation. History of the College football game -its evolution. MY PURPOSE IS TO INFORM & EDUCATE FANS, MEDIA, THOSE INTERESTED IN FOOTBALL ABOUT: THE RULES, THEIR APPLICATION, PHILOSOPHIES; OFFICIATING; LEGAL ISSUES INVOLVING FOOTBALL. I WILL NOT RESPOND TO BASHING OF TEAMS, COACHES OR OFFICIALS. I will not dignify rude or disparaging comments with a response, nor entertain questions that use profanity or questions that suggest Football officials are corupt, such an insinuation is ridiculous and ludicrous.
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24 years officiating High School & College football, NCAA Referee, Umpire, Back Judge & Line Judge 2 years Arena Football-substitution official Instructor of NCAA & Federation Officials, Played prep and college football; coached High School football; Athletic trainer; 23 years of instruction in Officiating Football
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