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College Football/Toe Drag Rule

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Expert: - 11/12/2007


Question
This question arises out of the Shipley catch in the Tech/UT game this weekend. My understanding is that when the WR's foot is pointing heel to toe towards the end line and he drags his toe while having possession this is a touchdown. However, when his foot is pointing toe to heel (i.e. this case) his entire foot must land in bounds.  Correct?

Answer
John
Thanks for the question.  I am not sure where you get your information on this  so called  "Toe Drag Rule".

First, there is no such rule or philosophy employed by officials calling collegiate games.  

Second, when we as officials rule on a catch / no catch in a situation similar to your question, we are only concerned with whether the receiver's foot was inbounds while he possessed the ball.  We do not specifically concern ourselves with how this foot was pointing, we are only concerned with the position of the foot (toe, heel or any part of the foot) in relation to the sideline or endline.

I suspect the "toe drag rule" you refer to is a made up rule by TV announcers or uninformed coaches.  I am sorry to inform you there is no such rule or officiating principle or philosophy (and there are many officiating philosophies and axioms) that deal with how a receiver's foot points.

Victor C. Winnek
NCAA Football Official

College Football

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