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Expert: - 12/5/2006


Question
Hi!  An Auburn fan and I (a Gator fan) are wondering about the official rule on incomplete pass vs fumble.  Specifically we are discussing whether Chris Leak fumbled the ball or had an incomplete pass in the Auburn/Florida game.  In the picture (http://www.sectalk.com/boards/showthread.php?t=12712) it appears that the ball came out of Leak's hand while his hand was going forward and then Auburn touched the ball.  Our question is:
1) because Leak's hand is moving forward and the ball is headed downward, it is an incomplete pass (the Gator position), or,
2) since Leak himself lost control of the ball, he fumbled, regardless of the direction of his hand (the Auburn position)

What are the official rules regarding incomplete vs fumble?

Thanks!  

Answer
Marcia,
The key element to understanding whether the pass was a "catch and fumble" or an incomplete pass is possession of the ball.  If the receiver possesses the ball [firmly grasping the ball and having control of the ball] it would be judged by the covering official as a catch.  If the ball is not firmly grasped and controlled and the ball comes loose it is not a catch - it is incomplete pass.

The second part of the official's judgement when called upon to determine if the ball was caught and fumbled is that once there is firm control of the ball,  what did the player do.

If the player did a "football act" in furtherance of the completion [this is a term of art] such as take several steps while controlling the ball it would be deemed a completion or if the ball comes loose before he could do such a football act then it would be deemed an incomplete pass.

I was not able to access the link you forwarded to me to render my opinion.  By the description in #1 above  it sounds like an incomplete pass and not a fumble as from your description I question whether their was control.

By rule, a fumble is a loose ball not in player possession that is not a forward pass or kick.  Again the key to the ruling a ball loose by means of a fumble is possession which requires firm control of the ball.

I hope this helps.

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