Question for officials?

[ddavis]

We had a junior high game tonight and there was a call that I thought was incorrect and just wanted to make sure to satisfy my own curiousity. Our team was attempting a pass, the pass rush forced the quarterback to scramble. The quarterback retreated deeper and deeper behind the line of scrimmage and finally saw a back open and passed him the ball. The back caught the ball and eventually was tackled for a one yard loss from the original line of scrimmage. The official called an ineligible receiver down field. I pointed out that the ball never made it back to the original line of scrimmage but the referee said it was still a forward pass. I checked the rule book and I think since the ball did not pass the neutral zone there should have been no ineligble reciever call. Who's right?

[Boo-Duh]

We had a junior high game tonight and there was a call that I thought was incorrect and just wanted to make sure to satisfy my own curiousity. Our team was attempting a pass, the pass rush forced the quarterback to scramble. The quarterback retreated deeper and deeper behind the line of scrimmage and finally saw a back open and passed him the ball. The back caught the ball and eventually was tackled for a one yard loss from the original line of scrimmage. The official called an ineligible receiver down field. I pointed out that the ball never made it back to the original line of scrimmage but the referee said it was still a forward pass. I checked the rule book and I think since the ball did not pass the neutral zone there should have been no ineligible receiver call. Who's right?

Coachd,

From what you described above you are correct. If the pass does not cross the LOS there is no penalty for Ineligible down field...

[biggdowgg]

I knew boo duh would have the answer

[ddavis]

Thanks. I was 90 percent sure when the call was made and 95 percent sure after looking it up in the rule book. I hope the guys reffing the game took the time to look it up too. I exaggerated nothing. I was careful to described the play as accurately as possible. Thanks again for the reponse.