Is this a touchdown

Question
Let say the right pylon in the end zone, and the ball is carried with either hand and crosses on the right side of the pylon on the out of bounds side BUT player is in bounds. Wouldn't the ball automaticly be out of bounds considering the ball can't get to the imaginary goal line without being out first. No touchdown right?  

Answer
SCOTT

I NOTICED THIS QUESTION IN THE QUESTION POOL SO THE EXPERT YOU ORIGINALLY ASK PLACED IT THERE.  I CHECK THE QUESTION POOL ABOUT ONCE A MONTH TO SEE IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS WITHIN MY EXPERTISE I CAN ASSIST WITH AND SO I RESPONDED TO YOURS.  I NOTICED YOU HAD NOT READ THE ANSWER, IF YOU HAVE ANY FOLLOW UP QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ASK.  YOUR QUESTION IS A RULES QUESTION AND I THINK WHAT HAPPENS IS IT IS SOMETIMES IT IS DIRECTED TO A COACHING EXPERT AS OPPOSED TO A RULES EXPERT.  BELOW IN MY REPLY, IT CONTAINS EXAMPLES TO BETTER ILLUSTRATE WHAT IS AND WHAT IS NOT A TOUCHDOWN IN YOUR PLAY SITUATION.

Scott



Hope to make this clear.  

Generally, If a ball touches the pylon when held by a player that is touching inbounds, it is a TD. The ball has crossed the goal line extended while in possession of a player in bounds - Touchdown.

A non-airborne runner crossing the goal inside the pylon with the ball crossing the goal line extended is a touchdown. When an airborne runner leaves the ground due to contact by an opponent and crosses over the pylon, it is a Touchdown.  But if the airborne runner voluntarily goes airborne {i.e. he jumps or leaps] and crosses the pylon, it is not a touchdown and there is no goalline extended and the ball is dead at the inbound spot where the ball intersected the sideline.  Below are some examples we use in officiating to illustrate what is and is not a TD.


Under National Federation rules which is essencially the same as the college rules: The goal line pylon (1-2-4) by definition is out of bounds. If the RUNNER is touching the ground in bounds, then he possesses a live ball in his opponent's endzone which by rule is a touchdown (8-2-1 & 1a). The player must be considered inbounds at the time the ball breaks the plane of the goalline or goalline extended. If the player is in bounds, then it is a TD with scenarios of the ball touching the pylon.

OTHERWISE, if the runner is airborne, (i.e." leaps or dives")he must hit the inside of the pylon. That implies that the ball crossed the goal line in bounds before it went out of bounds in possession of a RUNNER. If the runner is airborne, then hitting the pylon is out of bounds and the ball is placed according to (2-40-4c) the inbounds spot. Which is probably a few inches before the pylon. The forward point of the ball striking the pylon means that the ball had to be OB to hit the pylon. Where the ball went out is up to the covering official. It is where it crosses/intersects the sideline. From the 2003 National Federation Case Book (Situation 1.2.4 pp. 5-6)
PLAY: Ball carrier A10 dives into the pylon at the intersection of the goal line and sideline. RULING: Touchdown. Assuming the pylon was placed properly, the ball broke the plane of the goal line prior to touching the pylon.

Under NCAA rule officials used these examples:

1)  Fourth-and-goal at the five-yard line. Runner A22 runs toward the sideline and becomes airborne as he crosses the goal line pylon. Ruling: The position of the ball in the runner's possession as it crosses the sideline determines forward progress. It is a touchdown if the ball crosses over or beyond the pylon. (4-2-4-e#.

2#  Ball carrier A22 strikes the pylon at the right intersection of the sideline and Team B抯 goalline. He carries the ball in his right arm so that the ball is extended over the sideline. #a# The ball
penetrates the plane of the goal extended #i.e., outside the pylon# before A22 touches the pylon.  #b# A22 touches the pylon before the ball breaks the plane of the goal line extended.
RULING:#a# Touchdown. The ball is still alive when it breaks the goal-line plane which is extended for a ball carrier. #b# Not a touchdown. The ball becomes dead when A22 touches the pylon and
belongs to Team A at the forward-progress point. #2-11-2, 4-2-1-b, 8-2-1-a, AR 8-2-1-II#

3)  Runner A39 dives toward Team B's goal line. He extends the ball, which touches the pylon, as his foot touches the sideline.
RULING: Touchdown #Rule 5-1-3-a).

4) Ball carrier A22 is running near the sideline in an attempt to score. At the B-1 he goes airborne by leaping such that the ball passes across the goal line extended outside the pylon. A22 lands out of bounds beyond the goal line extended.
RULING: Not a touchdown. The goal line is not extended for an airborne player, i.e., one who leaves the ground voluntarily. The ball is out of bounds at the point where it crossed the sideline. #2-11-2, 4-2-4-e, AR 8-2-1-IV)

Vitor Winnek
NCAA Football Official