FORWARD PROGRESS

1. FORWARD PROGRESS George Demetriou Colorado Football Officials Association NFHS Football Rules Interpreters Meeting July 15, 2008 – Indianapolis Indiana

2. Colorado Football Officials Association Forward Progress

3. Philosophy FORWARD PROGRESS and TIME ….… are the two most critical elements of the game.

4. End of Advancement • Down by rule • Forward movement stopped • Steps OOB • Loses possession • Inadvertent whistle • Helmet comes off

5. Forward Progress(2-15-1) Forward progress is the end of advancement of the ball in a runner’s possession...

6. Rule 2-15-1 … or the forward-most point of the ball when it is fumbled out of bounds toward the opponent’s goal...

7. Rule 2-15-1 … and it determines the dead-ball spot.

8. Exception • When part of the ball becomes dead in a team’s EZ, it is a safety. • Forward progress is not at the foremost point of the ball (5-3-4).

9. Play 1

10. Play 2

11. Play 3

12. Play 4

13. Play 5

14. Rule 2-15-2 When an airborne player makes a catch, forward progress is the furthest point of advancement after he possesses the ball if contacted by a defender.

15. Inbounds Plays • Dives – Must note location of both knee and ball • Clusters – Judgment call • QB sacks

16. Dives • Focus on ball while runner is on his feet. • Focus on knees when runner loses his balance. • Be cognizant of GL and LTG.

17. Play 6

18. Clusters • Judgment call as to when forward movement is stopped. • Delicate balance between quick and late whistles. • Allow runner deserved opportunity • Avoid cheap turnover • Two second rule

19. Clusters • Fumble or strip must occur: • On contact. • While runner is moving forward

20. Clusters • When pushed back runner breaks free: • Wait • If he does not advance and is downed, progress is at point of initial contact • If he does advance voluntarily, allow play to continue

21. Clusters • Delayed ruling may be necessary to GET IT RIGHT

22. Goal Line Plays • It’s not any different than in the middle of the field. • If you think of forward progress as a plane, then the GL is just another plane.

23. Play 7

24. Play 8

25. Play 9

26. Play 10

27. Play 11

28. Play 12

29. Play 13

30. Play 14

31. QB Sacks • R is on his own most of the time. • Tolerance is one yard. • Contact spot to hitting ground is typically: • 3 yds (no resistance). • 5 yds (with hopping around).

32. Play 15

33. Play 16

34. Play 17

35. Play 18

36. Play 19

37. Play 20

38. Overall Philosophy • When runner is knocked backward, give furthest point achieved. • Do not allow cheap turnovers. • When in doubt, keep the clock running.

39. Standards • Loss: +1

40. Standards • Loss: +1 • Long Gains: +/- 1

41. Standards • Loss: +1 • Long Gains: +/- 1 • Small Gains: Get it Right

42. Standards • Loss: +1 • Long Gains: +/- 1 • Small Gains: Get it Right • Near the Stake: Be Perfect

43. Standards • Loss: +1 • Long Gains: +/- 1 • Small Gains: Get it Right • Near the Stake: Be Perfect • Near the GL: Be Better Than Perfect

44. Thanks for your attention.

45. Play Index • Play 1: FP-Intro Easy call • Play 2: FP-6 Hard call, flip over • Play 3: FP-Intro-2 Spt missed 1 yd • Play 4: FP-Missed-Punt Return-1 Also easy, but missed • Play 5: FP-Punt Return – Brighton/Wasson – long discussion • Play 6: FP-5A Knee Down • Play 7: FP-Cluster-1 – Hink/Doh add Fum-1 • Play 8: FP-2 FP spot (8) or OOB spot (6) • Play 9: FP-1 Strip after 5 yd pushback • Play 10: FP-7 Was this play over?

46. Play Index • Play 11: FP- 8 IAW, runner was moving fwd when stripped • Play 12: FP- 4A Delayed ruling • Play 13: FP-Missed QB Sack-9 Breaks free, no advance • Play 14: FP-Missed QB Sack-7 Breaks free, no advance • Play 15: FP-Good QB Sack-1 East/Glenwood – indiscriminate beanbag • Play 16: FP-Good QB Sack-2 AW/Doh • Play 17: FP-Missed QB Sack-1 Boulder/Fairview 5 yd miss • Play 18: FP-Missed QB Sack-2 Pagosa/Bayfield 2 yd miss • Play 19: FP-Missed QB Sack-3 02 Palmer/Doh • Play 20: FP-Missed QB Sack-4 Alamosa 5 yd miss