Protection of Passer
1. By interpretation, a pass begins when the passer -- with possession
of ball -- starts to bring his hand forward. If ball strikes ground
after this action has begun, play is ruled an incomplete pass. If
passer loses control of ball prior to his bringing his hand forward,
play is ruled a fumble.
2. When a passer is holding the ball to pass it forward, any intentional
movement forward of his arm starts a forward pass. If a defensive
player contacts the passer or the ball after forward movement begins,
and the ball leaves the passer’s hand, a forward pass is ruled,
regardless of where the ball strikes the ground or a player.
3. No defensive player may run into a passer of a legal forward
pass after the ball has left his hand (15 yards). The Referee must
determine whether opponent had a reasonable chance to stop his momentum
during an attempt to block the pass or tackle the passer while he
still had the ball.
4. No defensive player who has an unrestricted path to the quarterback
may hit him flagrantly in the area of the knee(s) or below when
approaching in any direction.
5. Officials are to blow the play dead as soon as the quarterback
is clearly in the grasp and control of any tackler, and his safety
is in jeopardy.
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