Illegal Batting NFHS Rule 9.7

1
Illegal BattingNFHS Rule 9.7

• John Hoffmann
• July 30th, 2001

2
Illegal BattingNFHS Rule 9.7

• John Hoffmann
• July 30th, 2001

3
Presentation Overview

• 1) Illegal Batting Overview
• 2) Batting in the NFHS Rules Book
• 3) Batting in the NFHS Case Book
• 4) Batting in the NFHS Simplified and
  Illustrated
• 5) Discussion Scenarios
• 6) Illegal Batting in NFHS and FHSAA
  Examinations

4
Illegal Batting Overview

• Batting is an intentional act that involves
  slapping or striking the ball with the arm or
  hand.
• Any forward pass in flight may be batted in any
  direction by an eligible receiver.
• Eligible offensive players may not bat a backward
  pass in flight forward.
• A ball in player possession shall not be batted
  forward by a teammate.
• All defensive players (always eligible) can bat
  any pass in flight in any direction.
• Illegal batting carries a fifteen (15) yard
  penalty.

5
Illegal Batting Overview

• Batting does not add a new force to a pass, kick
  or fumble in flight.
• Batting may add a new force to a backward pass,
  fumble or kick after it has been grounded.
• Generally, no player shall bat a grounded loose
  ball. (See scrimmage kick exception)
• K may bat a grounded scrimmage kick, which is
  beyond the neutral zone, toward his own goal
  line.
• K may bat a scrimmage kick in flight beyond the
  neutral zone if no player of R is in position to
  catch the ball.
• Be extra aware for illegal batting during an
  on-sides kick situation.

6
Illegal Batting Overview

• Since batting is an intentional act, it should be
  considered when determining illegal touching or
  pass interference by ineligibles.
• For determining pass interference on eligible
  receivers, treat batting like you would an
  attempt to catch a pass.

7
Illegal Batting in the NFHS Rules Book

• Rule 2-2 Batting is intentionally slapping or
  striking the ball with the arm or hand.
• Rule 2-13-1 Force is the result of energy
  exerted by a player which provides movement of
  the ball. The term force is used only in
  connection with the goal line and in only one
  direction, i.e., from the field of play into the
  end zone. Initial force results from a carry,
  fumble, kick, pass or snap. After a backward
  pass, fumble or kick has been grounded, a new
  force may result from a bat, an illegal kick or a
  muff.
• Rule 2-13-3 The muffing or batting of a pass,
  kick or fumble in flight is not considered a new
  force.

8
Illegal Batting in the NFHS Rules Book

• Rule 9-7-2 No player shall bat a loose ball
  other than a pass or a fumble in flight, or a low
  scrimmage kick in flight which he is attempting
  to block in or behind the expanded neutral zone.
• Exception A K player may bat toward his own
  goal line a grounded scrimmage kick which is
  beyond the neutral zone and may also bat a
  scrimmage kick in flight beyond the neutral zone,
  if no R player is in position to catch the ball.
• Rule 9-7-3 Any pass in flight may be batted in
  any direction, by an eligible receiver unless it
  is a backward pass batted forward by the passing
  team.
• Rule 9-7-4 A ball in player possession shall not
  be batted forward by a player of the team in
  possession.
• PENALTY Illegal kicking or batting (Rule 9-7
  Arts. 1, 2, 3, 4) (S31) 15 yards.

9
Illegal Batting in the NFHS Rules Book

• Rule 6-5-6 While any free kick is in flight in
  or beyond the neutral zone to the receiver's goal
  line or any scrimmage kick is in flight beyond
  the neutral zone to the receiver's goal line, K
  shall not touch the ball or R, unless blocked
  into the ball or R or to ward off a blocker, nor
  obstruct R's path to the ball. This prohibition
  applies even when no fair-catch signal is given,
  but it does not apply after a free kick has been
  touched by a receiver, or after a scrimmage kick
  has been touched by a receiver who was clearly
  beyond the neutral zone at the time of touching.
• Exception K may catch, touch, muff or bat a
  scrimmage kick in flight beyond the neutral zone
  if no player of R is in position to catch the
  ball.

10
Illegal Batting in the NFHS Rules Book

• Table 7-5 Foul 4 Illegal Touching By Ineligible
  A forward pass caught, batted or muffed by an
  ineligible A player who is in or behind the
  neutral zone. Penalty Loss of 5 yards and loss
  of down Enforcement Spot SPOT OF TOUCHING.
• Rule 7-5-10a It is forward-pass interference if
  Any player of A or B who is beyond the neutral
  zone interferes with an eligible opponent's
  opportunity to move toward, catch or bat the
  pass.
• Rule 7-5-11a It is not forward-pass interference
  if Unavoidable contact occurs when two or more
  eligibles are making a simultaneous, bona fide
  attempt to move toward, catch or bat the pass.
• Rule 7-5-13 An ineligible A player has illegally
  touched a forward pass if he bats, muffs or
  catches a forward pass while he is in or behind
  the neutral zone, unless the pass has been
  touched by B.

11
Illegal Batting in the NFHS Rules Book

• Rule 8-5-1 Responsibility for forcing the ball
  from the field of play across a goal line is
  attributed to the player who carries, snaps,
  passes, fumbles or kicks the ball, unless a new
  force is applied to a grounded backward pass,
  kick or fumble. The muffing or batting of a pass,
  kick or fumble in flight is not considered a new
  force.
• Rule 8-5-2 It is a safety when A player, who is
  either in the field of play or in his end zone,
  forces a loose ball from the field of play to or
  across his goal line by his kick, pass, fumble,
  snap or by a new force with his muff or bat or
  illegal kick, provided the ball becomes dead
  there in his team's possession (including when
  the ball is declared dead with no player in
  possession), or the ball is out of bounds when it
  becomes dead on or behind their goal line. This
  does not apply to a legal forward pass which
  becomes incomplete.

12
Illegal Batting in the NFHS Rules Book

• Rule 8-5-3b It is a touchback when Any
  scrimmage kick or free kick becomes dead on or
  behind K's goal line with the ball in possession
  of Team K (including when the ball is declared
  dead with no player in possession) and the new
  force is R's muff or bat of the kick after it has
  touched the ground.
• Rule 8-5-3c It is a touchback when A fumble is
  the force, or a muff or bat of a backward pass or
  a fumble after either has touched the ground is
  the new force, which sends the ball to or across
  the opponent's goal line and provided such
  opponent is in team possession or the ball is out
  of bounds when it becomes dead on or behind its
  goal line.

13
Illegal Batting in the NFHS Case Book

• 9.7.2A - Play With fourth and 4 from R's 40-yard
  line, K1 punts. The kick is bounding near R's
  goal line and K2, in an attempt to keep it from
  penetrating the plane of the goal line, bats the
  ball at the 2-yard line back toward his own goal
  line. In (a) it is recovered by R1 who advances
  to his 30 or (b) it is recovered by R2 who
  attempts to advance, but retreats and is downed
  in his own end zone.
• Ruling a The bat by K2 is legal because it
  occurred beyond the neutral zone. R would
  obviously take the results of the play and put
  the ball in play first and 10 from its 30.
• Ruling b Since the result of the play is a
  safety, R would take the ball at the 2, which is
  the spot of first touching where K2 legally
  batted the kick. (6-2-5 8-5-2a 9-7-2 Exp.)

14
Illegal Batting in the NFHS Case Book

• 9.7.2B - Play K1's punt is coming down over R's
  10-yard line and (a) R3 is in position to catch
  the ball or (b) no R player is in position to
  catch the ball, when K2 attempts to bat the ball
  toward his own goal line while it is in flight,
  but the batted ball goes into R's end zone.
• Ruling a It is a foul for kick-catching
  interference by K2 as well as first touching, and
  R may chose to take the result of the play, which
  is a touchback, or take an awarded fair catch or
  the ball at the spot of first touching at the
  10-yard line, or penalize K 15 yards from the
  previous spot and replay the down.
• Ruling b There is no foul and the result of the
  play is a touchback. R will put the ball in play
  first and 10 from its own 20-yard line. (6-5-6
  Exp. 8-5-3 9-2-7 Exp.)

15
Illegal Batting in the NFHS Case Book

• 9.7.3 - Play Team A is in punt formation and the
  ball is snapped to A1, who turns his back to the
  line of scrimmage and throws a backward pass into
  the air. A2 comes forward and bats the ball 20
  yards downfield where (a) A3 recovers it 5 yards
  beyond the line to gain or (b) it is caught by
  A4 who advances for an additional 5 yards or (c)
  it goes out of bounds in advance of the line to
  gain or (d) B1 intercepts and returns it for an
  apparent touchdown.
• Ruling a, b and c The batting by A2 is illegal.
  It will be to B's advantage to accept the penalty
  of 15 yards which will be administered from the
  spot of the foul because the batting occurred
  during the loose-ball play and behind the basic
  spot. (10-6)
• Ruling d Modified due to 2001 rule change. The
  batting by A2 is illegal. In most cases,
  declining the penalty by B will be the obvious
  choice.

16
Illegal Batting in the NFHS Case Book

• 9.7.4 - Play On fourth and 6 from B's 10-yard
  line, A1 is about to be hit short of the line to
  gain. While the ball is in A1's possession,
  either (a) A1 or (b) A2 or (c) B1, bats the
  ball forward into B's end zone where A3 recovers.
• Ruling a and b It is an illegal bat in both. The
  enforcement spot is the end of A1's run, which is
  where the bat occurred.
• Ruling c The bat is legal and results in a
  touchdown for A. (8-2-2)

17
Illegal Batting in the NFHS Case Book

• Other scenarios that involve batting in a more
  indirect manner
• 2.13.2 - Force Definition
• 6.3.1 C - Blocking Kick from Crossbar
• 7.5.10 C - Pass Interference
• 8.3.2 A - Scoring Play - Try
• 9.6.1 D - Illegal Participation
• 10.4.2 D - Basic Enforcement Spots

18
Illegal Batting in the NFHS Simplified and
Illustrated

• 6-5-6 Exp. This is a legal play. The kickers may
  touch, bat, muff or catch a scrimmage kick in
  flight beyond the neutral zone when no receiver
  is in position to make a catch. The receivers may
  take the results of the play or the ball at the
  spot of first touching by K.

19
Illegal Batting in the NFHS Simplified and
Illustrated

• 9-7-2 Exp. K may bat a grounded scrimmage kick
  which is beyond the neutral zone toward his own
  goal line. This is legal action. If the bat
  occurred beyond the plane of the goal line, the
  ball was already dead causing it to be a
  touchback. K may also bat a scrimmage kick in
  flight beyond the neutral zone if no R player is
  in position to catch the ball.

20
Illegal Batting Discussion Scenarios

• Scenario 1 B1 intercepts a forward pass in his
  end zone and then passes backward to B2 who,
  scared to death, bats the ball over the end line.
• Ruling 1 The force which put the ball into the
  end zone was the pass by A1. When B2 batted the
  backward pass in flight so that it went over the
  end line, the result is a touchback. It will be
  first and 10 for B from its 20-yard line.
  (8-5-3c 9-7-2)

21
Illegal Batting Discussion Scenarios

• Scenario 2 On third and 10 from B's 20-yard
  line, quarterback A1 receives the snap and sweeps
  right. Setting up for a trick play he turns left
  and throws a lazy looping backward pass to his
  waiting receiver A2 who appears to be wide open
  at B's 30-yard line near the other sideline.
  Unfortunately, A2 realizes that two B players
  were not fooled and if he catches the pass, he is
  going to be tacked for a 10-yard loss. When the
  pass arrives, instead of catching the ball at Bs
  30 he decides to bat the ball forward and out of
  bounds, in an attempt to minimize the loss of
  yardage. The bat by A2 goes out of bounds at Bs
  25 yard line.
• Ruling 2 The bat by A2 is illegal since he
  batted a backward pass in flight, forward. If
  accepted, A will be penalized 15 yards from the
  spot of the foul (Bs 30) because the batting
  occurred during the loose-ball play and behind
  the basic spot. The result is third and 35 from
  Bs 45. (9-7-3 10-6)

22
Illegal Batting Discussion Scenarios

• Scenario 3 First and 10 from A's 7-yard line.
  The quarterback A1 receives the snap and throws a
  quick backward pass to wide receiver A2. The
  defensive end B1, in great anticipation, gets
  there first and bats the pass in flight toward
  A's end zone, which ultimately hits the base of
  the goal post.
• Ruling 3 Safety for B. The bat by B1 is legal
  since all players of B may bat any pass in flight
  in any direction. Batting of a pass in flight is
  not considered a new force, therefore, As
  initial backward pass is the force that put the
  ball in the end zone. (9-7-3 2-13-3)

23
Illegal Batting Discussion Scenarios

• Scenario 4 During a field-goal attempt, R1, who
  is in the end zone, leaps up and bats the ball
  away from the crossbar.
• Ruling 4 Touchback. The touching by R1 in the
  end zone causes the ball to become dead, unless
  the ball caroms through the goal, thus scoring a
  field goal for K. This is not illegal batting.
  Touching by R1 in the field of play has no effect
  on the scoring of a field goal. (4-2-2d 6-2-6
  9-7-2)

24
Illegal Batting in the NFHS FHSAA Examinations

• 01. It is legal for R1 to bat a scrimmage kick
  which is beyond the neutral zone in an effort to
  keep it from going into R's end zone.
• 02. It is illegal for K1 to bat a grounded
  scrimmage kick toward K's goal line.
• 03. It is a foul if K1 at R's 1-yard line reaches
  through the plane of R's goal line and bats a
  grounded scrimmage kick towards K's goal Line.
• 04. Once a grounded scrimmage kick is beyond the
  neutral zone, K1 may not bat is back toward K's
  goal line.
• 05. A forward pass may be batted in either
  direction by eligible receivers of either team.
• 06. Any forward pass may be batted in any
  direction by either team.
• 07. It is legal for R1 to bat a low scrimmage
  kick in flight which he is attempting to block
  while he is in or behind the expanded neutral
  zone.

25
Illegal Batting in the NFHS FHSAA Examinations

• 01) FALSE 1991 NFHS P2, 1988 NFHS P2
• 02) FALSE 1990 NFHS P1
• 03) FALSE 1995 NFHS P1, 1991 NFHS P2, 1990
  NFHS P2
• 04) FALSE 1995 NFHS P2
• 05) TRUE 1989 NFHS P1
• 06) TRUE 1993 NFHS P1
• 07) TRUE 1996 FHSAA P1-Q69, 1995 NFHS P1-Q81,
  1995 NFHS P1, 1991 NFHS P2, 1990 NFHS P2

26
Illegal Batting in the NFHS FHSAA Examinations

• 08. Any pass in flight may be batted in any
  direction by an ineligible receiver.
• 09. A ball in player possession may be batted
  forward by a player of the team in possession.
• 10. A backward pass in flight may be batted in
  any direction by either team.
• 11. Batting a fumble in flight is illegal.
• 12. It is not a foul if a player accidentally
  contacts a loose ball with his hand.
• 13. Batting a ball in flight may add a new force
  to the ball.
• 14. The penalty for illegal batting is 5 yards
  and loss of down.
• 15. Batting is any touching of the ball with the
  arm or hand.

27
Illegal Batting in the NFHS FHSAA Examinations

• 08) FALSE 1996 FHSAA P1-Q70, 1995 NFHS P1-Q82
• 09) FALSE 1996 FHSAA P1-Q71, 1995 NFHS P1-Q83
• 10) FALSE 1996 FHSAA P1-Q72
• 11) FALSE 1996 NFHS P1-Q61
• 12) TRUE 1996 NFHS P1-Q62
• 13) FALSE 1996 NFHS P1-Q63
• 14) FALSE 1998 NFHS P1-Q7, 1996 NFHS P1-Q64
• 15) FALSE 1995 FHSAA P1-Q94, 1995 NFHS P2

28
Illegal Batting in the NFHS FHSAA Examinations

• 16. Any player may accidentally slap a loose ball
  with his hand.
• 17. Batting is always an intentional act.
• 18. A backward pass in flight may be batted in
  any direction by either team.
• 19. It is legal for R1 to bat K's scrimmage kick
  in an effort to block it in or behind the neutral
  zone.
• 20. Any player may legally bat a backward pass
  except for an offensive player may not bat such a
  pass forward.
• 21. Batting a ball in flight may add a new force
  to the ball.
• 22. It is illegal for an ineligible to bat a
  legal forward pass which is beyond the neutral
  zone in an effort to prevent an interception.
• 23. Batting a fumble in flight is illegal.

29
Illegal Batting in the NFHS FHSAA Examinations

• 16) TRUE 1988 NFHS P1
• 17) TRUE 1991 NFHS P2, 1988 NFHS P1, 1988 NFHS
  P2
• 18) FALSE 1995 NFHS P1-Q84
• 19) TRUE 1993 NFHS P1, 1991 NFHS P2, 1990 NFHS
  P1, 1988 NFHS P1, 1988 NFHS P2
• 20) TRUE 1992 NFHS P2, 1991 NFHS P2, 1990 NFHS
  P2, 1988 NFHS P2
• 21) FALSE 1992 NFHS P2, 1988 NFHS P1
• 22) TRUE 1992 NFHS P2, 1988 NFHS P1
• 23) FALSE 1992 NFHS P2, 1988 NFHS P1

30
Illegal Batting in the NFHS FHSAA Examinations

• 24. Batting is intentionally slapping or striking
  the ball with the arm or hand.
• 25. Batting is intentionally slapping or striking
  a loose ball with the arm, hand, leg or knee.
• 26. B1 may not legally bat a ball which is in
  possession of A1
• 27. Batting a scrimmage kick in or behind the
  neutral zone by R, in an effort to block the kick
  is legal.
• 28. K may bat a scrimmage kick in flight beyond
  the neutral zone if no player of R is in position
  to catch the ball.
• 29. A scrimmage kick which is bouncing beyond the
  neutral zone may be batted by a player of either
  team.
• 30. Batting a fumble in flight is illegal.

31
Illegal Batting in the NFHS FHSAA Examinations

• 24) TRUE 1994 NFHS P2, 1993 NFHS P1
• 25) FALSE 1992 NFHS P2, 1989 NFHS P2, 1988 NFHS
  P2, 1988 NFHS P1
• 26) FALSE 1999 FHSAA P1-Q5, 1998 FHSAA P1-Q45,
  1997 NFHS P1-Q5, 1989 NFHS P1
• 27) TRUE 1999 FHSAA P1-Q6, 1998 FHSAA P1-Q46
• 28) TRUE 1999 FHSAA P1-Q7, 1998 FHSAA P1-Q47,
  1997 NFHS P1-Q3
• 29) FALSE 1999 FHSAA P1-Q8, 1998 FHSAA P1-Q48,
  1997 NFHS P1-Q4, 1989 NFHS P1
• 30) FALSE 1999 NFHS P1-Q5

32
Illegal Batting in the NFHS FHSAA Examinations

• 31. K may bat a scrimmage kick in flight beyond
  the neutral zone if no player of R is in position
  to catch the ball.
• 32. Batting is an intentional act.
• 33. A backward pass, in flight, may be batted in
  any direction by the passing team.
• 34. Batting a scrimmage kick in or behind the
  neutral zone by R, in an effort to block the kick
  is legal.
• 35. Any pass in flight may be batted in any
  direction by an eligible receiver unless it is a
  backward pass batted forward by the passing team.
• 36. If K1 bats a grounded scrimmage kick, which
  is beyond the neutral zone, toward K's end zone
  in an effort to keep it from rolling into R's end
  zone, it is a foul for batting.

33
Illegal Batting in the NFHS FHSAA Examinations

• 31) TRUE 1999 NFHS P1-Q6, 1998 NFHS P1-Q6
• 32) TRUE 1999 NFHS P1-Q7
• 33) FALSE 1999 NFHS P1-Q8, 1993 NFHS P1
• 34) TRUE 1997 NFHS P1-Q2
• 35) TRUE 1998 NFHS P1-Q5
• 36) FALSE 1998 NFHS P1-Q8, 1993 NFHS P1

34

• The End