Football Moves: Understanding Nfl's Unique Playbook Rules

what constitutes a football move in the nfl

The football move is a term used to determine whether a player has successfully completed a catch in the NFL. While the term is no longer in the rulebook, it is still used by commentators and experts to describe the act of a receiver proving they have complete possession of the football. This includes actions such as tucking the ball away, turning upfield, taking an additional step, or reaching towards the line-to-gain. The NFL has worked to simplify its catch rules, but there are still grey areas and ambiguous wording that can lead to confusion and controversy.

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The term football move is no longer in the NFL rulebook

The National Football League (NFL) has been revising its rules to protect the integrity of the game, make the games fairer, and more entertaining.

Previously, a "football move" was a commonly used term to define a catch. A player who establishes control of the ball, lands on the field, and then holds it long enough to do something else was deemed to have made a football move. This "something else" could be pitching it, passing it, advancing with it, or avoiding an opponent.

However, the term "football move" is no longer in the NFL rulebook. The change was made to make the referee's decisions less subjective. The new rule states that a catch is made when a player secures control of the ball in their hands or arms before it touches the ground, touches the ground inbounds, and maintains control of the ball long enough to enable them to perform any act common to the game. This act used to be referred to as a "football move", but now the rulebook simply defines it as "maintaining control long enough to pitch it, pass it, advance with it, or avoid or ward off an opponent".

Some people have criticised the change, arguing that the new rule is too complex and difficult to understand. Others have defended it, saying that it is not complex and that it provides a clear definition of a catch, reducing the need for subjective judgement calls by officials.

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Football move gives the assumption of possession

The term "football move" is often used when explaining the catch rule in the NFL. It is not explicitly defined in the rulebook, but it is generally understood to mean an action that indicates a player has possession of the ball. This could include taking another step, reaching or extending for the line-to-gain, tucking the ball away, turning upfield, or simply holding onto the ball long enough to do something else.

The catch rule in football is a source of frequent discussion, debate, and even controversy. It determines whether a player has successfully completed a catch, which can impact crucial moments in a game, such as scoring a touchdown or making a first down. The NFL has worked to simplify its catch rules, but there are still some grey areas and ambiguous wording that can lead to confusion and disagreement among players, coaches, and even referees.

According to the NFL rulebook, a catch is considered complete when a player secures control of the ball in their hands or arms before it touches the ground, touches the ground inbounds with both feet or any other part of their body except their hands, and maintains control of the ball long enough to perform an act common to the game, such as pitching it, passing it, advancing with it, or warding off an opponent. This last criterion is often referred to as the "'football move'" and is meant to indicate that the player has done more than just catch the ball and is now in possession of it.

However, the interpretation of what constitutes a "football move" can vary, and it is not always clear to fans, players, or even referees when this criterion has been met. This ambiguity gives referees significant power to make game-changing decisions, and it can be challenging to determine exactly when a player has secured and controlled the ball. Some commentators have argued that the term "football move" gives referees too much leeway in making calls that may or may not be correct, and it has been a source of controversy in several notable NFL games.

In summary, a "football move" in the NFL refers to an action that gives the assumption of possession of the ball. While it is not explicitly defined in the rulebook, it is generally understood to mean that a player has done something with the ball beyond simply catching it, indicating that they now have possession. The interpretation of what constitutes a "football move" can vary, and it is a frequent topic of discussion and debate among fans, players, coaches, and referees.

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A player must make an act common to the game

The NFL has worked hard to simplify its catch rules since the "Dez caught it" moment in 2014. The league first tweaked the catch rule in response to the Bryant no-catch to state that players needed to "'establish themselves as a runner' instead of "make a football move". The "football move" is no longer in the rulebook regarding what constitutes a catch. However, players are still, in essence, required to survive the ground to make a catch in many instances.

The "act common to the game" is more well-defined than the simple "football move" provision that used to exist. A player must make an "act common to the game" before going to the ground with the ball to complete a catch. This can include extending the ball or getting a third foot down inbounds, among other options. If a player does not do that, they must control the ball through contact with the ground.

A "football move" is something that a receiver must do to prove they have complete possession of the football immediately after having both hands on the ball. This can include taking a couple of steps forward or backward, tiptoeing to stay inbounds, or taking a knee. The "football move" accomplishes on the field is to give the assumption of possession.

A player who makes a catch may advance the ball. A forward pass is complete (by the offense) or intercepted (by the defense) in the field of play, at the sideline, or in the end zone if a player, who is inbounds, secures control of the ball in his hands or arms prior to the ball touching the ground. The receiver must then make a "football move", such as taking another step, reaching/extending for the line-to-gain, or having the ability to perform such an act.

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Football move is used when explaining the catch rule

The catch rule in football is a source of frequent discussion, debate, and even controversy. This rule determines whether a player has successfully completed a catch, which can impact crucial moments in a game, such as scoring a touchdown or making a first down.

The term "football move" is often used when explaining the catch rule. It is used to determine whether a player has successfully completed a catch and gained possession of the ball. A football move is something that a receiver must do to prove they have complete possession of the football immediately after having both hands on the ball. This can include taking a couple of steps forward or backward, tiptoeing to stay inbounds, or taking a knee, among other actions.

The NFL has worked to simplify its catch rules, and the term ""football move" is no longer in the rulebook. Instead, the rulebook now states that players must ""establish themselves as a runner" after grabbing the ball. This means that a player must secure and control the ball and then perform "an act common to the game" such as extending the ball or tucking it away.

However, the concept of a "football move" is still used by commentators and referees, and it continues to be a source of debate and confusion. Some people argue that the term is ambiguous and gives referees too much power to make game-changing decisions.

In summary, the term "football move" is used when explaining the catch rule to determine whether a player has successfully completed a catch and gained possession of the ball. While the term is no longer officially used in the NFL rulebook, it still comes up in discussions about controversial or questionable catches.

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The receiver must make a football move after catching the ball

The concept of "making a football move" is a highly debated topic in the NFL. The term is often used when explaining the catch rule, which determines whether a player has successfully completed a catch, thereby impacting crucial moments in a game, such as scoring a touchdown or making a first down.

While the term "football move" is no longer explicitly mentioned in the NFL rulebook, the concept remains crucial in determining a successful catch. The rulebook now emphasizes the need for a player to establish themselves as a runner or perform "an act common to the game" after gaining control of the ball. This clarification was made to provide more clarity to officials and reduce ambiguity in catch rulings.

It's worth noting that the interpretation of a "football move" can vary among commentators and referees, leading to some controversial calls and disagreements. The assumption of possession is a critical aspect of the "football move," and it gives referees the power to make game-changing decisions. However, the exact definition of a "football move" remains ambiguous, allowing for subjective interpretations and contributing to the ongoing debate surrounding the catch rule in the NFL.

In conclusion, the receiver must make a football move after catching the ball to demonstrate complete possession and control. While the specific definition of a football move is open to interpretation, it generally refers to any action that indicates the receiver's control of the ball and their intention to continue the play. This move can be as simple as taking a step, tucking the ball, or extending it for a touchdown, but it plays a significant role in the flow and outcome of the game.

Frequently asked questions

A football move is something that a receiver must do to prove they have complete possession of the football immediately after having both hands on the ball. This can include taking a couple of steps, tiptoeing to stay inbounds, or taking a knee.

A catch in football is when a receiver gains possession of the ball while inbounds. For a catch to be official, certain criteria must be met: the receiver must control the ball, get two feet or another body part down, and make a "football move".

The catch rule has been a source of frequent discussion, debate, and controversy in the NFL. The league has worked hard to simplify its catch rules, but there remain grey areas in the rulebook due to ambiguous wording.

The catch rule is central to the integrity of the game, impacting everything from game strategy to the outcome of games. Understanding the intricacies of what constitutes a catch can enhance the viewing experience and appreciation for the skill of the players.

No, the term "football move" is not defined in the NFL rulebook. However, players are still required to survive the ground to make a catch in many instances, which means maintaining control of the ball through contact with the ground.

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