Dear NFL, What Is A Catch?
Start writing a post
Sports

Dear NFL, What Is A Catch?

The NFL needs to restructure its rulebook

47
Dear NFL, What Is A Catch?

After watching a lot of football this year, I've noticed there still seems to be a lot of uncertainty when it comes to referees making judgement calls. Now obviously on judgement calls there can only be so many guidelines in the rule book since it is up to the referee to make the call. However, I still think the NFL has to make it more clear how those judgements should be made. For example, what exactly is a "catch" and what exactly is "not a catch". It amazes me that even after implementing instant replay a few years back, there are still so many incorrect calls being made on the field. Wasn't the whole point of adding instant replay to the game to avoid this from happening? To make it easier on the NFL commissioner who will definitely read this article and implement my rule book change suggestions, here is the rule that needs to be changed and what I think it should be changed to:

We need a more clear rule about what is a "catch."

This rule gets botched every single week by NFL refs. Mostly because there are so many contradictions in the rule book about how a ref should decide. According to NFL rules:

"In order to complete a catch, a receiver must clearly become a runner. He does that by gaining control of the ball, touching both feet down and then, after the second foot is down, having the ball long enough to clearly become a runner, which is defined as the ability to ward off or protect himself from impending contact. If, before becoming a runner, a receiver falls to the ground in an attempt to make a catch, he must maintain control of the ball after contacting the ground. If he loses control of the ball after contacting the ground and the ball touches the ground before he regains control, the pass is incomplete. Reaching the ball out before becoming a runner will not trump the requirement to hold onto the ball when you land. When you are attempting to complete a catch, you must put the ball away or protect the ball so it does not come loose."

Is this as confusing to you as it is to me? It seems like every sentence is a contradiction. And clearly this rule is no good. I'm thinking about Odell Beckham Jr.'s missed touchdown catch a few weeks back (speaking of OBJ, why wasn't he ejected in the first quarter of last week's game when all the violence was first starting?), I'm thinking about Megatron's missed touchdown catch earlier this year, and I'm thinking about the big Dez Bryant call in the postseason against the Packers. Fans have been demanding a significant change to this rule for a while now and it's time. A catch or no catch call can determine the outcome of the game so it's time to establish what exactly a catch is. In my opinion, let's make it as easy as it gets. Let's say you need to have full possession when you get to the ground and the ball can never hit the ground. If you lose full possession at any point once you hit the ground it is not a catch. But hey, that's just my opinion. The bottom line is that we are getting down to the end of the season when every play matters and the correct calls need to be made.

So NFL, I ask you one last time, what is a catch? Please explain this to me and the whole football world ASAP and make the necessary changes to the rule book before the playoffs start. Make the right call, explain this rule better.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned.

70862
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

132453
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments