#catch rule

NFL owners unanimously approved a new catch rule Tuesday, a change designed specifically to avoid a handful of controversies that have vexed the league for most of this decade. Owners also approved three other rule changes, granting authority to senior vice president of officiating Al Riveron to eject players for non-football acts — even if it means overruling on-field referees — and making…

NFL owners unaminously agree on changes to the catch rule

This provides some clarification but still leaves arbitrary interpretations of what “a football move” is.

Pittsburgh’s TD-that-wasn’t gives New England the inside track to the top seed in the AFC. Source: Analysis | NFL’s notorious catch rule resurfaces in decisive moment. Will it ever be changed?

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Under the NFL’s definition of a catch, the league was right to take away what looked to be a game-winning Jesse James touchdown catch at the end of Sunday night’s Patriots-Steelers game. There are still unanswered questions — notably, if the call was as easy as the explanations of Alberto Riveron and Tony Correntehave suggested, why it took what felt like 10 minutes to overturn the call —…

Nine rule changes were made this past week at the NFL owners meeting in Boca Raton, Florida. But nothing was done to clarify what constitutes a catch in the NFL. The NFL’s stance seems to be, sorry fans if you’re confused, but we think it’s pretty clear.

But In 2015, there were 139 coaches’ challenges over pass completions. This was the most among all categories—which has been the case every year since 2008 when the league started tracking the data. The official rule (here) seems clear yet so many “catches” that look like catches have been ruled incomplete. Is it a matter of subjectivity as to how long a player holds on to the ball before he or the ball touches the ground. Well, the owners didn’t change the rule, so expect another year of questions and confusion and debate on “Was that a catch?” Pictured are some plays of the past few years that were ruled incomplete and prompted much debate. 

Pic 1 - Cowboys WR Dez Bryant vs Packers Jan. 11, 2015 - Divisional Playoff. The catch call was reversed. The Packers won 26-21. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

Pic 2 – Lions WR Calvin Johnson vs Bears Sept. 10, 2010 - with seconds left in game, apparent TD catch ruled incomplete and the Bears won 19-14. Source 

Pic 3 - Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr vs Patriots Nov. 15, 2015 - Go-ahead TD ruling reversed. Pats won 27-26. Source