Interceptions in the End Zone
Posted: 10/12/2016
Q: Can you return an interception in the end zone. We had one five yards deep into the end zone Friday night and he returned it to the ten. Is that an automatic touchback?
A: In Rule 4, the interception in the end zone is not listed, therefore, the ball is not dead when intercepted.
What about Rule 8-5-3d: A forward pass is intercepted in B's end zone and becomes dead there in B's possession?
Until the ball becomes dead in the end zone (B player tackled, goes out of bounds in the end zone, or otherwise makes the ball dead), he’s entitled to run the ball out of the end zone. This has always been treated differently than a kick.
No interception requires that a beanbag be dropped. The spot of the interception will never be used as an enforcement spot.
A: In Rule 4, the interception in the end zone is not listed, therefore, the ball is not dead when intercepted.
What about Rule 8-5-3d: A forward pass is intercepted in B's end zone and becomes dead there in B's possession?
Until the ball becomes dead in the end zone (B player tackled, goes out of bounds in the end zone, or otherwise makes the ball dead), he’s entitled to run the ball out of the end zone. This has always been treated differently than a kick.
No interception requires that a beanbag be dropped. The spot of the interception will never be used as an enforcement spot.
