Behind the Football Stripes forum- New hires?? April 17, 2014
- [MLB] 2014 baseball observations April 17, 2014
- [MLB] Are umpire-manager blowups becoming extinct? April 16, 2014
- [MLB] New book by Doug Harvey April 16, 2014
- [MLB] New book by Al Clark April 16, 2014
- Archive of Officials' Numbers April 16, 2014
- Video: Future/former NFL officials in USFL debut? April 16, 2014
- History of Officials Uniforms April 15, 2014
- In honor of Jackie Robinson day, NFL salutes their firsts April 15, 2014
- Stanley Cup Officials - First Round April 15, 2014
Category Archives: Rules School
Unconventional look for unconferenced 2014 Pro Bowl
The Pro Bowl will undergo radical changes this season in an attempt to add variety to a typically dull game. The league, based on their promotional spots for the game, would like us to highlight the fact that this game … Continue reading
Sometimes a safety is just a safety
AFC Divisional Playoff: Colts at Patriots When the snap sails over the punter’s head and out the back of the end zone, all of us have the same first reaction: safety. However this season we saw many instances of bizarre … Continue reading
You make the call: How would you rule in these 10 punt situations?
How well do you know your rules when it comes to downing punts? Take the Football Zebras rules quiz to see how well you do. Continue reading
2 reasons why Le’Veon Bell helmet-less TD can never be TD
Player safety must trump exceptions to the rule During the Ravens-Steelers Thanksgiving night football game, the Steelers’ Le’Veon Bell was lunging toward the goal line when he was hit with a devastating blow from the Ravens, knocking his helmet off. … Continue reading
Media tape: Pylon/sideline reviewable, fumble recovery in field of play is not
NFL vice president of officiating Dean Blandino narrates the weekly media tape on calls from the previous week, which can be downloaded here. Several unusual calls this week under discussion: A Ravens blocked punt recovery beyond the line of scrimmage, … Continue reading
Training tape: defenseless receiver, taunting, clock on out-of-bounds fumble
Also, both feet touching the ground in bounds and the mechanics for a fair catch kick. Continue reading
No rule to help home team on fan’s whistle
49ers at Seahawks (video/audio) Early in the game, the Seahawks fell victim to a fan who blew a whistle in the crowd — their own home crowd. Some of the Seahawks linemen looked genuinely confused, as they believed it was … Continue reading
1st use of new rule might not be right use
Week 1: Texans at Chargers (video) Post updated: The league has stated the rule was incorrectly applied (see below). The Competition Committee looked at a specific instance of dangerous play at the request of players: the vulnerability of the center … Continue reading
LJ Baynes keeps crew on no-TD call
Ravens at Broncos (video via Deadspin) 4th qtr | 12:35. On a night when Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning throws seven touchdowns — first time anyone has done that since Joe Kapp in 1969 — his teammate, Danny Trevathan, upstaged everything … Continue reading
Summary of 2013 rules changes
Football Zebras interviewed NFL vice president of officiating Dean Blandino back in May about rule changes that take effect for the 2013 season. The times in the podcast when each item is discussed are listed below. Open-field runners and defenders … Continue reading