Trying to sum up what a catch is — even in 2023, with all the rules tweaks we’ve seen — in the NFL is as tough as making a contested grab against an elite cornerback.
But this is almost assuredly going to come up in the NFL playoffs and maybe cause some controversy, so we’ll do our best here to run through the rules to make sure you can argue it on your couch while officials run through the replay a bunch of times.
Let’s start with the obvious: A player who catches the ball has to be inbounds. You knew that. But here are the definitions via the NFL:
a. secures control of the ball in his hands or arms prior to the ball touching the ground; and
b. touches the ground inbounds with both feet or with any part of his body other than his hands; and
c. after (a) and (b) have been fulfilled, performs any act common to the game (e.g., tuck the ball away, extend it forward, take an additional step, turn upfield, or avoid or ward off an opponent), or he maintains control of the ball long enough to do so.
Yep, the “C” part can be tricky, but those examples seem decently clear.
In the “notes” section below these rules, there are some really important details: If the ball moves, it DOESN’T mean that it’s an incomplete pass. If the ball hits the ground “before [the receiver] regains control, or if he regains control out of bounds,” it’s incomplete.
Got it? OK.
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