NFL Owners Tighten Rules On Definition Of Completed Catch

Miami, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 27th Mar, 2018 ) :NFL team owners voted unanimously Tuesday to approve changing the league's "catch" rule, tightening the definition of a reception to ease what had become an area of officiating controversy.

In the annual owners meeting at Orlando, owners approved a new rule requiring only three parts to a completed catch -- control of the ball, two feet down or another body part grounded in bounds and the making of a "football move." A "football move" was defined as either a third step, reaching for or extending the ball toward the line to gain or the ability to perform such an act.

It remains with on-field officials to judge whether a catch has been completed, subject to video review as warranted. Gone is a requirement that a receiver maintain control of the ball throughout the process of going to the ground.

Owners also finalized a rule having teams begin play after a touchback from the 25-yard line and allowing the replay review office officials to eject players for on-field violations.