Without a doubt the most inconsistent simple call in high school football is the touchback on kickoffs. I have seen it called/not called a multiple of ways. I see momentum carrying receivers into the endzone and it called and not called. I have seen the ball simply breaking the plane of the goal line and the receiver not allowed to return it. My point is that the officials either dont know the rule or dont know the interpretation. What exactly is the rule?

The plane is the determining factor.

Momentum into the EZ kills it. No return.

What about 1 or 2 feet in the EZ, catching the ball on, say, the half yard line?

What about 1 or 2 feet in the EZ' date=' catching the ball on, say, the half yard line?[/quote']

 

Bring it out.

What about 1 or 2 feet in the EZ, catching the ball on, say, the half yard line?

 

The ball has to cross the plane of the goal line. I have seen kids stand just outside the goaline and jump up and try to knock the ball back in play.

Any part of the ball or the player crosses into the end zone and it's a touch back.

Any part of the ball or the player crosses into the end zone and it's a touch back.

 

Incorrect. Ball is all that matters.

It is all about the ball. If it breaks the plane of the goal line, regardless of the position of the feet of the returner, then, by rule, it is a touchback. The returner should be instructed to "when in doubt, run it out." Let the officials make the call on the play. They will blow the play dead if necessary.

Seems silly that it's the plane of the goal line, when most of the time that is a judgement call on the part of the official.

Seems silly that it's the plane of the goal line, when most of the time that is a judgement call on the part of the official.

 

I don't understand your point. Officials make (or don't make) judgment calls on every single play in a football game.

@bruin66 is correct. Players body makes no difference. One foot, two feet it doesn't matter.