Intentional Grounding in Football: There are moments when a quarterback feels intense pressure from the defense. To avoid being sacked and potentially losing yardage or turning the ball over, quarterbacks sometimes intentionally throw the ball away.
This strategy can result in an incomplete pass, often a better outcome than a sack, fumble, or interception. However, specific rules govern when and how a quarterback can throw the ball away to avoid penalties.
If these rules aren’t followed, the quarterback may be flagged for intentional grounding, a penalty that can significantly impact the offense’s ability to move downfield effectively.
Let’s break down what intentional grounding is, its definition, and what happens when this penalty is called.
What is Intentional Grounding in Football?
Intentional grounding occurs when a quarterback, facing “an imminent loss of yardage,” throws a forward pass with no realistic chance of completion.
The NFL defines a “realistic chance of completion” as:
“a pass is thrown in the direction of and lands in the vicinity of an originally eligible receiver.”
This means a quarterback cannot simply throw the ball wherever they want to escape pressure. There must be an apparent effort to make a legitimate pass.
The rule gives referees discretion to determine whether a throw meets the criteria for a “realistic chance of completion.” Learn more about NFL Rules
Examples of Intentional Grounding
Here are two scenarios to clarify what constitutes intentional grounding:
(1) Intentional Grounding
The quarterback throws the ball out of bounds with no receivers near the throw.
(2) Not Intentional Grounding
The quarterback throws the ball out of bounds in the general direction of a receiver, with the pass landing at a reasonable height that could be caught.
The key distinction between these examples lies in the quarterback’s intent and action. While both throws aim to avoid a sack or defender’s hit, the quarterback must at least make it appear like they are trying to complete a pass. Failing to do so can result in an intentional grounding penalty, a costly mistake for any offense.
Exceptions to the Intentional Grounding Rule
There are two key exceptions where a quarterback’s pass will not be considered intentional grounding:
Hit by a Defender
When a defender hits a quarterback while attempting to throw, intentional grounding is not called, regardless of where the ball lands.
This is because the defender’s contact can alter the ball’s trajectory. Even if the quarterback intended to throw the ball away legally, the impact could make the pass appear illegal.
Referees account for this and waive intentional grounding in such cases.
Outside the “Tackle Box”
The second exception applies when the quarterback is outside the “tackle box” or “the pocket.” This area is defined as the space between the left and right offensive tackles’ initial positions at the start of the play.
If a quarterback is forced out of the tackle box by defensive pressure, they are allowed to throw the ball away without penalty provided the ball reaches or surpasses the line of scrimmage.
For example, if the quarterback throws the ball to the ground just a few yards before them, even outside the tackle box, they may still be penalized for intentional grounding if the throw doesn’t meet this requirement.
The Penalty for Intentional Grounding
The consequences for intentional grounding are consistent across all levels of football, but the exact penalties vary slightly by league:
NFL
- Penalty: Loss of 10 yards and a loss of down.
- Example: If the offense starts at 2nd-and-6, the next play will begin at 3rd-and-16.
College Football
- Penalty: Loss of down, but the yardage penalty is determined by the spot of the foul.
- Example: If a quarterback commits intentional grounding 4 yards behind the line of scrimmage on 2nd-and-6, the next play starts at 3rd-and-10.
High School and Youth Leagues
- Typically, they follow the same rules as college football, with a loss of down and penalty yardage assessed from the spot of the foul.
Conclusion
Intentional grounding remains one of football’s more nuanced and misunderstood rules. Its enforcement depends on the specific circumstances of the play and the referee’s judgment in real time.
Understanding the rule is crucial for quarterbacks to avoid costly penalties. A grounding call can significantly lose yardage and down, hindering an offense’s progress.
Throwing the ball away under defensive pressure is often a smart move. Still, quarterbacks must know how to do so correctly either by ensuring they are outside the tackle box or targeting a receiver near the throw.
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