The momentum exception is an exception to the rule describing action that results in a Safety (other than by penalty) (8-5-2a). The NFHS rule book stipulates if a ball becomes dead in a team’s end zone and the defending team is responsible for the ball being there, it is a safety. Based on that simple definition, and without an exception, if a defensive player carries the ball into his end zone, the opponent is awarded two points. A player makes a critical fumble recovery or spectacular interception on the B-3 and his original momentum carries him into the end zone where he is downed? Two points for the opponents.
This doesn’t seem fair, but prior to 1982, high school players could make an apparent game-changing play and be personally responsible for adding two points to the opponent’s score. Recognizing this incongruence, the NFHS rules interpreters added the momentum exception to the safety rule. They realized that uniformly applying the strict definition of “safety” would sometimes result in an unfair outcome of the play for the defensive team (an unreasonable consequence for making a good play). The momentum exception provides some clemency when a defending team player possesses the ball close to his goal line and his original momentum takes him into the end zone.
Like other complex rules with multiple components (i.e., post-scrimmage kick enforcement), the “exception to safety” rule must be examined in distinct segments.
1. The momentum exception applies between the defensive team’s 5-yard line and goal line.
2. It applies to an interception or a recovery.
3. It applies to a forward or backward pass, free or scrimmage kick, or fumble.
4. It applies only to the interception or recovery of an opponent’s pass, kick, or fumble.
5. The ball must be declared dead in the end zone in the defending team’s possession or the ball must go out of bounds in the end zone.
6. The player’s original momentum must take him into the end zone.
If all the above play conditions are satisfied, the ball belongs to the defensive player’s team at the spot where he gained possession.
If the ball leaves the end zone for any reason (the ball is carried, fumbled, or muffed), the momentum exception expires.
Quiz
Read the quiz stem and then choose the best answer.
R13 intercepts a pass on the R-4 and runs parallel to the goal line. He is hit and fumbles on the R-4. R20 catches the fumble and his original momentum carries him into the end zone where he is downed.
- The result of the play is a safety.
- Team R will next snap the ball from the R-20
- Team R will next snap the ball from the R-4
Review Rule 8-5-2 EXCEPTION