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The runner is considered down when either a: His forward progress stops or b: any part of his body other than his foot or hand touches the ground AND he is touched by a player of an opposing team.

There is no "down by contact" in College Football. That's only in the pros. When a college player goes down he cannot get up and continue running, period. He does not have to be touched by an opposing player to be considered down.

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Q: When is the ball or player considered down in NFL football?
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In football if you are down on another player are you down?

It depends. If your knee is touching the ground, or if the ball is, you are considered "down by contact". If both the ball and your knee are off the ground, you are still able to get up and run. (This has happened numerous times with players falling over an opposing player, landing on their feet and continuing on)


When an offensive player's shin hits the ground while carrying the ball is he considered down?

Not in the NFLNope. At least not in the NFL. If a ball carrier falls down on top of an opposing player and does not otherwise touch the ground, he is not considered down by contact and may continue to advance the ball.Some part of the ball carrier's body, other than his hands or feet, has to make contact with the ground for him to be considered down(Technically, a knee or elbow or helmet has to make contact with the turf for the carrier to be down).This is true for all levels of football play: HS, NCAA, NFL.


When is an NFL player considered down?

When the player who has the ball has a knee or elbow on the ground when in contact with a player from the opposite team. When the player that has the ball touches any other body part besides his hands on the ground and is in contact with a player from the opposite team.


If a receiver's knee is down and he then catches the ball is it incomplete in college football?

No, it is considered a completed pass. A receiver may go to the ground to catch the ball, as long as it doesn't hit the ground.


Are you considered down where the knee hits or where the ball hits in football?

What matters is where the ball is when any part of your body besides your foot or hand touch the ground. Or if you get caught and pushed back, it's the point of maximum forward progress, on the theory that the play ended when you started to be pushed backwards.

Related questions

How do you player of football player?

The goal of football is to move the ball down the field and into the end zone for a touchdown.


Is a college football player down only if his knee touches the ground?

No ... if the shoulder, elbow, forearm, or wrist touch the ground the ball carrier is also considered down.


In football if you are down on another player are you down?

It depends. If your knee is touching the ground, or if the ball is, you are considered "down by contact". If both the ball and your knee are off the ground, you are still able to get up and run. (This has happened numerous times with players falling over an opposing player, landing on their feet and continuing on)


When a player loses control of the ball in football and falls down is called?

fumble


Can you carry a football player backwards for loss?

no because once the football player has lost all of his forward momentum the refree will mark the ball down there.


Where is the football placed on tackles?

The ball is placed where the ball actually is (assuming the player still has "possession") when the player is down by contact or when the knee hits the ground.


In football can one offensive player call time out while another offensive player has the ball but has not been tackled?

No, a timeout can not be called until the player with the ball is down or out of bounds.


When is a ball carrier down in football?

no it is defined as follows: player is down when knee or above, or forearm or elbow is cleary on the ground.


When an offensive player's shin hits the ground while carrying the ball is he considered down?

Not in the NFLNope. At least not in the NFL. If a ball carrier falls down on top of an opposing player and does not otherwise touch the ground, he is not considered down by contact and may continue to advance the ball.Some part of the ball carrier's body, other than his hands or feet, has to make contact with the ground for him to be considered down(Technically, a knee or elbow or helmet has to make contact with the turf for the carrier to be down).This is true for all levels of football play: HS, NCAA, NFL.


Is a player considered down if he catches a pass falls gets up and keeps going?

In college football, once a player's knee touches the ground the play is whistled dead regardless of whether a defensive player made contact with the ball carrier. In the NFL, a defensive player must make contact with the ball carrier to have the play whistled dead. So to answer your question, in college the player is down and the play is over. In the NFL, the player is not down and the play continues.


What is checking the ball down in football?

kicking the ball


How is flexibility used in football?

flexibility is used in football because you need to dive for the ball to save a shot