SEC Football Official Don Shanks Q and A Page

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Don will provide two services for my page. 1) He will keep us up-to-date on the latest rule changes affecting SEC football. 2) During the football season, if you are watching a game and an SEC official makes a call you have a question about, email it to me and Don will answer your question on my page.

Instructions: When you have a question for Don, email it directly to me (please make sure you state that it is a question for Don) and I will post it to my page. During the week, Don will be checking out my page and when he sees that he has a question, he will email me his answer and I will post it to my page. It's as simple as that.

If you want Don to speak at your function, email him at Don Shanks and he will get back with you.

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Don Shanks Q&A Archives - 1997

01/17/99 Question from Don Shanks to all of you - It's time to get involved! What are some of the rule changes "you" the football fan would like to see for 1999? It's input from fans, coaches, and officials that make NCAA football what it is today. Email me at Ccs102861@aol.com with your responses. Thanks.

01/17/99 Question from Mike - How does the SEC interpret the legality of a fair catch signal if made behind the neutral zone? In one part of the rule book (definitions), it says no signal made behind the NZ can be illegal. However, in the fair catch section of the rulebook, it says that "any signal" is illegal if....and then it goes on to state the conditions which make the signal illegal. But, it says nothing about a requirement that the signal be beyond the neutral zone.

01/28/99 Answer from Don Shanks - Rules pertaining to a fair catch apply only when a scrimmage kick crosses the neutral zone or during free kicks. If the ball doesn't cross the neutral zone we would disregard any signal and the ball would continue in play. A ball that doesn't cross the neutral zone can be advanced by either team. Thanks for the question.

12/25/98 Question from Lee - How is a referee team picked for a game such as the SEC Championship game? Are they graded on their calling? Are teams scrutinized on their tendencies of calls on particular teams?

01/01/99 Answer from Don Shanks - In the Southeastern Conference the officials work in crews during the year. The Championship Game is worked by one of the crews that is selected by the coordinator of officials. He gets input from technical advisors that observe and rate the crews during the football season. The bowl game officials are selected and awarded on their individual rating. SEC officials will work the Sugar, Holiday, and Liberty bowl. Thanks for the question.

(Comment from Gene - Our very own Don Shanks was selected to work the Holiday Bowl. Congrats Don. You can send your own congrats to Don by emailing him at Ccs102861@aol.com).

11/19/98 Question from Don - Snap for punt goes over the head of the punter. Punter in desperation kicks the ball backwards out of his own end zone and a safety is awarded. Is this the correct call and if it is, are there other possible choices? The game it happened in was the UT - UA game.

11/21/98 Answer from Don Shanks - Rule 9-4-4, Illegally Kicking Ball: A player shall not kick a loose ball, a forward pass or a ball being held for a place kick by an opponent. These illegal acts do not change the status of the loose ball or forward pass. Penalty: 15 yard from the basic spot and loss of down if the loss of down is not in conflict with other rules. Fouls by the offensive team behind the "basic spot" are enforced from the spot of the foul.

Play: Team A in punt formation at B's 40 yard line when snapper A50 snaps the ball over the head of punter A10. Ball rolls loose to B's 10 yard line when A10 kicks the ball out the back of the end zone.

Penalty: The 10 yard line is the spot of the foul. Team B has the option of taken the result of the play, safety or the ball at the five yard line, 1st and goal. Thanks for the question.

11/19/98 Question from Joel - I have a question about the penalty for pass interference.
Saturday, I saw 3 different penalties enforced:
1) Call - Pass interference in the end zone. Penalty - 15-yds first down.
2) Call - Pass interference in the end zone. Penalty - First down on the 2 yd line.
3) Call - Pass interference. Penalty - First down at the spot.

Why did each of these calls result in different penalties?

Thank you.

11/21/98 Answer from Don Shanks - Penalty:
Pass interference by Team A(offense) is 15 yards from the previous spot.
Pass interference by team B(defense) is as follows:

  • A) A's ball at the spot of the foul, first down, if the foul occurs less than 15 yard beyond the previous spot.
  • B) If the foul occurs 15 or more yards beyond the previous spot, Team A's ball, first down, 15 yards from the previous spot.
  • C) When the ball is snapped between the Team B 17-yard line and the Team B two-yard line and the spot of the foul is beyond the two-yard line(end zone or one yard line), the penalty from the previous spot shall place the ball at the two-yard line, first down. No penalty enforced from outside the two-yard line may place the ball inside the two-yard line.
  • D) If the previous spot was on or inside the two-yard line, first down halfway between the previous spot and the goal line.

    Play: Team A's ball 1st and 10 on B's 17 yard line. Qb-10 throws a pass toward receiver A-88 at the 11 yard line. Pass interference is called on B-34. Penalty: Team A's ball, 1st and 10 at the 11 yard line.

    Play: Team A's ball 1st and 10 on B's 11 yard line. Qb-10 throws a pass toward receiver A-88 in the end zone. Pass interference is called on B-34. Penalty: Team A's ball, 1st and goal at B's 2 yard line.

    Play: Team A's ball on B's 40 yard line. Qb-10 Throws a pass toward in B's end zone. Pass interference is call on B-34. Penalty; Team A's ball, 1st and 10 at B's 25 yard line.

    There are a few exceptions to this rule, but is what you see most of the time. Hope this answers your question. Thanks.

    11/16/98 Question from Gerald - If a Quarterback steps back and falls, touching the ball to the ground, but not his knee, IS THE BALL DEAD OR CAN A FUMBLE OCCUR????

    11/18/98 Answer from Don Shanks - A player is not down until any part of his body comes in contact with the ground, except his hand or foot. When a runner puts his hand down to brace himself, whether he has the ball in his hand or not, he is not down and may still advance the ball. Thanks for the question.

    11/16/98 Question from Doug - I noticed in the MSU-Alabama game that in the shotgun, Andrew Zow not only raised and stepped one foot forward (as many quarterbacks do without actually moving since they never pick up their back foot) he actually raised the second one and not only moved forward, but also sometimes simultaneously with another Alabama player in lateral motion. This happened several times with the second foot either coming off the ground or even landing before the ball was snapped but the official directly behind him never threw a flag. Would this not be illegal motion?

    11/18/98 Answer from Don Shanks - When a team is in the shot gun formation most teams use the qb lifting his leg to signal the snapper that he is ready for the snap. Our Referees don't consider this movement as simulating a snap or a shifting move. Hopes this answers your question.

    11/16/98 Questioner Unknown - What is definition of the neutral zone at the line of scrimmage? During the MSU / UA game MSU started possession at the twenty, once after a kick through the end zone and again after a pass interception in the end zone, the Alabama defense lined up with their hands on the twenty yard line. Is this legal?

    11/18/98 Answer from Don Shanks - The neutral zone is the space between the two lines of scrimmage extended to the sidelines and is the length of the ball. The neutral zone is established when the ball is ready for play and is resting on the ground with its long axis at right angles to the scrimmage line and parallel to the sidelines. If a team starts on the 20 yard line, the ball is place on the back side of the 20. So a defensive lineman's hand could be touching the white and not be offside. Hope this helps. Thanks.

    11/02/98 Question from Steven - During the overtime period, if a team commits a turnover, can the opposing team return it for a touchdown? Say for instance, team A has the ball first in the overtime period and throws an interception (or has a field goal blocked), which is returned by team B for a touchdown. Is the game over at that point, or is it just the end of team A's possession and team B now gets the ball? And what about PAT's during overtime? Can they be returned for scores the same way they are in regulation?

    Thank you.

    11/05/98 Answer from Don Shanks - Extra Periods: The officials will escort the captains to the center of the field for the coin toss. The winner of the toss shall choose "one" of the following options:

    1. Offense or defense, with the offense at the opponent's 25-yard line to start the first series.
    2. Which end of the field shall be used for both series of the overtime period.
    Note: The winner of the toss may not defer his choice.
    3. The loser of the toss shall exercise the remaining option for the first extra period and shall have the first choice of the two options for subsequent even-number extra periods.

    Other than on the try, Team B intercepts a pass or fumble for a touchdown or recovers a fumble or a backward pass and scores a touchdown. Ruling: Period and game are ended, and Team B is the winner.

    Team A attempts a field goal and the kick is blocked. Team B recovers the kick and runs it into Team A's end zone. Ruling: Touchdown, game is ended.

    The only way Team B can score in overtime and the game not be over would be in the following way. Example: On the first possession of a period, Team A scores a Touchdown. On the try, Team B intercepts a pass or blocks the try and returns it for a two-point touchdown. Ruling: Team B is awarded the ball on the 25-yard line to start its series of the period with the overtime score 6-2.

    Thanks for the question.

    10/15/98 Question from Thomas - I used to referee, but it has been several years and many of the rules have changed. However, I thought if the offensive team committed pass interference in the opponents end zone (i.e., going in for a score) that the ball went over the to the other team at the 20. I admit that the rule seemed strange, but I'm almost sure that is what the ruling was. The other night Arizona got called for offensive pass interference in the end zone and they only received a 5 yard penalty from the line of scrimmage. What is the current rule?

    10/18/98 Answer from Don Shanks - Rule 7-3, Article 8,b: Offensive pass interference by a Team A player beyond the neutral zone during a legal forward pass play in which a forward pass crosses the neutral zone is contact that interferes with a Team B eligible player. It is the responsibility of the offensive player to avoid the opponents.

    PENALTY: Pass interference by Team A: 15 yards from the previous spot.

    Thanks for the question.

    10/08/98 Question from Kevin - Does the NCAA use the "catchable pass" as a judgement in pass interference? Thanks.

    10/13/98 Answer from Don Shanks - Rule 2-19, Article 4: A catchable forward pass is an untouched legal forward pass beyond the neutral zone to an eligible Team A player who has a reasonable opportunity to catch the ball. When in question, a legal forward pass is catchable.

    Note: A catchable or non-catchable pass should not be a consideration when making a pass interference call. Thanks for the question.

    10/05/98 Question from Randall - Please explain the "celebration" penalty after a touchdown. What is the rule, and what is your opinion of the call on South Carolina's Zola Davis in the Ole Miss-South Carolina game last weekend? I have seen much worse displays which drew no penalties.

    10/11/98 Answer from Don Shanks - Rule 9-1-2: Non contact fouls

    Article 1-a-1(d). Unsportsmanlike Acts: Any delayed, excessive or prolonged act by which a player attempts to focus " attention upon himself ".

    PENALTY: 15 yards from the succeeding spot. Penalize as a dead-ball foul.

    NOTE: The NCAA believes that college football is a "team sport" played by student athletics. Each year they produce a game film that shows what is acceptable and non-acceptable behavior as far as celebration is concerned. The Southeastern Conference requires that all coaches and players review this film. Bobby Gaston, Coordinator of Football Officials, along with SEC game officials visit each school before the season starts and also review all rules and regulations. Before a game starts on Saturday each player and coach knows what the NCAA and Southeastern Conference expects.

    All SEC game officials use preventive mechanics before and during the game (i.e. talking to players and coaches, trying to "not have a celebration call"). Players are at times warned that their continued actions would constitute a penalty. I hope you can see that the SEC officials do everything that they can to prevent these type of call. Thanks for the question.

    09/25/98 Question from Andy - In the MSU game program there is a statement, and a PA announcement is made near the end of the game: "NCAA and Southeastern Conference regulations require that the playing field be cleared before, during and remain secured for 15 minutes following completions of today's game." Is there such a rule? What is the penalty for violating the rule? I saw the Tennessee fans storm the field Saturday night after the overtime win over Florida. Was there a penalty assessed against Tennessee or will one be assessed?

    Thank you Don.

    9/25/98 Additional Comments from Don Shanks - The SEC assigns an eight man crew for each home game. You have seven officials on the field and one on the clock, who is located on the sideline. In case of an injury the official on the clock could be asked to take the injured officials place. The Commissioner, Roy Kramer and the Coodinator of Football Officials, Bobby Gaston, assign the crews.

    The clock stops when a pass is incomplete. A pass is incomplete when it strikes the ground or is out of bounds by rule. All officials are responsible for signaling to stop the clock. The clock operator only stops the clock on the officials signal. Thanks for the question.

    09/17/98 Question from Andy - Last Saturday at the Liberty Bowl, just before the end of the half, MSU threw an incomplete pass. It appeared to me the ball hit the ground incomplete with 3 seconds on the clock. However, the clock kept running to 0:00. Rogers Redding and his SEC crew headed for the dressing room. Failure to stop the clock cost MSU a FG opportunity. This looked like the same type situation that occurred at the end of the 1998 Rose Bowl game. My questions are: during the regular season, who runs the clock? Is it an assigned SEC official or is it someone the home team hires? When does the clock stop after an incomplete pass? Which on-field official is responsible for signaling "stop the clock"?

    09/21/98 Answer from Don Shanks - In the SEC, the alternate official for the game is also the clock operator and is located on the sideline. For most other conferences, the clock operator is a school representative located in the press box. This was the case in Memphis. Technically, when the ball strikes anything that is out of bounds, (a player, coach, the ground, etc.) the ball is dead. The ruling official, closest to the play, is the one who usually signals to stop the clock. The back judge is responsible for time on the clock; he should know how much time is left or if time has expired. Hope this answers your question.

    09/01/98 - Hope all of you did well with the test. Here are the answers:

    1. PLAY: A's ball on B's 42, 4th and 13 with 12 seconds remaining in the 4th quarter. The score is A19-B21. A21 advances to B's 9 where he throws a backward pass out of bounds that crosses the sideline on B's 11. Three seconds remain on the clock.

    RULING: A21 commits a foul when he throws a backward pass out of bounds to conserve time. The penalty is enforced from the spot of the pass. After the penalty, Team A has earned a first down. A's ball on B's 14, 1st and 10. The clock will start on the ready for play.

    2. PLAY: A's ball on A 32, 4th and 14. Punter A8 muffs the high snap. B86 pushes A8 in the back on A's 12 as A8 is reaching down to recover the ball. B86 picks up the ball and advances to A's 6 where he is downed.

    RULING: The loose ball remains a backward pass. The advance by B86 is legal. A defensive player may use his hands or arms to push an opponent in the back to catch or recover a loose ball. A defensive player may not use his hands to pull an opponent to reach a loose ball. B's ball on A's 6, 1st and goal.

    3. PLAY: A's ball on B's 43, 3rd and 12 with twelve seconds remaining in the 4th quarter. The score is A12-B14. A43 advances to B's 4 where he pitches the ball forward when he is about to be tackled. A83 catches the ball in B's end zone.

    RULING: A 43 commits a foul when he throws the forward pass from beyond the neutral zone. Declination of the penalty results in a touchdown for team A. The penalty will be accepted and enforced from the spot of the foul.. A's ball on B's 9, 1st and goal. The clock starts on the ready for play.

    4. PLAY: A's ball on A's 8, 4th and 20. A's punt is partially blocked. The ball is muffed by B24 on A's 12 and the ball rolls into A's end zone. A5 recovers in A's end zone and advances to A's 32 where he is downed.

    RULING: The punt crossed the neutral zone since B24 touched the ball beyond the neutral zone. A team A player may recover but may not advance a kick. The ball became dead when recovered by A5 in A's end zone. Team A provided the impetus. Safety. Two points for Team B. A's ball on A's 20, free kick.

    5. PLAY: A's ball on B's 4, 4th and goal. A27 does not get control of QB A14's hand-off on B's7. The ball bounces into B's end zone where A27 recovers.

    RULING: Fumble by A14. A27 never had control of the ball until he recovered the ball in B's end zone. A player cannot fumble unless he has the ball. It would be a touchdown if A14 recovered the ball in B's end zone. The ball is returned to the spot of the 4th down fumble. B's ball on B's 7, 1st and 10.

    I hope everybody did well. As you can see there can be a lot of situations that can happen on one play. This is why "all" of the officiating crew has to know the rules and communicate with each other during the entire game. You can work a great game for 58 minutes and blow it all in the last two minutes with a lapse in concentration.

    By the way, if you got all 5 correct, you might look into becoming an official. We are always looking for a few good men, or ladies.

    08/26/98 Test from Don Shanks: OK Guys! The football season is near. You can't start a season without a "test"! So, I put together a few questions for you to take a shot at answering. I'll follow up with answers in a few days. Good luck!

    1. PLAY: A's ball on B's 42, 4th and 13 with 12 seconds remaining in the 4th quarter. The score is A19-B21. A21 advances to B's 9 where he throws a backward pass out of bounds that crosses the sideline on B's 11. Three seconds remain on the clock.

    RULING: _________ball on _____ ______,_______down and __________.

    2. PLAY: A's ball on A 32, 4th and 14. Punter A8 muffs the high snap. B86 pushes A8 in the back on A's 12 as A8 is reaching down to recover the ball. B86 picks up the ball and advances to A's 6 where he is downed.

    RULING: __________ball on____ _____,_________down and___________.

    3. PLAY: A's ball on B's 43, 3rd and 12 with twelve seconds remaining in the 4th quarter. The score is A12-B14. A43 advances to B's 4 where he pitches the ball forward when he is about to be tackled. A83 catches the ball in B's end zone.

    RULING:___________ball on____ _______,_______down and___________.

    4. PLAY: A's ball on A's 8, 4th and 20. A's punt is partially blocked. The ball is muffed by B24 on A's 12 and the ball rolls into A's end zone. A5 recovers in A's end zone and advances to A's 32 where he is downed.

    RULING:__________ball on______ _____,_______down and ___________.

    5. PLAY: A's ball on B's 4, 4th and goal. A27 does not get control of QB A14's hand-off on B's7. The ball bounces into B's end zone where A27 recovers.

    RULING:___________ball on_____ _________,_________down and___________.

    08/25/98 Question From Gene - I am a wingman on a 5-man crew, and my question is: On plays inside the ten going in, should the wing go immediately to the EZ and work back up, or only on plays inside the 5 going in should the wing go directly to the EZ? Or is it a personal decision ( being comfortable, etc..).

    08/26/98 Answer from Don Shanks - Ten yards out you should have help from either the sj or fj. 5 to 7 yards is where you are responsible for the goal line. This would depend on what your supervisor or association wants you to be responsible for. But, it is important that you and your deep official communicate with other, because one of you has to be there!

    08/23/98 Question from Patrick - At the end of the half (with the clock having 2 seconds remaining when TD was scored), a live ball play results in A scoring a touchdown. During the play, A commits a foul and B accepts the penalty. After the penalty administration when does the clock start?

    08/26/98 Answer from Don Shanks - The clock will start on the snap. The TD is what stopped the clock, not the penalty. A good rule of thumb to remember is why was the clock stopped and when would it be started on the next play. Also, there are some exceptions to the rule, like throwing the ball out of bounds to conserve time.

    08/21/98 - What yard line is the ball placed on for an extra point and for a two-point conversion?

    08/23/98 Answer from Don - The ball is placed on the 3 yard line for all tries. If a team is going to go for 2 points, they can ask to have the ball moved to either the right or left hash mark, but it is still from the 3 yard line.

    08/10/98 - The following is a list of some of the changes that you may see for the 1998 football season:

    1- All squad members are required to wear socks that are identical in color, design and length.
    2- Eye shields, if worn, must be clear (transparent) and made from molded and rigid material.
    3- All passes thrown to conserve time will be penalized from the spot of the foul.
    4- Ball remains live when backward pass is recovered by the defense.
    5- A fumble out of bounds behind a goal line is a touchback or safety.
    6- All passes thrown to conserve time will be penalized from the spot of the foul.
    7- Delete loss of down from illegal touching of a forward pass by the offense.

    When I get a chance I will explain the rules with play situations.

    01/09/98 Question from Pat - With the season just over it may be difficult to answer my question, but here goes. With the questionable ending to the Rose Bowl and what seems to be multiple, multiple missed calls during the season, do you feel that the quality of officiating in the SEC for 1997 has declined?

    01/10/98 Answer from Don Shanks - Good question! But, a loaded question. It's one that is debated every year and will continue to be debated as long as we play the game. I told Gene when I agreed to do the column, that I would cover rules and penalties of the game.

    I have no problem talking with any of you about what goes on in the SEC. It's been a part of my life since my playing days in the SEC in the 1960's and has continued when I started officiating in the 1970's. But, it's not something that is discussed on the internet. So, give me a call.

    Don's email address is listed above. Contact him and I'm sure he would be willing to give you his telephone number - Gene.

    01/02/98 Question from Johnny - I noticed in the Alamo Bowl that OSU had 4 players that shared 2 numbers. The announcers said that this was legal as long as no two players that had the same number were on the field at the same time. It would seem that this could be used as a deception tool similar to an illegal substitution to confuse the other team. I'm sure that Ryan Leaf would alter his receiver selection if he looked over the defense and saw Charles Woodsons' number not knowing for sure if Woodson was on the sideline. Are there any special rules to cover this?

    01/04/98 Answer by Don Shanks - Rule 1/4-Article 2c. No two players of the same team shall participate in the same down wearing identical numbers. Penalty- Live-ball foul. Five yards from the previous spot.

    2e. Numbers shall not be changed during the game to deceive opponents. Penalty-Live-ball foul, 15 yards from the previous spot. Flagrant offenders shall be disqualified.

    FOOTBALL CODE: One of the first things the NCAA rules book covers is COACHING ETHICS! If you believe in the "American way of life", then we have to believe that coaches would not deliberately teach players to violate the rules.

    This document was created using FlexED