![Referees have a brief discussion during the 2021 Finals at Ford Field.](/sites/default/files/2022-08/220823_referee_2H.jpg)
Be the Referee: Intentional Grounding Change
By
Sam Davis
MHSAA Director of Officials
August 23, 2022
Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.
Below is this week's segment – Intentional Grounding Change - Listen
New this year in football is a change to intentional grounding.
What’s staying the same? A quarterback in the free block zone – who throws a pass to an area with no receiver nearby – will continue to be flagged for intentional grounding. That’s a five-yard penalty and loss of down.
So what’s different? Now … a quarterback outside of the free blocking zone can legally throw the ball away as long as the pass lands past the original line of scrimmage. This used to be flagged for grounding, but is now legal.
In fact, this rule doesn’t just pertain to the quarterback. Any passer, outside of the free blocking zone, can throw the ball away as long as it lands past the line of scrimmage.
STATE CHAMPS! Michigan: Extra Point Playoffs Week 4
November 18, 2022
1:30 - Rochester Adams vs. Clarkston - Recap
4:02 - Groves vs. Livonia Franklin - Recap
5:43 - Detroit King vs. Brother Rice - Recap
7:40 - Semifinal Preview Part 1 (Division 8-5)
13:48 - Mr. Football Update
17:13 - DMC Gamechangers Update
20:18 - Detroit Athletic Club Athlete of the Year Promo
21:32 - Anvil Award Update
27:08 - 8-Player Finals Preview & Semifinal Preview Part (Division 4-1)
38:18 - Cass Tech vs. Belleville - Game of the Week Preview