NFL Video Rulebook Completing a Catch

Rule Summary View Official Rule

SECTION 1 - FORWARD PASS

ARTICLE 3. COMPLETED OR INTERCEPTED PASS

A player who makes a catch may advance the ball. A forward pass is complete (by the offense) or intercepted (by the defense) in the field of play, at the sideline, or in the end zone if a player, who is inbounds:

1. secures control of the ball in his hands or arms prior to the ball touching the ground; and
2. touches the ground inbounds with both feet or with any part of his body other than his hands; and
3. after (a) and (b) have been fulfilled, clearly performs any act common to the game (e.g., extend the ball forward, take an additional step, tuck the ball away and turn upfield, or avoid or ward off an opponent), or he maintains control of the ball long enough to do so.

Notes:

1. Movement of the ball does not automatically result in loss of control.
2. If a player, who satisfied (a) and (b), but has not satisfied (c), contacts the ground and loses control of the ball, it is an incomplete pass if the ball hits the ground before he regains control, or if he regains control out of bounds.
3. A receiver is considered a player in a defenseless posture (See Rule 12, Section 2, Article 9) throughout the entire process of the catch and until the player is capable of avoiding or warding off the impending contact of an opponent.
4. If a pass is caught simultaneously by two eligible opponents, and both players retain it, the ball belongs to the passers. It is not a simultaneous catch if a player gains control first and an opponent subsequently gains joint control. If the ball is muffed after simultaneous touching by two such players, all the players of the passing team become eligible to catch the loose ball.
5. If a player, who is in control of the ball, is held up and carried out of bounds by an opponent before both feet or any part of his body other than his hands touches the ground inbounds, it is a completed or intercepted pass. It is not necessary for the player to maintain control of the ball when he lands out of bounds.
6. If any part of the foot hits out of bounds during the normal continuous motion of taking a step (heel-toe or toe-heel) then the foot is out of A player is inbounds if he drags his foot, or if there is a delay between the heel-toe or toe-heel touching the ground.

ARTICLE 4. INCOMPLETE PASS

An incomplete pass is a loss of down, and the ball returns to the previous spot. Any forward pass (legal or illegal) is incomplete and the ball is dead immediately if:

1. The process of the catch in 8-1-3 is not completed;
2. The ball goes out of bounds; or
3. A player is the first to touch a pass after having been out of bounds, but prior to reestablishing himself inbounds with both feet or any body part other than his hands. There is not a foul for illegal touching.