Will's You Make The Call #5

[WJMorris3]

In a game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, Mike Vanderjagt lines up for a 43-yard field goal. He kicks the ball through the uprights; however, after the ball clears the uprights, a strong gust of wind blows the ball backwards through the uprights, and it lands in the end zone.

Is the field goal good?

[Shmee]

I'm not taking the time to look it up, but I'm guessing that a field goal kick follows the same basic principles as a player carrying the ball: forward progress says that once you're in, you're in.

Kick is good, give Mike another three points.

[slapshot]

Based on NCAA rules, yes, the field goal would count.

The field goal area (above crossbar, between uprights) is treated as a line, not a plane. The ball has to completely past the plane of the goal posts to count.

This is different from a kick that goes over the top of the goal post. In this case, as long as part of the ball goes inside the plane of the goal post, the score would count.

[Saintsfan]

I would say the field goal is good to. The field goal doesn't have to touch the ground to count (Like 90% of kicks hit the back netting after all) so I say count it.

[WJMorris3]

Believe it or not, it depends on whether it hits something first.

If it strikes the back netting, or the goalpost behind the line, or the ground, or what have you and then bounces back through, then it's good.

If it strikes nothing, it's no good.

(Granted, my copy of of the NFL rule book is 10 years old - time to go to B&N and get a new one.)

[wheateater]

Holy plop, that must've been one hell of a strong "breeze"...