FB Endzone Pylons

[gerntz]

OK, I get there's a red/orange pylon in each of the four corners of both endzones & why.

But what's the purpose of the two pylons along side the goal post support about two yards beyond the back endzone line? To me, they look confusing as to where the back of the endzone is since they're not on that line & because I don't see a purpose to them. Yet they're there every game.

Also, when you touch a pylon, aren't you out-of-bounds since they are on the sideline which is out of bounds? But seems that typically when they're touched the playte is ruled inbounds.

Thanks.

[lighthouse]

I'm checking on the first part, but to answer your question about touching the pylon. If you touch the pylon first, you're out of bounds, but it would be hard to touch it on the inside and not be across the goaline inbounds.

I'll post the other when I get an answer.

[gerntz]

Thanks. I agree if it's the ball, but if the helmet, or the forward foot, I'd think you're out before scoring or perhaps having a pass completion.

[surveyor]

Thanks. I agree if it's the ball, but if the helmet, or the forward foot, I'd think you're out before scoring or perhaps having a pass completion.

If the ball breaks the plane of the goal line prior to the player making contact with the pylon, it's moot.

[gerntz]

If the ball breaks the plane of the goal line prior to the player making contact with the pylon, it's moot.


I was trying to describe situations where the ball hadn't done such.

[surveyor]

I was trying to describe situations where the ball hadn't done such.

Certainly.

I'm merely trying to imagine a scenario where that might even be possible. :thumbup:

[gerntz]

Certainly.

I'm merely trying to imagine a scenario where that might even be possible. :thumbup:

- the ball carrier is being tackled with his arms kept low, say near his waist, not ahead of him, and his hlemet leans forward into the pylon.

- carrier is running diagonal to the sideline with ball protected from the D (arriving from the endzone) in his outside arm & his forward stepping foot contacts pylon while the ball is still a yard/ 1-2-yd back at his body.

[lighthouse]

- the ball carrier is being tackled with his arms kept low, say near his waist, not ahead of him, and his hlemet leans forward into the pylon.

- carrier is running diagonal to the sideline with ball protected from the D (arriving from the endzone) in his outside arm & his forward stepping foot contacts pylon while the ball is still a yard/ 1-2-yd back at his body.

That's easy. The ball has to cross the goal line inbounds, to be a TD.

[lighthouse]

But what's the purpose of the two pylons along side the goal post support about two yards beyond the back endzone line? To me, they look confusing as to where the back of the endzone is since they're not on that line & because I don't see a purpose to them. Yet they're there every game.

I'm still waiting to hear from my SEC contact, but I spoke with an NFL official today, and he said he had no idea why those pylons were there because they serve no purpose. If I hear anything different, I'll post it.

[EricBigNally]

I'm glad this question was brought up. I had meant to ask the same question about the pylons behind the end zone. I got to thinking about it the other night since my seats are in the East End zone and kind of said out loud "what the hell are those there for" which sparked a wonderfully enlightening conversation of hypothetical situations in which nothing was made any clearer...

[lighthouse]

I think I have the answer about the pylons behind the endzone and to each side of the goalpost. If you look in the rule book at the diagram of the field, you will notice there is a restraining line arount the entire field, and it's 12 feet from the out of bounds line. On the sideline, it's to keep players and coaches away from the playing field so the officials and chain crew will have room to work. The pylons in question, are on that restraining line in the endzone to mark the line clearly. On the sideline by the benches, there are diagonal lines between the sideline and the restraining line because pylons would be in the way.

[gerntz]

I think I have the answer about the pylons behind the endzone and to each side of the goalpost. If you look in the rule book at the diagram of the field, you will notice there is a restraining line arount the entire field, and it's 12 feet from the out of bounds line. On the sideline, it's to keep players and coaches away from the playing field so the officials and chain crew will have room to work. The pylons in question, are on that restraining line in the endzone to mark the line clearly. On the sideline by the benches, there are diagonal lines between the sideline and the restraining line because pylons would be in the way.


The coaches' & players' sidelines restraining line from the field - the white area - aren't close to being 12' back from the field sideline. More like 3', 5' max.

[gerntz]

I'm glad this question was brought up. I had meant to ask the same question about the pylons behind the end zone. I got to thinking about it the other night since my seats are in the East End zone and kind of said out loud "what the hell are those there for" which sparked a wonderfully enlightening conversation of hypothetical situations in which nothing was made any clearer...


I can imagine how that discussion might have went. I'm laughing here thinking about it.

[lighthouse]

The coaches' & players' sidelines restraining line from the field - the white area - aren't close to being 12' back from the field sideline. More like 3', 5' max.

I know what you mean, but the rule book says 12'.

[Gilster]

Are you talking about the pylons that are on the hash marks in the back of te end zone. They are there to just emphasize the hash marks and represent a visual aid to the refs for placing the ball (like the hash marks on the field are not enough. I believe all pylons are placed in bounds. The back pylons are also a visual aid for the QB.

[lighthouse]

Are you talking about the pylons that are on the hash marks in the back of te end zone. They are there to just emphasize the hash marks and represent a visual aid to the refs for placing the ball (like the hash marks on the field are not enough. I believe all pylons are placed in bounds. The back pylons are also a visual aid for the QB.

The pylons asked about here are nowhere near inbounds.