Is pass interference always waived on a tipped pass?

[gindie]

What if the contact occurs while the ball is in the air, but before it is tipped?

[Bobref]

9 hours ago, gindie said:

What if the contact occurs while the ball is in the air, but before it is tipped?

If the “tip” occurs after the contact that is judged to be interference, strictly speaking, it is theoretically possible to still have DPI. But keep in mind one of the elements of pass interference is that the receiver is prevented from making a play on the ball by the interference. If the “tip” causes the ball to be off target so the receiver could not have made a play on it even without the interference, it’s no foul. Also keep in mind that defensive PI restrictions do not begin until the pass is in the air.

[JustRules]

I'll also add the location of the tip is also important. If it's near the location of the receiver it doesn't absolve the defender of their PI action. Tips usually happen at or behind the NZ, but it could be somewhere mid-route if it's a low pass.

[cloudofdust]

23 hours ago, Bobref said:

If the “tip” occurs after the contact that is judged to be interference, strictly speaking, it is theoretically possible to still have DPI. But keep in mind one of the elements of pass interference is that the receiver is prevented from making a play on the ball by the interference. If the “tip” causes the ball to be off target so the receiver could not have made a play on it even without the interference, it’s no foul. Also keep in mind that defensive PI restrictions do not begin until the pass is in the air.

This brings up a question. Is there such thing as "uncatchable" in HS. I've heard coaches plead for no DPI due to a ball being thrown to far, to high or out of bounds.

The general reasoning is, that is not a thing in HS and the DPI sticks.

I've just assumed the official uses their best judgement to determine whether or not the contact would have prevented them from making an attempt and if the ball is that far out the flag stays tucked.

Now, obviously, if a C tackles a WR running down field that's a flag no matter what.

[Bobref]

1 hour ago, cloudofdust said:

This brings up a question. Is there such thing as "uncatchable" in HS. I've heard coaches plead for no DPI due to a ball being thrown to far, to high or out of bounds.

The general reasoning is, that is not a thing in HS and the DPI sticks.

I've just assumed the official uses their best judgement to determine whether or not the contact would have prevented them from making an attempt and if the ball is that far out the flag stays tucked.

Now, obviously, if a C tackles a WR running down field that's a flag no matter what.

There is no explicit “uncatchable” exception in the NF code as appears in the rules at other levels. Some people - even a few officials - believe that this means you should call DPI on a ball that is clearly not catchable. Nothing could be further from the truth. The prohibition against pass interference is designed to give the receiver an unimpeded opportunity to catch the football. If he can’t catch it because it’s overthrown, or out of bounds, then he has not been deprived of that opportunity. Pass interference should not be called when the pass is uncatchable.

[cloudofdust]

48 minutes ago, Bobref said:

There is no explicit “uncatchable” exception in the NF code as appears in the rules at other levels. Some people - even a few officials - believe that this means you should call DPI on a ball that is clearly not catchable. Nothing could be further from the truth. The prohibition against pass interference is designed to give the receiver an unimpeded opportunity to catch the football. If he can’t catch it because it’s overthrown, or out of bounds, then he has not been deprived of that opportunity. Pass interference should not be called when the pass is uncatchable.

This is very helpful in understanding how the rule should be interpreted.

Thank you

[US31]

Does a tipped ball negate defensive holding on a reciever?  

[Bobref]

3 hours ago, US31 said:

Does a tipped ball negate defensive holding on a reciever?  

No.

[JustRules]

I'd also like to add "uncatchable" in the NFL and NCAA do not use the Webster definition of uncatchable. By philosophy it's really NOT catchable. For the HS eqivaletnt it would be a pass that lands on the track or 20 yards over the receiver's head. The Colts game Sunday is a good example. In order for that to be ruled uncatchable it likely needed to be thrown away in the stands. Steratore had a great explanation on the broadcast. It could definitely be discussed, but that was probably still too close to be considered uncatchable. Passing on a DPI in HS is going to more involve a pass thrown to a completely different receiver outside the area of the pass.