Football Zebras video

The spike that wasn’t a spike, but still a foul

Published

9 years ago

October 5, 2015

Bears receiver Eddie Royal tossed the ball after the play and was assessed a 5-yard penalty for spiking the ball. Was this correct?

Related Topics:

Up Next

Did the Ravens have an illegal formation?

Don't Miss

Rule changes and points of emphasis highlighted in NFL training camp video

Ben Austro

Ben Austro is the editor and founder of Football Zebras and the author of So You Think You Know Football?: The Armchair Ref's Guide to the Official Rules (on sale now)

Football Zebras

The spike that wasn’t a spike, but still a foul

Football Zebras video

The spike that wasn’t a spike, but still a foul

2025 National Championship

Hochuli and Blakeman are the referees for the Conference Championships

Divisional playoff photo album, 2024

2024 AFC Divisional Playoff: Ravens at Bills

2024 NFC Divisional Playoff: Rams at Eagles

2024 NFC Divisional Playoff: Commanders at Lions

2024 AFC Divisional Playoff: Texans at Chiefs

Shawn Smith is likely to be named Super Bowl LIX referee

Subjectivity in officiating: sometimes either call can be supported

Divisional playoff officiating preview

ACC and Big 12 officiating crews draw the Semifinal assignments

NFL assigns officiating crews for the 2024-25 Wild Card Playoffs

Week 17 referee assignments

MIAA crew works Division II Championship

Martin, Torbert, Smith, and Cheffers are the Divisional Playoff referees

Week 18 referee assignments

SEC officiating crew assigned to the National Championship

Schedule for the 2024 NFL playoffs

Our playoff predictions: Hussey and Smith top our lists

How does the NFL assign mixed crews for the playoffs?

Rules review video: Targeting review, illegal touching by an ineligible number, and illegal motion

Rules review video: Kicking off from the 5, rushing the field, and the process of starting a replay review

Rules review video: Illegal kicking, scrimmage kick formation, and pull and shoot

Rule review video: Leaping and leverage, an unusual formation, and targeting

Rules review video: Fake field goal, leaping, and live-ball taunting

Rules review video: Early celebration, kick catch interference, and college expedited replays

Rules review video: Onside drop-kicks, spitting, and a center catching a touchdown

Rules review video: roughing vs. running into the kicker, brandishing a weapon, and a field goal off the light post

Rules review video: First-touch spots on punts, illegal batting, and a bench player on the field

Rules review video: Goal line extended, kicks over the uprights, and fumbles through the end zone

Latest Podcasts

Football Zebras

The spike that wasn’t a spike, but still a foul

You may like

2025 National Championship

Hochuli and Blakeman are the referees for the Conference Championships

Divisional playoff photo album, 2024

2024 AFC Divisional Playoff: Ravens at Bills

2024 NFC Divisional Playoff: Rams at Eagles

2024 NFC Divisional Playoff: Commanders at Lions

2024 AFC Divisional Playoff: Texans at Chiefs

Shawn Smith is likely to be named Super Bowl LIX referee

Subjectivity in officiating: sometimes either call can be supported

Divisional playoff officiating preview

ACC and Big 12 officiating crews draw the Semifinal assignments

NFL assigns officiating crews for the 2024-25 Wild Card Playoffs

Week 17 referee assignments

MIAA crew works Division II Championship

Martin, Torbert, Smith, and Cheffers are the Divisional Playoff referees

Week 18 referee assignments

SEC officiating crew assigned to the National Championship

Schedule for the 2024 NFL playoffs

Our playoff predictions: Hussey and Smith top our lists

How does the NFL assign mixed crews for the playoffs?

Rules review video: Targeting review, illegal touching by an ineligible number, and illegal motion

Rules review video: Kicking off from the 5, rushing the field, and the process of starting a replay review

Rules review video: Illegal kicking, scrimmage kick formation, and pull and shoot

Rule review video: Leaping and leverage, an unusual formation, and targeting

Rules review video: Fake field goal, leaping, and live-ball taunting

Rules review video: Early celebration, kick catch interference, and college expedited replays

Rules review video: Onside drop-kicks, spitting, and a center catching a touchdown

Rules review video: roughing vs. running into the kicker, brandishing a weapon, and a field goal off the light post

Rules review video: First-touch spots on punts, illegal batting, and a bench player on the field

Rules review video: Goal line extended, kicks over the uprights, and fumbles through the end zone

Latest Podcasts