Eli5: What are the pylons in the end of the endzone in american football for?

Question

I get what the ones on the goalline are for, but I cant figure out a realistic reason for the ones in the back.

Thanks if someone can explain!

Edit:
To clarify a bit what my „problem“ with the backpylon is I want to elaborate a bit:
Since it doesnt matter where the ball actually got caught, only where the feet land after it got caught to get a good catch. I wonder what the refs exactly looking for in the pylon.

If runner jumps to the edge of the goalline and pylon falls by being hit with the ball its clear. If the ref sees the pylon fall by being touched with the ball its a td.

But the falling pylon in the back of the endzone doesnt mean that necessarily.
The pylon could fall and the feet still land out of bounds, they could also be in bounds without the pylon falling at all.

Hope that could clarify a bit what i mean.

In: 0

Answer 1

Because of the forward pass, I’m basic terms. With the forward pass a receiver can catch the ball in the back of the end zone right at the absolute edge. It helps the refs/officials on reviewing the play determine whether or not the player made the catch in bounds.