When the QB spikes the ball late in the game or “clocks it” to stop the clock (usually without timeouts remaining or after a converted first down) how is that not a penalty for intentional grounding?
In: Other
It’s specifically exempted in the rules as long as the ball is spiked immediately following the snap, without any delay or opportunity to pass the ball.
Rule 8, Section 2
…
Item 3
Stopping Clock. A player under center is permitted to stop the game clock legally to save time if, immediately upon receiving the snap, he begins a continuous throwing motion and throws the ball directly into the ground.
Item 4
Delayed Spike. A passer, after delaying his passing action for strategic purposes, is prohibited from throwing the ball to the ground in front of him, even though he is under no pressure from defensive rusher(s).
https://operations.nfl.com/the-rules/nfl-video-rulebook/intentional-grounding/
It’s explicitly allowed in the rules. To do it without it being intentional grounding, you have to be under center (not in the shotgun formation), and the QB has to perform the spike immediately after the snap in a continuous movement while the clock is running. Otherwise, it’s intentional grounding.
Spiking the ball immediately after the snap is explicitly excluded from the definition of intentional grounding: https://operations.nfl.com/the-rules/nfl-video-rulebook/intentional-grounding/
It’s all about timing. If the QB were to take the snap, and start scanning for eligible receivers, not find any or choose not to throw and Then spike the ball, that would be intentional grounding. The rules state “A player under center is permitted to stop the game clock legally to save time if, immediately upon receiving the snap, he begins a continuous throwing motion…” – so the ball gets snapped and he immediately spikes it forward into the ground = no problem.
As an ELI5 answer: They decided to make it a special rule. The idea being that you have to hike the ball from under the center once everyone is set. It is still recorded as an incomplete pass.
Part of intentional grounding is the QB being under pressure. With an immediate spike, the QB is not under pressure so no grounding.
That’s why sometimes you see a QB throwing to an empty space in a clean pocket because the WR ran the wrong route. No pressure = no grounding.
Latest Answers