ReadyRefThe call is clear
Open ReadyRef
Home / How-to videos / Is one foot in bounds a catch?
Settle the argument · 0:30

One foot in. Catch?

Under IFAF rules, yes: it’s a catch as long as the in-bounds foot lands first and you hold on all the way down. Here’s the call in 30 seconds.

Video poster: One foot in. Catch? Footprints at the sideline, a green check and a red X, and a cartoon referee.

Plays from YouTube when you press play.

Jump to

The call, step by step

  1. 0:04The verdict
  2. 0:10What makes it a catch
  3. 0:16When it’s no catch
Read the transcript

One foot in, one foot out. Catch, or no catch?

Under IFAF rules, it’s a catch, as long as the in-bounds foot lands first. Have the ball under control, touch down in bounds first, and hold on all the way down. That’s a catch.

Land on or over the sideline first, or lose the ball as you hit the ground, and it’s no catch.

Got another argument? Settle it at readyref.app/rules.

Good to know

  • It’s not a penalty either way. A catch that lands out of bounds first is simply an incomplete pass.
  • Any part of the body counts, not just a foot: the rule is the first touch of the ground, in bounds, with control (IFAF Rule 2-10-3).
  • Control through the landing. If the ball comes loose and hits the ground before the catch is finished, it’s incomplete.
  • These are IFAF rules. Your league may play NFL FLAG or its own house rules; check your league’s rulebook.

Next: can you lateral?

The hook and lateral is a classic trick play. In flag football, whether it’s legal depends on where the ball is.

Watch: Can you lateral? Subscribe on YouTube

The full answer · All how-to videos · All rules answers · Rules quiz