Inentionally grounding the ball within the pocket by the QB results in a stoppage of the clock, an intentional grounding penalty, a loss of down and a ten yard penalty.
Yet when the QB spikes the ball to stop the clock near the end of the game, they are only given the loss of down and not the ten yard penalty.
Is this just an unwritten rule? And how long has it been acceptable to spike the ball at the line?
I think the key might be that the spiking is not performed to avoid a sack.
No, the rule is written. I’ve never seen a good place to cite NFL rules online, but this spike rule is definitely in stone.
It’s fairly new … IIRC, it’s been in place for less than ten years. The spike maneuver replaces the ol’ throw-it-out-of-bounds routine QBs used to do to stop the clock.
I think lieu has it. From Digest of Rules: Intentional Grounding of Forward Pass :
From this I would assume that spiking the ball immediately upon the snap fails the first test of this rule…they are not facing an imminent loss of yardage due to pressure from the defense.
You are correct but the rule still stinks. I’d like to see that one reversed and make them throw it out of bounds again. And move the hash marks back where the college game has it. And make them rekick out of bounds kickoffs instead of spotting it at the 35.
I’m pretty sure it’s written, too. But like bordelond said, comprehensive online NFL rules don’t seem to exist. I’ve seen it written in an article or two and I’m working on finding it again…
Actually, in the NFL, a kickoff out of bounds gets placed at the 40 instead of the 35. The rule is that the ball gets placed 30 yards from where it was kicked.
Spiking the ball to stop the clock exists at all levels of football now, so I don’t foresee any change in the rules. For one thing, it took a lot of guesswork out of the intentional grounding call, which is a good thing.
I actually like this rule. As I understand it (from discussions stemming from the Giants debacle) the QB must be under center in order for the spike to be allowable. We all know that they’re trying to stop the clock, why force them to conduct a phony pass to acheive it? Just let them stop the clock and move on with the real action. They put enough structure around the play so it maintains the integrity of the game, but allow the game to keep moving.
I contrast this with MLB’s silly intentional walk rule. The dozing spectators are forced to watch 4 irrelevant pitches rather than just letting the batter go to first. Sure, something can happen during those pitches, but I’d much rather games be decided based on good game play rather than stupid mistakes. Just send Bonds to first and get on with the game.
No way. The college hashmarks are ridiculous, and should have been moved in when they narrowed the goalposts.
NFL hashmarks are 70’ 9" from the sidelines. This makes them line up with each upright.
College hashmarks are 60’ from the sidelines. They used to be about 7 feet further out.
Except I’ve seen Quarterbacks drop back a few steps before spiking, last weekend in fact I think someone did it…Mike Vick? I don’t know. I’m just afraid of the rule widening and widening.
J
It’s not a question of where they have to be when they throw, it’s where they lineup. The quarterback has to take the snap from under center, so shotgun formations, placekick holders, etc. aren’t eligible.
I don’t know what the standard is for how soon they have to spike the ball … but I’m sure that once they’re looking at a blitzing safety two feet away, it’s way too late. 
I don’t foresee any widening-the rule has a clear application, which is exactly what Cheesesteak was talking about-skipping otherwise pointless actions.
The NFL is pretty good about not allowing such slippery slopes to occur.
Unlike MLB which has a 100 year record of just drifting along.
But why go through the trouble of lining up? Why not have the QB go up to the ref and say “Excuse me sir, I would like to trade 1 down for 1 timeout” (OK, it’s not actually a TO, just stopping the clock.)
Ask the Miami Dolphins.
Since you have to line up and get set, you still have to use up some time. Spiking the ball (clocking the ball in official-speak) is designed to be a desperation maneuver.
As for some players taking a step or two back before they spike the ball, that’s probably to ensure they don’t hit the center in the ass with the ball and possibly lead to an interception.
… or a lost ball.
Another reason for making the offense line up is that an unwary opponent can sometimes get caught assuming the spike and the QB can complete a real pass. Dan Marino did this to win a game, IIRC. Makes things more interesting, since there is the chance that it will be a real play.
Would that play be reviewable by the replay official? 
Spiking the ball is a way of running a legitimate play.
The teams lined up, the ball was snapped and the QB accepted an incomplete pass, of his own accord, that was certainly not intentional grounding to avoid a sack.
It’s just a legit play, confused by rules that make it seem like the rule dictates the play can exist, when the play is just legit and the rules keep it separate from other plays that aren’t in the spirit of the game:
If anything, the specifics of the spike rule exist as to preserve the other rules regarding grounding, where the QB chucks the ball to avoid a sack (wherein the QB must be outta the pocket and the ball must be thrown at least to the line of scrimmage for it to be legit).