NFL competition committee looks to change catch rule

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. The NFL’S catch rule would get less complicated if team owners approve recommendations from the powerful competition committee. One of the first orders of business when the league’s annual meetings begin Monday in Orlando, Florida, will be a proposal by the committee to clarify what is a catch.

The owners will be asked to vote on clarifications that eliminate parts of the rule involving a receiver going to the ground, and that also eliminate negating a catch for slight movement of the ball while it is in the receiver’s possession.

Here’s what would constitute a catch if the owners approve the competition committee’s alterations: control of the ball; getting two feet down; performing a football act or; performing a third step.