fumble rules

Question
hello sir,

my question is:

if a QB (on an option play) pitch the ball to a RB and the RB doesn't have control of the ball and this ball come forward, the running is he allowed to recover it? and if yes where is the spot of the ball for the next play?

Answer
Durand,
Thank you for your question. Before I can give you an answer we must understand exactly what you are asking because you fact pattern is either an incomplete forward pass or it is a backward pass not in player possession that may be recovered by any player.  In your play it is an option play.  The QB "pitches" the ball to the Running Back (RB).  We consider the tern pitch to mean intentionally throwing the ball, therefore the QB passes the ball to the RB.  The RB does not control the ball, therefore there is not catch and the status of the ball remains a pass..  You state the "ball comes forward".  I assume you mean it was passed forward. Therefore it is a forward pass.  Once the forward pass touches the ground it is deemed an incomplete pass and the ball is dean.  The ball would then be returned to the previous spot and it would be the next down or if on a 4th down play the ball would be turned over to the defensive team on downs.

Assuming the ball was a backward pass, then the ball remains live, in play and the Running back is permitted to recover the ball and the ball is next put into play were the ball becomes dead in player possession.