TFL Weekly Rule Focus - Dump Pass

Alex Smith- master of the dump pass

I thought I would focus on a very controversial rule, the Dump Pass.  I think a lot of disdain over this rule is a lack of understanding or why it is important.  The Dump Pass provides an advantage to teams with strong offensive lines and a skilled wide receiving core.  It provides a disadvantage to defensives that have a lack of pass rush and a disadvantage to a defense who keeps players in flats.  In strategy terms, it is more advantageous on defense to rush or double team with your linebackers on short and long passes by an offense than to keep them in flat pass.  To me this is the real chess match on 3rd down as it requires the defense to make a number of choices, instead of just leaving their players in the same positions.  I think those that keep their players in the same positions are the most miffed by this rule as they think their defensive players play an effect on the play.  As the rules illustrate below A dump-off pass will always use the "0-men" column in the flat column of the Defense card and the Right column on the offensive player’s card.  

DUMP-OFF PASSES Whenever a “D” is rolled on the black die for short or long passes, and the Defense calls “Pass”,  if no sack occurs then the QB is flushed out of the pocket. 

When a QB is flushed from the pocket one of four things will happen.  Either he will be forced to run, he will force a bad throw (interception), he will scramble and complete a pass to the intended receiver or he will throw a dump-off pass to another receiver.  To see which result occurs, roll the white and red dice again and consult the appropriate card (Quarterback or team defense card) in the normal fashion.  If a split occurs roll to see which reading is used.  However, if a “receiver” reading occurs do not roll on the receiver’s card.  If a “Must Run” or an interception occurs then accept that result – the play is over. In addition, if a completion occurs directly on  the Quarterback’s card then accept that result – the play is over.   However, if any other reading occurs (such as a completion from the defense card, an incomplete pass or a “receiver” reading) ignore the play result – the Quarterback must throw a dump-off pass to a randomly selected receiver.    

A dump-off pass will always use the "0-men" column in the flat column of the Defense card and the Right column on the offensive player’s card.  Roll the white and red dice again and refer to the “Dump Off” chart to determine the target of the dump-off pass.  If the player indicated on the Dump Off chart was the primary receiver, or if he is double-teamed or he is not in the formation being used, then use the Alternate List to determine which receiver gets the dump-off (choose the first player on the list who is in the formation, and  was not the primary target and not double-teamed).  The white die indicates which zone the dump-off is thrown to: 1-2: left flat zone, 3-4: lookin zone, 5-6 right flat zone.  Once the receiver and location have been determined, re-roll all three dice and refer to the proper flat pass column to determine the result of the dump-off pass.  EXCEPTION: In the last 30-seconds of each half never refer to the Dump Off chart.  Instead follow normal short or long pass rules to determine the outcome of the pass (remember, to use the "0-men" column in the flat column of the Defense card and the Right column on the offensive player’s card).   NOTES: This rule does not apply unless a “D” is initially rolled on the black die.  In other words, when using a safety blitz and a blank is rolled on the black die you would check for the sack but you would not use the Dump Off Rules.  This rule also does not apply when the offensive team is inside the 10-yard line.