Rules Question

[FantasyMan13]

Shouldn't spiking the ball (to stop the clock) technically be considered intentional grounding? I guess it's a judgement call, but it seems like, if a QB is about to be sacked while still in the pocket, he could "spike" the ball and say argue he was trying to stop the clock. Can anyone explain this? (Bored as you can tell lol).

[buffalobillsrul2002]

I believe a part of the "intentional grounding" rule states that you can't throw the ball away to avoid a sack. Meaning that you can throw the ball away, as long as you aren't under pressure. When a QB spikes the ball, he is not "avoiding a sack", he is just trying to stop the clock.

[grover99]

You can only spike the ball immediatly(sp?) after taking the snap from under center. You can't spike the ball after a shotgun snap either.