What is intentional grounding?

Intentional grounding, in the context of American football, is a deliberate act by the offensive team to surrender possession of the ball to the opposing team. It's a strategic play used primarily in the following situations:

• To stop the clock: With very little time remaining in a half, or the game, the offense might intentionally ground the ball (usually a quarterback throwing the ball directly into the ground) to avoid a potential turnover and run out the clock. The clock stops when the ball hits the ground. This prevents the opposing team from getting the ball back and potentially scoring.

• To avoid a negative play: If the offense is facing a difficult fourth down situation and the chance of making a first down is slim to none, or if the team is already behind by a significant amount, intentionally grounding the ball and giving the other team possession can prevent a turnover on downs or a sack resulting in a significant loss of yardage.

• To avoid a safety: If the offense is deep in their own territory and facing a high probability of a safety, intentionally grounding the ball might be the lesser of two evils. A safety results in two points for the opposition and better field position.

How it works: The quarterback must throw a pass, but it must not be caught by a receiver, and it must hit the ground within bounds. Penalties can result if the intended action isn't clearly intentional grounding. A referee will call it if it seems like the quarterback was merely trying to avoid a sack or had a different intention, rather than a deliberate grounding.

In summary: Intentional grounding is a calculated risk/reward decision made by the offensive team, sacrificing possession to prevent a worse outcome. The success of the play depends on the game situation, time remaining, and the referee's judgment.