Simultaneous position

In American football, simultaneous possession occurs when two players—one from the offensive and one from the defense—catch and hold the ball simultaneously. To determine if there was simultaneous possession, there must be an ambiguity about who had possession of the ball initially. The last team in possession of the ball wins if two opposing players control it simultaneously and both keep it, as per NFL regulations.

A simultaneous catch or recovery in college football refers to a scenario in which opposing inbounds players share possession of the live ball. Moreover, the ball is deemed dead when rival players simultaneously control it, according to high school regulations established by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). When both players in control of the ball hit the ground inbounds and stay in control long enough to execute a move akin to a football play, this happens.

The particular outcomes can change based on the level of play (NFL, college, high school), but these regulations are in place to settle disagreements where both sides have a legitimate claim to the ball.