How come spiking the football is not intentional grounding?

Michael: How come spiking the football is not intentional grounding?
I’ve watched football my whole life. No one I have ever asked, even football players, knows the answer to this. If intentional grounding occurs when the quarterback is not outside the tackle box, and does not throw it passed the line of scrimmage and/or near a receiver, then why are they allowed to snap the ball take a step back and spike the ball directly into the ground for time management. Is it some time rule or something else?

Answers and Views:

Answer by Robert
This rule was passed a few years ago so the QB con stop the clock when
they have no timeouts.

Answer by Dr. McNinja
“Intentional Grounding of Forward Pass
Intentional grounding of a forward pass is a foul: loss of down and 10 yards from previous spot if passer is in the field of play or loss of down at the spot of the foul if it occurs more than 10 yards behind the line or safety if passer is in his own end zone when ball is released.
Intentional grounding will be called when a passer, facing an imminent loss of yardage due to pressure from the defense, throws a forward pass without a realistic chance of completion.
Intentional grounding will not be called when a passer, while out of the pocket and facing an imminent loss of yardage, throws a pass that lands at or beyond the line of scrimmage, even if no offensive player(s) have a realistic chance to catch the ball (including if the ball lands out of bounds over the sideline or end line).

When the QB is spiking the ball he is doing it immediately after the snap. He is not “facing an imminent loss of yardage due to pressure from the defense” in this case.”

Answer by Jimm Powerz
Intentional grounding was made so that QB’s can’t just launch the football to an area where no players are to avoid a sack. Spiking the ball doesn’t prevent a sack, it just stops the clock. It is meant for a different reason.

Answer by Brian Scalabrine
Intentional grounding is only called when “facing an imminent loss of yardage due to pressure from the defense, throws a forward pass without a realistic chance of completion.”

When the ball is spiked immedietly following the snap, there is no risk of the quarterback being sacked, since the play ends well before any lineman can get the quarterback. Also, based on the formation of a spike, there is a tight end and a runningback within 5 yards of the quarterback which still considers the pass “completable”.

Answer by masybab02
cause spiking the ball or grounding the ball to stop the clock is accepted by the rules if the ball is grounded as it is when spiking it. the rule allows the team to make the most of their timeouts, especially if they have none, and it allows the team to fake a spike and catch the defence off guard, and make a big play. 🙂

Answer by Paulsfriend
Because eligible receivers back up and are close to where he spikes the ball so therefore it is considered a pass to a receiver.

Answer by tdogyo
its an official play.