Why are players allowed to spike the football?

Answer 1

If you look at the formation for a spike, there is a tight end or running back within five yards of the QB, therefore it's not intentional grounding.

AnswerYou may want to check this, but I believe the definition of Intentional Grounding includes that the quarterback be at risk of being sacked and it is intentional grounding if done to avoid the sack. Because the quarterback is not under duress on a spike to stop the clock, it is not intentional grounding. Answeryes i checked it you are right heres why...

Intentional Grounding of Forward Pass

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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).

4. Intentional gounding will not be called when a screen pass is developing and the quarterback throws the ball in the vicinity of the screen receiver.

AnswerThe rule says, "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." When the QB spikes the ball he is not faced with a loss of yardage. The rule was phrased that way specifically so spiking the ball would not be against the rules.

Basically, You can only spike the ball INSTANTLY after the ball is snapped. Any later would count as grounding.

Answer 2

For intentional grounding to occur, the passer has to be making a deliberate effort to avoid an imminent loss of yardage, and there can be no eligible receiver in the vicinity. When a quarterback clocks the ball, neither scenario holds true.

If you think about it, spiking the ball carries its own built-in penalty: It causes the offense to burn one of its downs.