Abstract: A fast-forward locking mechanism prevents fast-forwarding of video tape cassettes through commercials or special announcements. The locking mechanism includes a locking pin or arm attached to a pay out reel that extends to catch edges of projections preexisting along an inner periphery of the video cassette casing next to the pay out reel. Centripetal acceleration generated by the rotational velocity of the pay out reel in excess of a maximum permitted rotational velocity during normal tape play speeds of the video tape cassette extends the pin or pivoting member. Once the pin or pivoting member is extended, the tape tenses as it being pulled by a take up reel. The video cassette player/recorder senses the tensed tape and turns off the motor driving the take up reel. The pin is retracted by either reversing the direction of the pay out reel or by a biasing spring. Projections for catching the extended pin or arm are molded into the video cassette casing near the pay-out reel's periphery.