[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

First, I would like to thank Cameron, for looking up the appropriate Casebook Play for me, because I was too lazy to look it up for myself.

Second, since I have been lazy about this play, so let me play Devil's Advocate for a while.

Larks, quoted the first sentence of NFHS R10-S6-A1, which states: "A player shall not: hold, push, charge, trip; nor impede the progress of an opponent by extending an arm, shoulder, hip or knee, or by bending the body into other than a normal position; nor use any rough tactics."

I think that R4-S39 and R10-S6-A1 are the relevant rules that apply to this thread's play.


It is my opinion that A2, as long as met the requirements of R4-S39-A5, then his position on the floor is legal. While Camron's Casebook Play refers to a player who has fallen to the floor, while A2 in this thread's play intentionally went to the floor on all fours, I still believe his position on the floor is legal.

The next question is whether or not A2 is bending his body into other than a normal position. If A2 is standing on his feet, then a normal position would be standing in an upright position and to bend his body to the left or right or front or back from his vertical standing position and causes contact is a violation of R10-S6-A1. If A2 is on all fours, then he is in a normal position for a person being on all fours. From that position if A2 leans out of his vertical in any direction and causes contact then he has violated R10-S6-A1.

If A2 does not violate R4-S39-A5 and does not bend his body, then the part of R10-S6-A1 that I would apply to this play is that a player should not use rough tactics, and in my opinion this is a rough tactic. I would go as far as to say that A2's conduct could be considered a flagrant foul.

MTD, Sr.