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Interesting stuff, I have to admit. It's kinda crazy that we
have to get caught up in the semantics of definitions rather
than ruling on the intent of an action. Clearly, A32 was
attempting to do something illegal.
Would you not eject a player for taking a swing at an
opponent, but missed? Hell, I'd be tempted to dart someone
for a blatant, but failed, attempt at tripping a potential
tackler. But, how far can you extrapolate throwing flags for
failed attempts at doing something illegal? You can't
throw a flag for illegal kick if a player tried to kick a
grounded ball and missed. So, we're back to being safe and
relying on parsing the defintions.
So, Ed, I respectfully challenge your call from above,
especially, since your situation fails the definition of
handing on two fronts:
1. There was no "transfer" of player possession but a
loss of player possession in which a loose ball ensued
(fumble)
2. Even if we deemed that the ensuing loose ball
recovered by anyone was a "transfer" of player possession,
the transfer was not "from one player to a teammate" (from
definition 2-19-1). I would think that even if A32 forward
handed cleanly to B56, that would not be an illegal action
(not too bright of an action, though).
I do agree that the touching part of the definition was
satisfied.
Thanks Theisy for the corroboratory sources.
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