Quote:
Originally posted by Ed Hickland
Consider this A32 attempts to hand the ball forward to A78. Rather than a muff immediately, A78 tips the ball up in the air, one, two or three times before he controls it five yards downfield.
I know several chose fumble and according to the definition it could be but it could also be forward handing. That is why there are interpreters.
If you consider my scenario, the observing official should flag the illegal handing at the point where A32 released the ball.
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This in fact is a violation of rule 7-3-3, because the handing contains both tenets of 2-19-1 -> transfer of player possession, and ball in contact with two players. Player possession was probably established when A78 began tipping the ball, and definitely when he caught it (Rule 2-32-1 "A ball in player possession is a live ball held or controlled by a player after it has been handed or snapped to him, or after he has caught or recovered it."). Had the ball been grounded, rule 2-18-1 is invoked: "A fumble is any loss of player possession other than by handing, passing, or legal kick".
If player possession IS NOT transferred, there can be NO Handing. If there is no Handing, there can be NO Forward handing. No penalty.
I do agree with Ed in one respect. This should be more closely addressed by the rules people at NFHS.