This was a very good thread. Hopefully it will develop into a Rule change proposal for consideration by the NFHS Football Committee in January of 2010.
JimD, BobM and others have provided some positive comments and sound reasoning for the committee to consider closing this loophole.
However, that being said, until such time as the Committee changes the current rule
This play is legal and the interpretation in the Redding Guide IS correct! Under the current NFHS Rules this player is
NOT (by rule) out of bounds. Additionally, for an official to manufacture an interpretation other than the current Redding Interpretation would be erroniuos and would
NOT be supported by rule.
Many comments on this and another forums thread's have used words like untenable, illogical, sensible, common sense, spirit of the rules, gut feel, ect. These are all great words and thoughts however, the one problem is again, currently, there is no rule support for a ruling in this situation other than
"Legal Play!"
Do I like it?
NO!
Do I support it?
YES! Of course, this play has rule book support and therefore it has to be legal!
To present a proposal for consideration to close this loophole (
as long as it is well thought and would not cause any unintended circumstances) likely would be good for the game. To fabricate ones own ruling on this (
or any other) situation would be foolhardy and a bit askew! Actions such as this by officials can
NEVER be in the best interest of the game.
Rule references for this situation would include:
2-4-1, 2-29-1, 2 & 3, 7-5-5, 9-6-1 & 2!
And,
Again, since the action, did
NOT violate any of the rules listed above, the play is currently, by rule,
"Legal!"
We are required to officiate the rules by the rulebook. Someone suggested implementing 1-1-6. Unfortunatly, this would be an incorrect application of 1-1-6. Why? Simply because 1-1-6 is for utilization when
a situation occurs that is not specifically covered in the rules. Like it or not, and as unfortunate as it may be, this situation
IS specifically covered by the current rules as, the player,
(by definition) is
NOT (as much as we want him to be) out of bounds.
