[Theisey]

When are you going to suck it up and realize that some of your rulings are incorrect. Then grow up and stop these childish posting.

Originally posted by Derock1986

Tackling the pitch man on an option run.
rule book says you can't tackle a player who is not a runner or pretending to be a runner. Game sense tells me that the pitch man on an option run IS a runner. The pitchman is perhaps a greater run threat than the QB who has the ball. To me, this is no difference than waiting for the QB to hand the RB the ball. No call.

First of all, what is the definition of a RUNNER? Do you really know? You have to know in order to apply a rule in real situaions. Here is the definition: "A Runner is a player who is in possession of a live ball or is simulating possession of a live ball".
A pitchman is therefore NOT a runner. He does not have the ball nor is he simulating that he has the ball. At most, is is waiting for the ball to possibly come his way.

Tripping the runner.
rule book says you can trip the runner with your feet. Intentionally tripping ANYONE with your feet has to be a foul. Game sense tells me that if the intentional use of your feet to tackle was aloud, then kicking or even drop kicking would also be permissable (whatever it takes to get the runner down right, even use your tongue if you can--WRONG! Your tongue belongs in your mouth just as your feet belong on the ground). The use of your feet to tackle is a form of poor sportsmanship and has no place in football. I have NEVER seen this form of tackling practiced or allowed at ANY LEVEL!

The definition of tripping is "Tripping is the use of the lower leg or foot to obstruct an opponent, who is not the runner, below the knee".
So, by translating that to a runner, you have to imply that the tripping of a runner is allowed. if is were not, the defintion would have stated that.
Tripping is a form of tackling. So back to the definitions. What is a tackle? "Tackling is the use of hands, arms, legs or body by a defensive player in his attempt to hold a runner or to bring him to the ground".
Tripping is allowed, tackling is allowed however, it is not a blanket permit to do what you anything want to a runner. Striking at a runner with your leg or legs is NOT, I repeat NOT allowed because by definiton that would be a personal foul and considered a fighting act.

There is a huge different between tripping and kicking at a runner. If you don't recognize this, well, maybe you should just re-read some of the rules some more. Or better yet, have a sit down session with some of your more experienced officials in your organiztion. You are a member of a football officials organization right?

If you don't understand these definitions, then I and others cannot help you.