Quote:
Originally Posted by bisonlj
Other than the trip, I don't know what they did that was illegal. They were standing in an area they are allowed to stand. I know their intent is to make it harder for the gunner to get by but they were standing there legally.
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For every action there is inevitably a reaction. When the receiving team gradually has pushed the "gunners" to pin them to the sideline, the gunners have krept over the sideline using OOB to counteract being pinned. As the use of OOB has steadly increased and players "forced" OOB take longer and longer to get back in bounds, it's no surprise teams try and limit the room outside the sideline for the gunners umimpeded movement.
The receiving team players are prohibited from legally contacting a player who is OOB, and where gunners are perceived as abusing the privlege of getting back in bounds after being "forced" OOB. The space outside the sideline, beyond the restraining line, within the designated "Team Box" belongs to the team on that sideline and the substitutes have a right to be there.