Rule 2-22 says, “Hurdling is an attempt by a player to jump (hurdle) with one or both feet or knees foremost over an opponent who is contacting the ground with no part of his body except one or both feet.” This definition raises several questions:
- Why just “an attempt?” Is there supposed to be a difference between a player who “attempts” and one who is successful?
- If a player makes a superb athletic move and hurdles an opponent without even touching him, why is the penalty the same as if he had kicked, fought, struck an opponent out of bounds or any of the other acts listed as personal contact fouls?
- If a player doesn’t even contact an opponent, why is it “illegal personal contact?” It is not clipping if a player “attempts” to do so but whiffs. Nor is it blocking in the back if he “attempts” but whiffs.
See:
Hurdling.mov - YouTube