Take on Horse collar

[VA Official]

Originally Posted by Refsmitty

Association meeting last night - they were showing one of training tapes and plays put together by Bill LeMonnier.

Runner is grabbed by the pads - swung all the way around in a 360 - and then falls forward in his original direction and goes down with the ball.

I tend to read rules to literally but by rule this is not a horse collar tackle IMO... but I also know everyone in the stadium will be screaming.

It was a good debate but no concensous - what would you call?

Horse collar tackles were made illegal to prevent injuries that these types of tackles cause, particularly knee/leg injuries. If the runner falls forward, there's no risk of these type of injuries. That's why the rule specifies backwards or sideways. Legal play per the rule, as Rich said.