Take on Horse collar

[CT1]

If the purpose of the rule is player safety, why does it matter where the defender grabs the runner?

[OKREF]

Originally Posted by CT1

If the purpose of the rule is player safety, why does it matter where the defender grabs the runner?

Because the rule says that a player must grab the inside of the jersey or pads.

[CT1]

Originally Posted by OKREF

Because the rule says that a player must grab the inside of the jersey or pads.

I understand that. I'm just trying to figure out why the rule wasn't written to cover any instance where the runner is forcibly jerked down backwards.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by CT1

I understand that. I'm just trying to figure out why the rule wasn't written to cover any instance where the runner is forcibly jerked down backwards.

Then you would have inconsistency in the rule and application.

Peace

[CT1]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Then you would have inconsistency in the rule and application.

Peace

Yeah. Like that never happens. Like we never have to make any judgment calls.

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Then you would have inconsistency in the rule and application.

I think you'd have more consistency, because then it'd be one less thing to need to see closely. Just hand or hands "up there", and resulting backwards jerk of the body.

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

I think you'd have more consistency, because then it'd be one less thing to need to see closely. Just hand or hands "up there", and resulting backwards jerk of the body.

Can you just imagine the variables, confusion and arguments about the "meaning of" either, "jerked down backwards" or "backwards jerk of the body"

The rule, as written, is pretty clear to anyone who wants to understand it's purpose, as it applies to BOTH teams EQUALLY.

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by ajmc

Can you just imagine the variables, confusion and arguments about the "meaning of" either, "jerked down backwards" or "backwards jerk of the body"

I don't imagine there'd be much of that uncertainty, because it's a rare event. It's really hard to pull someone down backwards from behind unless you have a really great grip & are dug in pretty well yourself. If you have such a great grip, who cares how you got it?

Seems like the same way they extended grabbing the face mask to grabbing any helmet opening, horse collar should go similarly. If the object is to protect the neck, what difference does it make what part of the helmet was grabbed? If the object is to protect the knees, what difference does it make how the player was collared?

[asdf]

Originally Posted by CT1

If the purpose of the rule is player safety, why does it matter where the defender grabs the runner?

Because by grabbing inside the jersey creates more leverage for the defender and allows him/her to pull at a more sudden and greater force than if just the jersey was pulled.

Combine that with pulling from the top is easier and more violent than pulling from the mid back area, and you have the foundation for a horse collar foul.