Constantly Fouling One Player

[k-blue]

Is there any rule in HS (NFHS) that prevents a team from keying in on one player and fouling him every chance they get?

Did a game the other night and one team constantly fouled a player. He is one of the better athletes in the conference. They did it to keep him from making the plays that he normally makes.

Each time he would go out for a pass, as soon as he would make his cut, they would push him from behind. If he was away from the play and running down field, on offense or defense, or even on the punting team, they would foul him from behind.

We discuss it after the 1st qtr, and again at half and after the game, but could not find any reason to do anything other than throw a flag and mark off the yards.

Needless to say, the coach wasn't happy.

Teams play again this weekend for the Championship and would like to make sure we get it right.

Mark

[CT1]

I don't see how this tactic would help Team B. Assuming all these fouls are penalized, Team A would eventually score (or be awarded) a TD.

Also, if any of the individual fouls are deemed to be flagrant, the offender would be ejected.

[VA Official]

Originally Posted by k-blue

Is there any rule in HS (NFHS) that prevents a team from keying in on one player and fouling him every chance they get?

Did a game the other night and one team constantly fouled a player. He is one of the better athletes in the conference. They did it to keep him from making the plays that he normally makes.

Each time he would go out for a pass, as soon as he would make his cut, they would push him from behind. If he was away from the play and running down field, on offense or defense, or even on the punting team, they would foul him from behind.

We discuss it after the 1st qtr, and again at half and after the game, but could not find any reason to do anything other than throw a flag and mark off the yards.

Needless to say, the coach wasn't happy.

Teams play again this weekend for the Championship and would like to make sure we get it right.

Mark

You have the option of making all of the fouls 15-yard PFs if you recognize they are intentionally fouling this player every play. If it's intentional pass interference, you have rule coverage to tack on an additional 15 yards (30 total) in the 7-5-10 penalty. I would sternly warn the players and the coach to discontinue the action immediately. If they don't, I could see the argument for deeming these actions unsportsmanlike. That's the reason intentional pass interference is a 30 yard penalty.

[ajmc]

Something rarely invoked is NFHS 1-1-6, which some refer to as the "God rule" because it gives the Referee authority, "to rule on ANY situation not specifically covered in the rules".

That concept is supported by NFHS 9-10-5 "Neither team shall commit ANY act, which in THE OPINION OF THE REFEREE, tends to make a travesty of the game.

Like most "really BIG sticks" both are kept deep in the closet, and rarely brought out. But, they are always there, to be used if necessary, as determined SOLELY by the Referee.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by ajmc

Something rarely invoked is NFHS 1-1-6, which some refer to as the "God rule" because it gives the Referee authority, "to rule on ANY situation not specifically covered in the rules".

That concept is supported by NFHS 9-10-5 "Neither team shall commit ANY act, which in THE OPINION OF THE REFEREE, tends to make a travesty of the game.

Like most "really BIG sticks" both are kept deep in the closet, and rarely brought out. But, they are always there, to be used if necessary, as determined SOLELY by the Referee.

Agreed.

The elastic power rule in any ruleset is rarely needed, but when needed, it presents itself. Such as the time in the OP.