NFHS/Leaping

[CT1]

Originally Posted by Canned Heat

Had some interesting banter over this subject with some members of a few other crews sitting around one night.

Running back A33 has the ball and runs downfield getting out in the open field, player B24 (upright on 2 legs) attempts to make a tackle.

* A33 leaps up in the air over A24, completes a forward somersault, and continues running. Ruling?

Or

* A33 leaps straight up (pulling his legs up as he jumps) and goes over the top of B24 trying to make the tackle. Ruling?

Note: The group as a whole had some strong discussion on this for a bit because when he pulls his feet up in the second example, A33's knees come out front of him and become the foremost point to B24. Meeting the definition of a hurdle?

In (1), that’s a foul.

In (2), I have a hard time believing that’s even physically possible unless the defender has already left his feet to attempt the tackle.

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by CT1

In (1), that’s a foul. (A33 leaps up in the air over A24, completes a forward somersault, and continues running.)

In (2), I have a hard time believing that’s even physically possible unless the defender has already left his feet to attempt the tackle.

Presuming the "Forward somersault" is of the standard "heads first" variety, what would you consider a violation of, "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" (NFHS 2-22)?

[VA Official]

Originally Posted by ajmc

Presuming the "Forward somersault" is of the standard "heads first" variety, what would you consider a violation of, "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" (NFHS 2-22)?

Agreed. Somersaults are headfirst jumps, so this is a legal play.

The 2nd example is a foul, as a foot or knee is foremost over an opponent during the hurdle.

As rare or as seldom-called as it may be, it is a clearly defined safety rule in the eyes of the NFHS and must be called if it takes place, no matter of the official’s personal standpoint on the rule itself.

[Canned Heat]

Saw a HUDL high school highlights video and it was a kid that hurdled about 3-4 times during the year in different games. No flags on any. Didn't clarify what state the plays occurred in, but all I could think of was that every HS age running back in the country that saw that video wants to try that now to make a highlight reel.