NFHS/Leaping

[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.