Sitting in on a newbie class the instructor told the class you can tackle an intended receiver of a screen pass being he is in the backfield.

Now I didn't dispute but knowing that a pitch man cannot be tackled that leads me to believe the same applies to a screen pass receiver.

But for the life of me I cannot locate what rule applies to that particular situation. Can someone cite what rule applies?

Ed: I would go to 2-3-5b to start with. The associated note talks about "deception", but if there is no "deception" involved and a defender just tackles a pitchman or intended screen receiver, then in my book it's clearly a defensive holding/illegal use of hands foul. I suppose you could also call it an illegal block, since that's the definition I'm working from. Illegal "blocks" generally aren't thought of as a product of the defense, but in this case, maybe that fits.

Good question. I'll be interested to see what others say.

The only player that can be tackled or held is the runner (or player pretending to be a runner).

The instructor was incorrect.

First time I've opened the rule book in several months.

2-30-13
A runner is a player who is in possession of a liveball or is simulating possession of a live ball.

9-2-4
A defensive player shall not:
c. Use his hands or arms to hook, lock, clamp, grasp, encircle or hold in an effort to restrain an opponent other than the runner.

My guess is that he meant to indicate that you can't have DPI on a pass behind the LOS.

We can only hope!

Hey, the name of this instructor wouldn’t happen to be Drock would it? :D

Probably in rule 7 somewhere Ed.

I know (I looked them up) NCAA has rule 7 wordings such as these: (a) Team A or B players may legally interfer with opponents behind the NZ and (g) Tackling or grasping a receiver or any other intentional contact before he touches the pass is evidence that the tackler is disregarding the ball and is therefore illegal.

I just happened to have a rules difference manual with me and there is no compainion entry into the NF book so you therefore have to say NF matches this.

9-2-4 does not include pushing the non-runner behind the LOS in order to prevent the completion. In other words, DPI does not apply behind the LOS. However, holding would, according to 9-2-4.

Looking forward to FB season!

Pushing isn't holding. Tackling would be holding. :)

:D James, remember what they say about sleeping dogs.....