Tackling the Pitch Man

[Ed Hickland]

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?

[kentref]

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.

[mikesears]

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

The instructor was incorrect.

[Snake~eyes]

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

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.

[BktBallRef]

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

[Jim S]

We can only hope!

[James Neil]

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

[Theisey]

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.

[Forksref]

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!

[BktBallRef]

Pushing isn't holding. Tackling would be holding.

[JMN]

Originally posted by James Neil
Hey, the name of this instructor wouldn’t happen to be Drock would it?

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