is it legal for the ball carrier to push one of his own players into a defensive player that is coming up to try and make a tackle? if there is such a rule out there can you please reference it for me?

REPLY: He can <u>push</u> a teammate, but there is no rule specifically saying so. Since there's also no rule prohibiting it, it's legal. However, by rule NF 9-2-2: <i>"The runner may not grasp a teammate"</i> (Illegal use of the hands).