assist the runner

[l3will]

Originally posted by sm_bbcoach
Had a clear case of assisting the runner last friday night. A75 grabbed the rb (A32) AT THE b-36, and literally spun him and propelled him another 10 yards. He fell down from the spin at the B-23. So the flag is thrown, and we mark off the 5 yds. My question: why is this not a LOD penality. Not only did the offense gain a net of 8 yards as a result of the play, it was still 1st down.

Is a LOD for this too harsh a penalty?

Thanks!

The only thing I'm not clear on is that you say that the offense gained a net of 8 yards by doing this. I think the penalty should be enforced from the spot of the foul, in this case B's 36, the spot of the foul since it is behind the end of the run. But from the description, I'm not totally sure that you did not mark off the penalty from B's 23.