Is This Blocked Kick Legal?

[ddoom]

Illegal 9.4.3D NFHS. No Hurdling. 15 yds personal foul. In this case 1/2 the distance and replay the down.

[Jim D]

I only saw it once but I think it was legal. It looked like the guy went through the gap and used his arms to propel himself through.

[cmathews]

while very athletic it is very illegal in a lot of different areas...you might be able to get away with no hurdling by saying the centers hands were touching the ground...I wouldn't however take this route. If you do take that position, he does put his hand on a teammates shoulder and you could say he uses that to gain leverage, then he also "stands" on the center in the process of jumping him.....good try though LOL

[cshs81]

Are his hands touching the ground ever? If he's snapping, his hands are on the ball, he then snaps the ball, and steps forward without his hands touching. That would seem to indicate hurdling.

[cmathews]

CSHS I doubt that they touch, it was just a if you really want to try and make it legal (which I wouldn't ) you could conceivably "make" his hands touch the ground...

[Jim D]

I went back and watched it a few more times. It might be hurdling but I would bet in a game I would not have called it - mainly I would have been so suprised by it, I wouldn't have thought of hurdling until later. I might warn the kid but unless I was 100% positive it was hurdling then no call.

[Bob M.]

REPLY: Let's put the judgment of whether or not this as hurdling aside and answer your questions:

Any penalties?

1. Is it illegal to hurdle a lineman? Yes...it's illegal to hurdle any opponent. Just make sure that you read NF 2-21 to fully understand what hurdling is.
2. Is it illegal to launch yourself off the center's back? Yes. It's a personal foul to position yourself on the shoulders or body of an opponent or teammate in order to gain an advantage.
3. Is it illegal to launch yourself off of ANY o-lineman's back? Same