Legal or not?

[Jim D]

This play was reviewed in an association meeting the other night. I thought I'd put it out here for comments.

Back A2 goes out into the right flat (behind the line) as a potential receiver and QB A1 is also rolling to the right. Defensive player B1 is coming across the line and heading for the QB. As back A2 crosses in front of him while A2 is looking back to the QB, B1 pushes A2 out of his way so he can continue on his path to A1.

Legal contact or not?

[TXMike]

Sounds like one being discussed among NCAA guys and which even made he NCAA training film this year. Jury is splt although Dave Parry says foul. I disagree.

[cmathews]

Mike,
I agree with you that it appears legal. What is Parry's problem with the play? As I recall the defense can use their hands to ward off the offensive players to get to the ball carrier. B is allowed to contact A2 in the backfield as long as it isn't a personal foul or below the waist....so I can't see anything potetially wrong here...

[Warrenkicker]

If this contact, the push, it just to make room to run by in an attempt to get to the QB then I have nothing as this action is specifically allowed by rule. I am much less inclined to call anything if the ball is not in the air. However, if B goes out of his way to hit A2 on his way toward the QB then there is probably a foul. And if B hits A2 after the pass is thrown toward A2 then there is probably illegal use of hands against B.

[cmathews]

Warren,
What is the basis for illegal use of hands? What difference does it make if the ball is in the air?

[Jim D]

We reviewed this play on tape from a HS game last year. According to the state interpreter, this should have been called illegal use of the hands. I have a lot of trouble with that because it seemed to me to logically be a legal play. B was just trying to get to the ball carrier and I'm sure he did not look to see if it was a guard or a back in his way.

By rule, since A2 was a receiver and not a potential blocker, it's illegal. I don't like it.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by Jim D

This play was reviewed in an association meeting the other night. I thought I'd put it out here for comments.

Back A2 goes out into the right flat (behind the line) as a potential receiver and QB A1 is also rolling to the right. Defensive player B1 is coming across the line and heading for the QB. As back A2 crosses in front of him while A2 is looking back to the QB, B1 pushes A2 out of his way so he can continue on his path to A1.

Legal contact or not?

B can interfere with A while A is in the NZ and those A players protecting the passer. [9-4-9b]

It does not seem that A2 was protecting the passer, and in fact is a high candidate as a pass recipient. [9-4-10b]

Illegal contact: 10 yards from PLS, down repeated.