Illegal runner? - Michigan Youth

[SteelFan]

A team at the 10/11 yr old level ran a play last week where the right guard took a hand off from the qb. A flag was tossed, but was picked up after the call was overturned by the head ref.

My understanding is the lineman must turn 180 degrees, and be off the line in order to be an eligible ball carrier. In this case, he did neither. The lineman simply turned left (90 degrees) and ran off tackle for a score.

What's the right call? Can you direct me, or post the specific rule, which addresses this?

thanks.

[MRH]

The play, as you described it, is illegal forward handing.

The lineman must turn and face his goaline and be at least 1 yard behind the los when he receives the ball.

Also, you state that it was a guard who received the ball. The snapper or any player adjecent to the snapper cannot receive a "forward" handoff. It must be a backwards handoff.

NFHS 7-3-2 a & b

[waltjp]

It's legal to hand to a guard providing he turns to face his goal line and is at least 1 yard behind the line of scrimmage when he receives the ball. You're confusing restriction about a lineman lined up next to the snapper with part b of the rule, which states that an end or back can receive the hand off without turning to face their goal line.

[Bob M.]

REPLY: And also remember that these restrictions are only for a lineman receiving a forward handoff. If he comes behind the QB to get the handoff, it's completely legal with no special restrictions whatsoever. From the sound of your play though, it does indeed sound like the QB handed it forward, so those restrictions would apply.

[WhiteHat Ref]

Here's a situation play I had last week in a youth game. QB is under center with his hands on top of the center, at the snap, the QB never touched the ball, the center holds the ball between his legs and the guard comes around and grabs the ball from the center and runs for a touchdown.

I really didn't see anything illegal about this play since the QB didn't touch the snap. Your thoughts.

[Two Call]

Illegal snap. 2-40-2 and 7-2-4 ball must immediately leave the hand of the snapper. Can't be touched by an A lineman until snap either touches the ground or a back.