Downfield Coverage

[Ed Hickland]

NFHS Rules. Coach tells me his understanding is a defender can bump and run a potential receiver until the ball is in the air.

We respond a defender cannot bump a potential receiver off his route.

What is the interpretation of the rule?

[waltjp]

B may ward off a potential blocker. It's interpreted to mean that once a receiver gains the same yard line as the defender the receiver is no longer a threat to block and can not be contacted by the defender.

[LDUB]

Originally Posted by waltjp

B may ward off a potential blocker. It's interpreted to mean that once a receiver gains the same yard line as the defender the receiver is no longer a threat to block and can not be contacted by the defender.

Also if A is moving away from B then B cannot block A as A is not a potential blocker. You can still have a foul for illegal use of hands even if A never gets even/past B.

[Ed Hickland]

So, if A is running his route and not approaching B then B cannot move toward A and contact him?

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by Ed Hickland

So, if A is running his route and not approaching B then B cannot move toward A and contact him?

Correct.