Tackling by Non-player

[jjrye22]

I've seen it in a game. Coach from the team grabbed the ball carrier as he was running past.

WH awarded the TD and ejected the coach.

[Warrenkicker]

Here is the steps I have come up with to use if I ever see it.

First, whomever came off the bench is gone.

Second, I try to determine the first possible location where the runner could have been legally tackled. From that point I would decide if to award the TD or not based on my assessment of relative skill level of the players involved. If I can determine that the tackle was likely to have been made then I am assessing 15 yards from the likely spot of the tackle.

[jaybird]

Originally Posted by Warrenkicker

Here is the steps I have come up with to use if I ever see it.

First, whomever came off the bench is gone.

Second, I try to determine the first possible location where the runner could have been legally tackled. From that point I would decide if to award the TD or not based on my assessment of relative skill level of the players involved. If I can determine that the tackle was likely to have been made then I am assessing 15 yards from the likely spot of the tackle.

Sounds reasonable. Now let's just hope that we never have the need to apply this enforcement.

[ajmc]

Under the NFHS code, Unfair Act (NF: 10.9.1), "A player or nonplayer or person not subject to the rules shall not hinder play by an unfair act which has no specific rule coverage.

Penalty: "Unfair Act - The Referee enforces any penalty he considers equitable, including the awarding of a score."

[Steve M]

Originally Posted by jjrye22

I've seen it in a game. Coach from the team grabbed the ball carrier as he was running past.

WH awarded the TD and ejected the coach.

Didn't Woody Hayes do that in one of his last games?

[jaybird]

Originally Posted by Steve M

Didn't Woody Hayes do that in one of his last games?

I believe it was after the play was over on the Ohio State sideline.

[Ed Hickland]

Woody punched an opposing player who had run out of bounds.

That was the last game he ever coached.

[parepat]

Where on earth did you get the idea that Woddy punched someone. I think I remember that play. The Clemson player had some dirt and grass stuck to his jersey. Woody was simply trying to wipe off his uniform.

Back to the post. I would simply add that I would err on the side of the offended team. Thus, I would start with the idea of awarding the TD and move back from there.