Rule 9.2.2 - Illegal use of the hands

[john_faz]

Under what circumstances might one call a foul on the runner for grasping a teammate?

I am trying to think of circumstances where this would be an advantage gained by the runner. Would you call a foul againt the runner if he grabs the back of his blockers jersey as he follows him through the blocking hole?

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by john_faz

I am trying to think of circumstances where this would be an advantage gained by the runner. Would you call a foul againt the runner if he grabs the back of his blockers jersey as he follows him through the blocking hole?

That's one example. Never seen it called but by rule, it's correct.

[jemiller]

Usually on a goal line play the blockers are pushing the runner from behind trying to get them in the EZ. This would be "helping the runner" and a foul. I would think that it works the other way too when trying to grab a team mate to help gain an advantage. I have not seen it in 30 yrs myself. Jim

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by john_faz

Under what circumstances might one call a foul on the runner for grasping a teammate?

I am trying to think of circumstances where this would be an advantage gained by the runner. Would you call a foul againt the runner if he grabs the back of his blockers jersey as he follows him through the blocking hole?

According to the spirit of the rule, I think it's a foul if the runner is pulling himself forward thereby, but not a foul if the runner is merely feeling the blocker to maintain a certain distance from him. If the runner is pushing the blocker, also not a foul since there's no advantage to doing that with his hand vs. using body contact.

[Jim D.]

I have actually called this before. It was a rainy night and the field was slick. The runner grabbed the back of a blocker's jersey to help get towed through the slop.

A long time ago I saw a runner grab a blocker to help make a cut, but that one wasn't called.

[Canned Heat]

We had a game a few weeks back where 2 O-linemen basically picked the RB up and threw him into the endzone. Helping/aiding the runner was called. 1st time I can remember ever using that signal.