Horsecollar

[JRutledge]

Horse Collar is a foul against an opponent that was once a runner. So if the action starts with the ball then that runner fumbles the ball but is still pulled to the ground then that is still an opponent.

Peace

[HLin NC]

Under NFHS rules, if it is clear that the player lost possession before the defender initiates the contact at the collar, there is no foul for a horsecollar tackle per se under 9-4-3k because the player was not a runner.

That is one of the 2010 rule changes. "Runner" was changed to "opponent".

k. Grab the inside back or side collar of the shoulder pads or jersey of the runner and subsequently pull that opponent to the ground (Horse-collar).

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by HLin NC

That is one of the 2010 rule changes. "Runner" was changed to "opponent".

True. But the action constituting the foul must begin when we have a runner. If the runner fumbles before the defender touches him, it can't be a horsecollar foul.

It's not clear from the OP exactly what happened.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by mbyron

True. But the action constituting the foul must begin when we have a runner. If the runner fumbles before the defender touches him, it can't be a horsecollar foul.

It's not clear from the OP exactly what happened.

That is very true. You could still have something else, but not a horse collar foul.

Peace