Good question. But if they meant for legs to be included, why wouldn't they just add the phrase "by hands or legs" to the definition?

Maybe "or controlled" was put in to prevent an opposing player from playing tug-of-war if the ball was between a player's lower legs. I just don't know.

As has been indicated, there is no definition of "controlled" in the NFHS rules, so the next place to look seems like my Funk & Wagnalls, who defines control (trolled, ctrolling) as, "To exercise a directing, restraining or governing influence over".

So back to the original question, "What I am asking is if clutching the ball with the legs is possession?", if the clutching with the legs has restrained the ball, it seems B is effectively "controlling the ball" and has possession.

Agree.......by rule!

Walter Duane Robinson
Walter D. Robinson