Possession

[HLin NC]

If we're talking NFHS, R23 is down.

That is why the definition of possession includes the term "held OR controlled".

[CT1]

Originally Posted by HLin NC

If we're talking NFHS, R23 is down.

That is why the definition of possession includes the term "held OR controlled".

Where is the definition of "controlled"?

[HLin NC]

There isn't one. But since we can infer that held is with the hands, why would the Fed use the term controlled in the same definition?

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by HLin NC

There isn't one. But since we can infer that held is with the hands, why would the Fed use the term controlled in the same definition?

At one time I thought it was to put hysteresis into the concept of possession, because Fed (differently from NCAA) adds to the definition, "after having gained" it by a listing of different means. I thought maybe they meant that first gaining possession might require a firmer grasp on the ball than maintaining possession did. Later I decided that was probably not what they meant.

NFL is using the earlier wording, the and instead of the or. Some time after 1960 and before 1978, Fed changed it to an "or"; I don't know when NCAA did.

[CT1]

Originally Posted by HLin NC

There isn't one. But since we can infer that held is with the hands, why would the Fed use the term controlled in the same definition?

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.

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by CT1

Where is the definition of "controlled"?

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.

[Rob4092xx]

Agree.......by rule!

Walter Duane Robinson
Walter D. Robinson

Originally Posted by HLin NC

If we're talking NFHS, R23 is down.

That is why the definition of possession includes the term "held OR controlled".