another missed Hurdling penalty

[MSWBKLYN]

The attempted tackler sure looks like he is standing up ?
http://usatodayhss.com/2014/this-is-the-hurdling-touchdown-of-the-year

[CalhounLJ]

Yeah I have hurdling on that play


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[Curious]

Don't think I'd call "hurdling" here.  Yes the opponent had both feet on the ground; but I'm hard pressed to say "one or both feet or knees of the runner were foremost over the opponent" - especially at real speed. 

The intent of the hurdling rule, IMHO, is to penalize a runner who uses his feet or knees as a "safety hazard" or as a deterrent to a potential tackler.  I don't see that here.  In fact the runner actually spread his legs letting the tackler run between them.  This looks like just a outstanding athletic play.   

[blarsen]

I'd have to disagree.  By my reading of 2-22 hurdling has 2 requirements:

Jump with one or both feet or knees foremost
and
Jump over an opponent who is contacting the ground with no part of his body except one or both feet

This play clearly meets both requirements.  I think the spirit of this rule is to prevent players from trying to do this and failing.  In this play the knees and feet of the runner are very close to the defenders head.  If we allow (or even encourage) players to try this, defenders will certainly be kicked in the head.  In my mind, this is a safety issue and we should err on the side of caution

[Magician]

The is a perfect example of hurdling. Don't try to read too much into this. A runner jumps over a defender like a hurdler and lands on his feet. Don't make it too complicated. Hurdling is more to protect the runner than the defender.

[SD_Casey]

No Hurdle.  It doesn't meet the requirements.

"Jump over an opponent who is contacting the ground with no part of his body except one or both feet."

Defender's jaw was contacting the ground.  No foul.

 

Good luck tomorrow night, boys!

[VALJ]

Since that's my association that worked that game, I'll back my fellow officials and say there clearly wasn't hurdling, since there's no flag on the ground. 

 

[bama_stripes]

The is a perfect example of hurdling. Don't try to read too much into this. A runner jumps over a defender like a hurdler and lands on his feet. Don't make it too complicated. Hurdling is more to protect the runner than the defender.

+1

[Ralph Damren]

IMHO, from the eye of the camera it certainly looked like hurdling; but from the eyes of the LJ it may not have- or may have caught him by surprise . Shame on USA Today for posting this probably illegal act as it will only encourage high school players to emulate. At the high school level, for every successful hurdle there are 10 unsuccessful ones where often both runner and tackler lay in a heap. . By the way, who/what was that running side-by-side with the runner all the way to and through the end zone ?

[VALJ]

By the way, who/what was that running side-by-side with the runner all the way to and through the end zone ?

Ralph, I think he's usually the ball boy down there - I've seen him there before, and it looks like he was about to get the football from the player.  Just a guess, though.

[Ralph Damren]

Ralph, I think he's usually the ball boy down there - I've seen him there before, and it looks like he was about to get the football from the player.  Just a guess, though.

Give that kid a uniform, he appeared to keep up with the "high hurdles man" !!

[GeorgiaBlue]

Shame on the USA Today?  Huh?

How about shame on the officials that missed it - and the many officials that continually miss these types of calls.  Let's not shoot the messenger.

[Ralph Damren]

Shame on the USA Today?  Huh?

How about shame on the officials that missed it - and the many officials that continually miss these types of calls.  Let's not shoot the messenger.

Other than the messenger did not state that it was illegal and potentially dangerous. IMHO, when the media dramatizes plays like this it only encourages kids to try that,too.

[Kevin Durst]

Actually the "messenger" stated "the move to make a tackle" was what made the TD run legal.  I see nothing being done by the player trying to make the tackle that would make a hurdle legal.  Both his feet are on the ground and no other part of his body is touching the ground.

[AlUpstateNY]

Why would anyone expect the written comments of sports writers to be any more accurate, or well researched, than those comments of announcers?