Team A fumbles, and while the ball is still loose a player from team B wraps up an A player (bear hug) and prevents him from getting to the loose ball.
Had this play last week and I threw a flag for holding and was then overruled by my R and U. Have looked in the rule book but can't find support for there not being a foul here?
I've never really understood this one either. The excerpt from the rule book is below (2-3-4 and 2-3-5), but how can you "pull" without holding?
“An offensive player may also use his hands or arms:
a. When he is a runner, to ward off or push any player.
b. During a kick, to ward off an opponent who is attempting to block him.
c. To push, pull or ward off an opponent when the ball is loose if he may legally touch or possess the ball if such contact is not pass interference, a personal foul or illegal use of hands.
ART. 5 . . . A defensive player may also:
a. Use unlocked hands, hand or arm to ward off an opponent who is blocking him or is attempting to block him.
b. Push, pull or ward off an opponent in an actual attempt to get at the runner or a loose ball if such contact is not pass interference, a personal foul or illegal use of hands.”
