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Football Officiating => National Federation Discussion => Topic started by: BetweenTheLines on October 28, 2025, 08:09:44 AM

Title: Rule 9-4-7
Post by: BetweenTheLines on October 28, 2025, 08:09:44 AM

Hey Ralph or anyone else who might sit in the NFHS committee. Is there any reason to still have this rule in the book? This contact is covered in 9-4-3m.

Title: Re: Rule 9-4-7
Post by: NVFOA_Ump on October 28, 2025, 09:48:00 AM

9-4-7 . . . No defensive player may use the hand(s) to slap the blocker’s head.

9-4-3-m   Target an opponent.

What is the actual question here?  The 2 referenced rules do not cover the same foul?

Title: Re: Rule 9-4-7
Post by: SCHSref on October 28, 2025, 11:07:54 AM

Yet, there is a way to make legal contact to the helmet and not be charged with a foul

Title: Re: Rule 9-4-7
Post by: GoodScout on October 28, 2025, 03:04:49 PM

Wait five seconds, then kill it.

Or be like Bryan Doyle-Murray at the end of Caddyshack and just poise yourself over the ball, put your hands on your knees, and keep staring at the ball.  ;D

Title: Re: Rule 9-4-7
Post by: Ralph Damren on October 29, 2025, 06:56:26 AM

Reference cases 9.4.3V and 9.4.7A-C. While both fall into the PF rule, they can differ. As we Mainers say:

BEST TA' SAY IT TWICE THAN TO NOT SAY IT AT ALL yEs:

Title: Re: Rule 9-4-7
Post by: BetweenTheLines on October 29, 2025, 08:07:53 AM

Let me get my point across with a question. Is a slap to the head an act by a player taking aim and initiating contact against an opponent above the shoulders?

Title: Re: Rule 9-4-7
Post by: NVFOA_Ump on October 29, 2025, 09:16:05 AM

Quote from: BetweenTheLines on October 29, 2025, 08:07:53 AM

Let me get my point across with a question. Is a slap to the head an act by a player taking aim and initiating contact against an opponent above the shoulders?

Not really, and not what is intended by the two different rules.

Title: Re: Rule 9-4-7
Post by: Fatso on October 29, 2025, 01:10:39 PM

Just curious, what's the reason for having a foul specifically for "Slapping Blocker's Head"  rather than a general foul "slapping another player in the head"?   

Title: Re: Rule 9-4-7
Post by: NVFOA_Ump on October 29, 2025, 01:20:39 PM

Quote from: Fatso on October 29, 2025, 01:10:39 PM

Just curious, what's the reason for having a foul specifically for "Slapping Blocker's Head"  rather than a general foul "slapping another player in the head"?

The rule came about when it was being coached as a good way to get a blocking lineman off balance, and it was becoming very common.  Most codes do not want any type of intentional blow to the head or neck area.

Title: Re: Rule 9-4-7
Post by: refjeff on October 30, 2025, 06:48:05 PM

 yEs:

Quote from: BetweenTheLines on October 28, 2025, 08:09:44 AM

Hey Ralph or anyone else who might sit in the NFHS committee. Is there any reason to still have this rule in the book? This contact is covered in 9-4-3m.

It's kind of like your appendix, a vestigial remnant of evolution.