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Football Officiating => National Federation Discussion => Topic started by: UmpinK on October 20, 2011, 06:54:01 AM

Title: horse collar?
Post by: UmpinK on October 20, 2011, 06:54:01 AM
During a run, B1 grabs A1's collar from behind.  Because of the angle, A1 is spun 180 degrees (by the collar) and downed.
Title: Re: horse collar?
Post by: mbyron on October 20, 2011, 07:31:28 AM
9-4-3k. No player shall:
Grab the inside back or side collar of the shoulder pads or jersey of the runner
and subsequently pull that opponent to the ground (Horse-collar).
Title: Re: horse collar?
Post by: UmpinK on October 20, 2011, 08:13:50 AM
Any dissenting opinions?  I have heard the "spirit of the rule" argument that since his legs were in no danger, the significance of the horse collar grab should not apply. 
Title: Re: horse collar?
Post by: TampaSteve on October 20, 2011, 08:26:32 AM
I get the spirit of the rule - if we're thinking of NCAA and/or NFL; however, the HS rule states (in english) if you're tackled via a grab on the inside back or side collar of the shoulder pads or jersey, it's a horse collar. Period, end of story.

That being said, it seems the spirit of the rule for NFHS is they don't want players to tackle in that manner at all.

Easier call to make with NFHS that if runner is grabbed that way & tackled, it's a flag. No determining whether legs buckled and/or runner fell backwards.
Title: Re: horse collar?
Post by: UmpinK on October 20, 2011, 08:41:36 AM
Definitely my opinion as well.  Dissent on the crew, however.  Reddings guide and case book examples are all the classic "pull immediately down" variety.  But we often see the runner being spun to the ground.  I have seen a white hat not call it once, saying that since the runner landed on his front it was not a horse collar (he was grabbed from behind collar and spun 360 and thrown violently down).  I would have called it; my crew wouldn't have.
Title: Re: horse collar?
Post by: TampaSteve on October 20, 2011, 08:43:25 AM
To clarify, not that I agree 100% with the HS rule as I cited above.
But it is what it is.
Title: Re: horse collar?
Post by: HLinNC on October 20, 2011, 09:05:18 AM
Key word: subsequently
Title: Re: horse collar?
Post by: mbyron on October 20, 2011, 09:29:51 AM
Key word: subsequently
Exactly: the rule does not say "backward," nor does it say "immediately." This rule admits of borderline cases, but the example in the OP is not among them.
Title: Re: horse collar?
Post by: UmpinK on October 20, 2011, 09:53:46 AM
I think the issue is further muddled by the casebook plays being vanilla. 

Thanks everyone.  This will give my crew some discussion points tonight on the way to a middle of nowhere town in Central Nebraska.
Title: Re: horse collar?
Post by: TampaSteve on October 20, 2011, 09:56:34 AM
I think the issue is further muddled by the casebook plays being vanilla. 

Thanks everyone.  This will give my crew some discussion points tonight on the way to a middle of nowhere town in Central Nebraska.
My wife is from Western IA, near Omaha (about an hour NNE). I can comprehend
Title: Re: horse collar?
Post by: UmpinK on October 20, 2011, 10:11:38 AM
Actually, it is kind of a pretty drive, at least the last half hour.  However, since I have to teach tomorrow, I am not looking forward to the drive home.  Should be an OK game, though.