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Author Topic: Rule 9-4-7  (Read 1371 times)

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Offline BetweenTheLines

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Rule 9-4-7
« 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.
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Offline NVFOA_Ump

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Re: Rule 9-4-7
« Reply #1 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?
« Last Edit: October 29, 2025, 06:45:24 AM by NVFOA_Ump »
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Offline SCHSref

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Re: Rule 9-4-7
« Reply #2 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
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Offline GoodScout

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Re: Rule 9-4-7
« Reply #3 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
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Offline Ralph Damren

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Re: Rule 9-4-7
« Reply #4 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:
« Last Edit: October 29, 2025, 07:12:24 AM by Ralph Damren »
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Offline BetweenTheLines

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Re: Rule 9-4-7
« Reply #5 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?
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Offline NVFOA_Ump

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Re: Rule 9-4-7
« Reply #6 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.
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Offline Fatso

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Re: Rule 9-4-7
« Reply #7 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"?   
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Offline NVFOA_Ump

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Re: Rule 9-4-7
« Reply #8 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.
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Offline refjeff

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Re: Rule 9-4-7
« Reply #9 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.
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