Runner who is lifted off the ground but still moving forward.....

[Fatso]

Saw this play on a FB group.  I can't find the video link now, but basically a runner is sandwiched between a few defenders and offensive players. Defender lifts him off his feet in an attempt to tackle but it results in runner being horizontal and floating forward atop a mass of players from both teams.  The pack of players with runner on top continues forward for several yards until he eventually falls or gets pulled down to the ground.

General consensus was there's no rule that says to kill the play because he's airborne, but if he's moving backwards we should kill it based on forward progress.  If he's still moving forward, keep the play live.

How would you handle?

ps - I thought I remember reading a rule or case play discussing forward progress and it mentioned "under his own control" or something like that but I can't find it...   

[Ralph Damren]

We put a POE reguarding this in the 2023 Rules Book. I've stressed to our guys htat,while "the tush -push" doen't draw a flag, it does draw a whistle. IMHO, the runner's forward progress has stopped when this occurrs.

[bama_stripes]

It’s not rare for a runner or airborne receiver to be tackled from behind while facing the opponent’s goal line, and be propelled forward.  Seems like this would be the same even if his feet were off the ground.

[ncwingman]

Personally, I feel if the runner is not in control of his own forward progress (or could quickly regain control), then kill the play.

If the runner is in the middle of a scrum that's moving forward, and maybe his feet are off the ground, but he's still vertical - let it play out. Don't be too quick on the whistle, but be ready.

If he's horizontal and crowd surfing, like you described, that's a safety issue waiting to happen and you should kill it.

Incidentally, the only time I've ever thrown an aiding the runner flag - middle school game short yardage play, hand off to the running back (who was the smallest player on the team). He runs into the line where the one guard (largest player on the team) bear hugs him, picks him up and starts bulldozing his way through the pile. The RB's forward progress never stopped... it just wasn't his own progress.

[GoodScout]

IMHO, the runner's forward progress has stopped when this occurrs.

I like this philosophy.

[NVFOA_Ump]

We put a POE regarding this in the 2023 Rules Book. I've stressed to our guys that, while "the tush-push" doesn't draw a flag, it does draw a whistle. IMHO, the runner's forward progress has stopped when this occurs.

Here you go.

[AlUpstateNY]

The 2023 explanation you provide above, seems to suggest "when a runner's forward airborne movement is propelled by an opponent's contact, the runner is ENTITLED to land. Should that landing contact point end THE RUNNER'S ADMANCEMENT, the RUN has ended.

Should the RUNNER'S advance, while airborne, be assisted by teammates, that advance is NOT CREDITED TO THE RUMMER, and HIS advance (while maintaining possession) should terminate the RUN, as determined by the covering official.  This prevents the travesty of teammates carrying an airborne runner down the field, and the logic presented in the 3023 explanation, you provided, clearly explains that.

NFL interpretations, reflecting specific level conditions, often differ from NFHS rulings.

[Ted T]

We put a POE reguarding this in the 2023 Rules Book. I've stressed to our guys htat,while "the tush -push" doen't draw a flag, it does draw a whistle. IMHO, the runner's forward progress has stopped when this occurrs.

  Confused.  No flag on "tush push?"  What about 9-1?

[AlUpstateNY]

As suggested, appropriately terminating live action ends play.  EXCESSIVE continued action, after Official play termination may/should result in "Dead Ball" fouls, subject to specific, existing penalty.