horse collar?

[UmpinK]

During a run, B1 grabs A1's collar from behind.  Because of the angle, A1 is spun 180 degrees (by the collar) and downed.

[mbyron]

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).

[UmpinK]

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. 

[TampaSteve]

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.

[UmpinK]

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.

[TampaSteve]

To clarify, not that I agree 100% with the HS rule as I cited above.
But it is what it is.

[HLinNC]

Key word: subsequently

[mbyron]

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.

[UmpinK]

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.

[TampaSteve]

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

[UmpinK]

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.