Grab and restrict?

[ssombati]

In this video clip from our Polish league game it looks as if RT #77 falls on the back of  #94's feet after disengaging from him to go after the ball carrier.  You can't tell from the video if he grabs an ankle or foot.  Is it enough for a flag if he doesn't grab the ankle but just strikes the back of his feet (trips up) with his hands causing the defender to lose his balance and fall?  The action is in the very first play.

[yt=425,350]uWD-dR7PPE8[/yt]  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWD-dR7PPE8

[El Macman]

Can't see the offensive player in the view given, but the circumstantial evidence is compelling. Why else would the defender suddenly fall to the ground?

What's with the ball spike on about the 4th play (I think?). Interception - QB runs down interceptor and slings him to the ground OB. Interceptor gets up and raises ball shoulder height and slams it to the ground. Referee just looks like he turns a blind eye. Is this some sort of professional league where that is allowed?

But, the teams have cool uniforms!

[ssombati]

We are pretty lenient with the celebration rules in our league but that should have got at least a DOG penalty in my opinion. 

But what if the offensive player didn't grab the foot but just kind of hit him with his hands on the back of the legs or feet?  Would it be enough under the rules/mechanics for holding penalty?

[Etref]

From what I can see on the video, there is not grab or hold.  No clip also as initial contact was in the front and high and defender turned and offensive player fell onto back of legs. I say good no call.

[With_Two_Flakes]

I can hear the commentator talking over the actual plays like they were doing when I first came over in Poland in 2008. You really need to educate them to stop doing that. It is unfair to the teams to be talking over their signals.

The play you asked about, I would say a good no-call.

1:18
You know I dislike officials getting into the habit of giving the good catch signal. Having been WH on a game when I had one guy giving a good catch signal and another giving incomplete... I'd personally prefer if he had simply marked the progress spot and stopped the clock.

1:28
Pass and a score. Nice mechs by wing guy. Good hustle to get close to the catch. We see him put his whistle to his mouth which means he was NOT running around with it in his mouth during the play which is good. His TD signal is crisp.

[ssombati]

So from what I see in these responses it is ok for a player to dive at a defender running away from him and hit is feet with his hand as long as he doesn't grasp or grab?

[Andrew McCarthy]

So from what I see in these responses it is ok for a player to dive at a defender running away from him and hit is feet with his hand as long as he doesn't grasp or grab?

Would that be a block by definition... obstructing an opponent by contacting him with any part of the blocker’s body?

If so- would that be considered a clip... a block against an opponent occurring when the force of the initial contact is from behind and at or below the waist?

[Bob M.]

REPLY: Do you know if a foul was called on the questionable block by the RT? At the conclusion of the play, the R's attention is called back to the center of the field. Wondering if the U might have flagged it.

[TxSkyBolt]

Kind of off the subject, but I noticed the announcer saying First Down in English....isn't there a Polish word for "first" and "Down" 

Best regards,

Brad

[ABoselli]

"Let's go, Seahawks, let's go!" apparently has no Polish translation, either.