Hits Outof Bounds

[TXMike]

Am I off base here?  Seems to me that if a defender takes a line to contact a ballcarrier in bounds along the sideline but the ball carrier goes off (or is is knocked off ) the line he is traveling, such that the defender and ball carrier then make contact out of bounds, this should still be a foul.
This graphic might demonstrate what I am describing.  Defender is red ball carrier is blue.  You see the defender is lined up to make contact in bounds, but the ball carrier then goes OOB.
Just seems to me if you (defender) put yourself on a line that has you making contact OOB, it should be a foul.



Here are 2 videos from yesterday...you make the call.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSPJUYTN2K0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02uWQ7GIJgE

[El Macman]

On the play to the side opposite the pressbox, no question - clearly an avoidable late hit OB.

On the kickoff to the pressbox side, it just doesn't jump out as being a late hit, althouh the slo-mo replay shows contact at about the same time the BC's left foot comes down OB. The fact that he was being blocked and forced to the out-of-bounds area, and the closeness of the contact with the BC actually being OB, makes this one a no-call, IMHO.

[NVFOA_Ump]

I agree with Macman.  The 1st clip is contact after the ball carrier is clearly in the white OB and it's avoidable contact - this one would get my flag.  The 2nd clip (the kick return), is actually made when the ball carrier is still inbounds.  That one is too close to flag as a hit OB, and when you factor in the direction of the ball carrier, with a chance to go up the sideline if he sees the defender ease up, a good non-call.  Now maybe if the leading with the helmet high resulted in more significant contact ....?

[Magician]

I didn't see the clips but here is something I learned that has served me well.

If the runner is obviously giving himself up and heading out of bounds, give the runner the benefit of the doubt and err on the side of a foul.

If the runner is still running parallel to the sideline as if he's running downfield but has stepped out, give the defender the benefit of the doubt and err on the side of no foul.

In your graphic it appears the runner is giving himself up by running out of bounds.  If the defender contacts him once he's out of bounds it should be a foul.  The force of the hit may impact the call.

[bossman72]

My philosophy is that we need 2 feet in the white by the runner to call a late hit.  Play 1 is probably a good no-call.  Play 2 is clearly a late hit.

[Rulesman]

My philosophy is that we need 2 feet in the white by the runner to call a late hit.

I agree more with Magician's philosophy than I do making it as black and white as this. I can think of all kinds of reasons why it will get you in trouble.

[chymechowder]

Kickoff: the tackler was fighting off a block and trying to get to the ball carrier. I think he gave a little bit of a late shove, but I dont think there should be flag on this.

Scrimmage play: Definite flag in my opinion.

[bossman72]

I agree more with Magician's philosophy than I do making it as black and white as this. I can think of all kinds of reasons why it will get you in trouble.

I should rephrase - 2 feet in the white before I CONSIDER calling a late hit.  I agree with what Magician said.