(08-04-2018, 08:23 PM)Eric1 Wrote: So, from the wording of this new rule, Fournette won't be able to leap over the pile like he did multiple times for a TD last season. Soon as he leaves his feet they mark him down? This simply cannot happen and will cause a lot of outrage if that's the case. There has to be some sort of common sense behind the ruling over when this is called.

This new ruling is absolutely going to cost teams first downs as well. Not a good change at all.

No, he can still go over the pile and he won't be marked down when he take off. Even if that will be considered giving himself up (which I don't think it's the case, just like other goal line-short yardage situations), the ball will be marked where the ball is when he touches the ground again with the first part of his body who makes contact to the ground.

I suggest to open the first link in the article where the rules are explained.

I quote the part of interest here:

-If a runner (including a quarterback) gives himself up, then he is down where the first body part touches the ground. The runner should not benefit from additional yardage after the first body part touches. Defenders do not have to go down to initiate contact to stop a runner from gaining more yards after he contacts the ground.

-Quarterbacks and all runners must give themselves up early, and if a defender has committed to a tackle, contact may occur. However, that contact cannot be late or to the head or neck area of the player who gave himself up.

-A quarterback does not have to slide feet first to be considered to be giving himself up. Regardless whether the slide is feet first or head first, as long as he gives himself up, he should receive the protections afforded to him as a player in a defenseless posture.


I think we'll have more clarifications after the first couple of games, the wording makes it more complicated than it is probably, I seriously doubt they are prohibiting short-yardage situations jump over the pile, QB sneak and stuff like that.

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