Every year the NFHS identifies a handful of rules that deserve additional emphasis. One of this year’s Points of Emphasis is Helping the Runner, a rule that officials rarely enforce because the foul itself is relatively uncommon. Unfortunately, that rarity can also create uncertainty. Officials sometimes become overly eager to throw a flag simply because they observe a teammate contacting the runner. The challenge isn’t recognizing obvious fouls; it’s resisting the temptation to create one where none exists.
The first concept to understand is that pushing the pile is legal. Football has always involved teammates driving the scrum forward after initial contact, and the rules permit that action. The foul occurs only when a teammate directly assists the runner by pushing, pulling, or lifting him to advance his forward progress. The word “directly” is the key. Simply being behind the runner as the pile moves is not enough. Contact from the side, incidental contact, or teammates driving into the pile without assisting the runner should not automatically be interpreted as helping the runner. The official must be convinced that the teammate’s direct contact materially assisted the runner’s advance.
Timing is equally important. Before throwing a flag, ask yourself a simple question: Has the runner already scored? This situation most often arises near the goal line when a quarterback sneak is immediately followed by a teammate giving the quarterback a shove from behind. If the ball has already broken the plane of the goal line, the touchdown has already been scored. The ball became dead the instant the goal line was reached. Anything that occurs afterward, including a teammate pushing the runner farther into the end zone, is a non-issue because the play is already over. Don’t penalize a legal touchdown simply because you observed contact after the ball became dead.
The same philosophy applies everywhere else on the field. Slow yourself down. Process the entire play before reaching for your flag. Did the teammate actually help the runner, or did they merely collide with a moving pile? Was the contact direct, or was it simply part of several players converging on the runner? Did the assistance occur while the ball was still live? These are the questions that separate good officiating from hurried officiating.
Perhaps the most important takeaway is this: Helping the Runner is a rare foul. Because the NFHS has highlighted it as a Point of Emphasis, there may be a temptation to look for violations that aren’t there. Resist that temptation. Points of Emphasis are reminders to officiate the rule correctly, not invitations to manufacture fouls. When the elements are clearly present, enforce the rule confidently. When they are not, keep the flag in your pocket.
As with many judgment fouls, this one comes down to discipline. See the entire play, understand exactly what the rule prohibits, and don’t let the unusual nature of the play rush your decision. When in question, it’s not a foul.
Quiz
Read the quiz stem and then choose the best answer. (Choose all that apply.)
4/10 from the K-30. Five seconds remain on the game clock in the fourth quarter. Team K is flagged for an illegal formation at the snap. R24 fields the punt at the R-40 and returns the kick for a touchdown.
- Team R must decline the foul to keep the score
- Team R may elect to enforce the penalty on the try
- Team R may elect to enforce the penalty on the succeeding spot
Review Rules 8-2-3 and 10-4-2 EXCEPTION