Here goes another one of those outstanding plays which could have been called back because different interpretations of the rule and human judgement. Hurdling is illegal in high school football. Looks great. Shows crazy athleticism. But, there is a rule in place to promote safety and restrict the action.

Rule 2-22; 9-4-3d
Hurdling as defined by the NFHS is an attempt by a player to jump (hurdle) with one or both feet or knees foremost over an opponent who is contacting the ground with no part of his body except one or both feet…is illegal.

We interpret this as:
– if the defender is standing upright and is hurdled = Not Legal
– if the defender has one or two feet on the ground and touching the ground with his arm or hand and is hurdled = legal
– if a defender is on his knee(s) and is hurdled = Legal
– if a defender dives and has no part of his body on the ground and is hurdled = legal

We can also see how this becomes a difficult call for an official in real time attempting to track the ball downfield and at the same “See the posture” of the oncoming defender.

Now, check out this play by Palmetto RB Johnny Jones