NFHS Officiating: Weekly Dozen 2026, Episode 3 | Helping the Runner: Foul or Legal Push?

Learn how to judge helping the runner under NFHS rules and distinguish a legal push of the pile from direct contact that materially assists a runner’s forward progress. In Weekly Dozen 2026, Episode 3, Mark Bradley reviews plays from Colorado Springs games through September 13, 2026. This episode examines helping the runner, illegal formations, personal fouls after turnovers, illegal forward passes, kick-catching interference, and five-person officiating mechanics. Topics include: • Distinguishing helping the runner from legally pushing the pile • Recognizing direct contact that materially assists forward progress • Enforcing a helping-the-runner foul from the correct basic spot • Identifying legal contact that does not assist the runner • Wing mechanics when the ball is near the line to gain or goal line • Applying NFHS definitions of linemen and backs to unusual formations • Maintaining awareness of illegal contact behind a turnover return • Recognizing unnecessary personal fouls away from the ball • Staying connected during scrimmage-kick returns • Identifying an illegal forward pass thrown to conserve yardage • Using specific crew communication to locate eligible receivers • Kick-catching interference, first touching, and Team R’s enforcement options • Reaching the line to gain and goal line before the ball arrives These plays are from games officiated in Colorado Springs and reference the Colorado five-person mechanics manual, rules interpretations, and modifications. Officials in other states should consult their state association’s mechanics manual and interpretations when procedures differ. If these breakdowns help you, please like the video, subscribe to the Art of Officiating channel, and share the Weekly Dozen with other football officials. More high school football officiating resources: artofofficiating.com Have an interesting or unusual play to share? [email protected] If you'd like to support the upkeep of Art of Officiating, please consider purchasing a coin toss coin. All proceeds support server costs and website maintenance. https://artofofficiating.com/high-sch... #NFHSFootball #FootballOfficiating #WeeklyDozen