What must a player do to be considered a legal runner?

To be considered a legal runner in football, a player must possess the ball without being touched. This means that the player must have control of the ball and must not be held or contacted by an opponent, which would otherwise stop their advancement. This rule is crucial as having possession is what enables the player to progress the ball down the field, and it establishes their status to either attempt to advance or to be legally tackled.

The other options do not accurately capture the requirements for a legal runner. Simply taking a certain number of steps, being free from an opponent’s grasp, or holding the ball above one’s head does not necessarily signify that the player is a legal runner. Each of these actions could occur under conditions that do not constitute legal possession, which is the fundamental requirement for a player to be recognized as a legal runner.