Lost Helmet Question

[doctord23]

NFHS rules: We had our running back lose his helmet as he was being tackled. He was downed at the 25 yard line. The ball was spotted at the 28 1/2 yard line (about the point where the helmet started coming off). There was no whistle to indicate the play stopped prior to the final downed position. Is this a bad spot or not?

[RazorRef]

Can't say for certain since I didn't see the play, but in Fed, the ball is dead as soon as the helmet comes off. The no whistle doesn't matter (even though there should be one), because it's dead by rule.

[LDUB]

Originally Posted by doctord23

NFHS rules: We had our running back lose his helmet as he was being tackled. He was downed at the 25 yard line. The ball was spotted at the 28 1/2 yard line (about the point where the helmet started coming off). There was no whistle to indicate the play stopped prior to the final downed position. Is this a bad spot or not?

The whistle seldom makes the ball dead. The action on the field makes the ball dead.

[doctord23]

In this case the helmet starts to come off on intitial contact at the 28. The back falls forward to the 25 without the helmet. Where is the proper spot? Can someone give me a rule section? Thanks.

[JRutledge]

All the rule says is the ball is dead when the helmet comes off of the ball carrier. I do not recall that the rule splits hairs with "when it starts coming off" as compared to when the helmet actually came off. This is a judgment call like many that we have to make. The only way someone can know for sure is to see the play at hand, and even then there is some judgment involved.

Peace