Helmet comes off receiver...

[NM_Ref]

I know that the ball becomes dead at the spot the helmet comes off the runner ...

We had a situation come up at our meeting, this didn't happen just talking about it. Let's say the receiver and defender get caught up at the line and the receivers helmet comes off. The receiver sheds the defender and runs his route where the QB completes a pass to him. Assuming there were no penalties that caused the helmet to come off, what is done?

Is he eligible to catch the pass and it's dead at the point of reception?

[JRutledge]

Ball would be dead once he catches the ball. There is no justification to kill the play before that time.

Peace

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by NM_Ref

I know that the ball becomes dead at the spot the helmet comes off the runner ...

We had a situation come up at our meeting, this didn't happen just talking about it. Let's say the receiver and defender get caught up at the line and the receivers helmet comes off. The receiver sheds the defender and runs his route where the QB completes a pass to him. Assuming there were no penalties that caused the helmet to come off, what is done?

Is he eligible to catch the pass and it's dead at the point of reception?

CANADIAN RULING:

Safety always comes first. If your ruling is based on that, then that is final.

In the Cdn NCAA, our directive is that a participant's helmet coming off does not kill the play unless it's the ball carrier or a nearby participant. Only if the participant is away from the play does the play become dead.

[ljudge]

JRutledge got it and I agree. Now we've all seen those plays where a receiver catches the ball and is immediately tackled. Imagine a defender's helmet coming into contact with the receiver and breaking his jaw. More than likely this will somehow land an official in a courtroom.