Is face tackling legal?

[ajmc]

In all 3 variations of "Illegal Helmet Contact", the key verbiage is, "initiates contact" with the front, or top, of the helmet. It's not rocket science, when these rules were created it was in response to an increase is very serious injuries to TACKLERS who were using their heads improperly.

The value of the rule is not measured by how many players are caught violating the rule, but in how effectively coaches teach players to avoid using the head improperly when making a tackle. Someone teaching aiming the head at center of mass to make a tackle, but simply relying on cautioning them to avoid making the initial contact with the head or face, is like handing a child a loaded gun, and cautioning them to be very careful.

When the gun goes off, hiding behind a vague note of caution, doesn't provide very much cover. It won't work well when a player winds up in a wheelchair either. Coaching is teaching and in some respects there is significant responsibility and liability related to not only what is taught, but what is learned as well.

When these rules were presented, the problem was considered serious enough to suggest a warning that if the problem didn't reduce sufficiently in the first two years, serious consideration would be given to an alternate suggestion of removing face masks from all helmets as a way of deterring use of the head as a weapon.

[mikesears]

What is the proper technique for tackling?

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by mikesears

What is the proper technique for tackling?

NFHS: 2-42 covers it pretty well, "Tackling is the use of hands, arms, legs or body by a defensive player in his attemptto hold a runner or bring hime to the ground.

NFHS: 2-20, "Illegal Helmet contact" expands on that to prohibit using the fron, or top, of the helmet as part of the process.

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by KWH

Where did this come from?

During the "runup" to the creation of the "spearing" penalty, which was the first of the illegal helmet related penalty situations to be implemented, there was considerable discussion about how to correct the problem.

When "spearing" was announced and defined it was announced as a temporary measure whose effect on results would determine if additional action was necessary.

Removal of face maskes was included as one of the more severe possible remedies if "spearing" and revised coaching habits did not reduce risk. subsequently "Face Tackling" and "Butt blocking" were specified and added to the prohibited lists

[Mike L]

Does anyone seriously think they are going to remove face masks or, even sillier, go back to leather helmets? I mean really?

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by Mike L

Does anyone seriously think they are going to remove face masks or, even sillier, go back to leather helmets? I mean really?

It seemed like a really radical suggestion back in the 1970s as well, but it got a lot of people's attention focused on the problem of serious head and spinal injuries.

The subsequent revising of the the teaching of some particularly dangerous tackling techniques, that were gaining popularity in that era, worked well enough to reduce the problem far enough that creation of the "spearing" penalty and subsequent expansion of "Face Teckling" and "butt blocking" were deemed sufficient rule expansions.

[Ed Hickland]

Originally Posted by ajmc

It seemed like a really radical suggestion back in the 1970s as well, but it got a lot of people's attention focused on the problem of serious head and spinal injuries.

The subsequent revising of the the teaching of some particularly dangerous tackling techniques, that were gaining popularity in that era, worked well enough to reduce the problem far enough that creation of the "spearing" penalty and subsequent expansion of "Face Teckling" and "butt blocking" were deemed sufficient rule expansions.

Can't believe it but for once I'm going to agree with Al.

Face masks were considered dangerous back in the late 60s because they were a lever that if pushed up with enough force could cause severe damage to the vertebra leading to spinal cord damage.

I witnessed such a tackle in 1968 and went to the funeral of a college player who I knew in 1967.

The response was a better design incorporating chin straps, better fit and padding on the lower back part of the helmet.