New helmet rule

[bigjohn]

SITUATION 1 (3.5.10): Team A has the ball, 1st and 10 at A’s 20-yard line. A31 is carrying the ball when B33 lowers his head and strikes A31 helmet to helmet trying to make the tackle. The contact makes the helmets for both A31 and B33 come completely off with A31 in possession of the ball at A’s 26-yard line. RULING: The ball is dead immediately due to the helmet coming off the runner. B33 is penalized 15 yards for illegal helmet contact making it 1st and 10 at A’s 41-yard line. A31 may remain in the game due to the opponent foul. B33 must leave the game for one play as A31 did not foul and B33's helmet came off during the down. (3-5-10d; 4-2-2k; 9-4-3i)


If no foul is called, both players must leave the game for one play though, correct?

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by bigjohn

If no foul is called, both players must leave the game for one play though, correct?

Correct. 3-5-10d

[MD Longhorn]

I almost always have the following question on these plays...

If B's helmet hit A's helmet --- didn't A's helmet hit B's helmet? If B lowered himself to lead with his helmet, and hit A's helmet, wasn't A also lowering himself and leading with his helmet?

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

I almost always have the following question on these plays...

If B's helmet hit A's helmet --- didn't A's helmet hit B's helmet? If B lowered himself to lead with his helmet, and hit A's helmet, wasn't A also lowering himself and leading with his helmet?

Not necessarily; I'd say not even usually.

[jchamp]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

I almost always have the following question on these plays...

If B's helmet hit A's helmet --- didn't A's helmet hit B's helmet? If B lowered himself to lead with his helmet, and hit A's helmet, wasn't A also lowering himself and leading with his helmet?

A is running south-to-north (12 o'clock).
B is running northwest-to-southeast (5 o'clock).
They collide. If:
1) A makes no attempt to avoid the collision, and B lowers his shoulder into A, first making contact with pad onto torso, we have a perfectly legitimate tackle--B chose to attack A in the chest.
2) A makes no attempt to avoid the collision, and B lowers the crown of his helmet such that his helmet first makes contact with A, you have spearing on B. B chose to hit A with his own helmet, A chose to play football.
3) A makes no attempt to avoid the collision, and B leads with his shoulder such that his shoulder first makes contact with A's helmet, you have a illegal helmet contact on B. B chose to attack A's head. A chose to play football.
4) A makes no attempt to avoid the collision, and B lowers the crown of his helmet such that his helmet first makes contact with A's helmet, you have a helmet-to-helmet hit on B. B chose to attack A's head. A chose to play football.
5) A turns his head and shoulders towards B, lowering the crown of his head into B, and B lowers the crown of his helmet into A, then we have helmet-to-helmet hits on A and B. Both players chose to make contact using their heads.

There have been really good mechanics videos floating around that highlight the differences. But even though A's helmet MUST TOUCH B's helmet for helmet-to-helmet contact to occur does not mean that A moved his helmet into B's helmet. Depending on A's action, there may or may not be a foul on each player.

Under lights, helmets that are shined so as to produce a specular reflection make it easier, because you can actually see a "halo" of lights on the top of a helmet when the crown is lowered enough. If the player voluntarily moved the helmet into that position then you have one of the elements for a foul.

[DLH17]

Originally Posted by bigjohn

SITUATION 1 (3.5.10): Team A has the ball, 1st and 10 at A’s 20-yard line. A31 is carrying the ball when B33 lowers his head and strikes A31 helmet to helmet trying to make the tackle. The contact makes the helmets for both A31 and B33 come completely off with A31 in possession of the ball at A’s 26-yard line. RULING: The ball is dead immediately due to the helmet coming off the runner. B33 is penalized 15 yards for illegal helmet contact making it 1st and 10 at A’s 41-yard line. A31 may remain in the game due to the opponent foul. B33 must leave the game for one play as A31 did not foul and B33's helmet came off during the down. (3-5-10d; 4-2-2k; 9-4-3i)


If no foul is called, both players must leave the game for one play though, correct?

Does that mean the officials whistle the play dead and bean bag the spot (A's 26) where the helmet came off the runner?

[tjones1]

Originally Posted by DLH17

Does that mean the officials whistle the play dead and bean bag the spot (A's 26) where the helmet came off the runner?

Why would you bean bag this spot?

[DLH17]

Originally Posted by tjones1

Why would you bean bag this spot?

I'm not saying I would or wouldn't. I'm asking if it is something that should be done.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by DLH17

I'm not saying I would or wouldn't. I'm asking if it is something that should be done.

Yes. You bean bag this spot just like you bean bag the spot the play ends on other plays.

Ask yourself ... why do you bag a spot. That should answer your question.

[jTheUmp]

Keep in mind that a player can be fouled, and have his helmet come off, and still have to come out of the game for one play.

For example:
A55 clips B70. B70 falls to the ground, which causes B70's helmet to come off.

Even though B70 was fouled, the foul was not what caused B70's helmet to come off, so B70 still needs to sit out a play.

[DLH17]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

Yes. You bean bag this spot just like you bean bag the spot the play ends on other plays.

Ask yourself ... why do you bag a spot. That should answer your question.

Thanks, Mike.