IHC on offense?

[bigjohn]

TM vs Ariton 9/7/13 Highlight of the Game - YouTube

[MD Longhorn]

What's the question?

[bigjohn]

the title of the post, do you think this is Illegal helmet contact on the QB??

[MD Longhorn]

Sorry - couldn't guess your acronym.

And no.

[bigjohn]

CONTACT BOTH TO AND WITH THE HELMET
Over the years the NFHS Football Rules Committee has repeatedly emphasized the need
to keep the HEAD OUT OF FOOTBALL, due to the potential for catastrophic head and neck
injuries. Some form of helmet review or illegal helmet contact emphasis has been specifically
targeted by the committee in its publications for review by coaches and officials 22
times since 1980. In the past few years, all levels of football have increased the focus on
decreasing the risk of concussion, and it is widely conceded that one of the biggest steps
in this effort is to eliminate direct helmet-to-helmet contact and any other contact both by
and to the helmet.
Any initiation of contact with the helmet is illegal; therefore, there must be a focus on
enforcing the existing rules. This year, the committee is taking the step to emphasize all
types of illegal helmet contact:
• Spearing – an act by an offensive or defensive player who initiates contact against any
opponent with the top of his helmet.
• Face Tackling – an act by a defensive player who initiates contact with a runner with
the front of his helmet.
• Butt Blocking – an act by an offensive or defensive player who initiates contact against
an opponent who is not a runner with the front of his helmet.
The committee is encouraging a renewed emphasis by both coaches and officials on
other types of contact with and to the helmet, which are prohibited by the existing three
rules cited above, as well as the unnecessary roughness provisions of Rule 9, which
include:
• Blows to the Head by the Defender – Any act by a defensive player using the hand(s)
to slap the opponent’s head is illegal. A blocker may not initiate contact with his arm or
hand against an opponent above the opponent’s shoulder.
• Initiating Contact to the Head – It is illegal for a member of either team to use any other
part of the body or equipment to initiate contact to the head. Contact to the helmet of
another player could be one of the three specific illegal helmet contact fouls, or it could
also be a personal foul for unnecessary roughness as defined by Rule 9-4-3g. This is
not limited to acts by the defense (such as the defensive back making the “big hit” on
the receiver, or the linebacker making the blow against a back out of the backfield), but
such prohibition against contact to the helmet extends to all players on all parts of the
field. When in doubt, it should be a foul.
• Helmet-to-Helmet Contact – Particularly in light of the recent RIO data findings, initiated
acts of helmet-to-helmet contact must be penalized when they occur in contests,
and must be corrected immediately if observed in practice. Contact initiated by one
2011 NFHS Football Rules Page 84
player with the helmet to the helmet of another player could be one of the three specific
illegal helmet contact fouls, or it could also be a personal foul for unnecessary roughness
as defined by Rule 9-4-3g. While inadvertent contact between helmets may occur
in close line play or as players are closely engaged, all involved must be aware when
the proverbial “line has been crossed,” and an illegal act has occurred. When in doubt,
it should be ruled a foul.
• Making Initial Contact with the Defender while Running with the Head Down – This
act by the runner lowering his helmet to spear an opponent is not legal per Rule 9-4-3i,
but needs special emphasis to help with risk minimization.
The illegal acts noted above have no place in the game, and the committee believes that
renewed emphasis on getting illegal acts out of the game will improve player safety. When
in doubt, these acts should be viewed as illegal.

[JRutledge]

Is there a question?

Peace

[bisonlj]

Definitely something to look at but this is not the type of action the helmet contact rules are trying to eliminate. And I'm somebody who wants to see more IHC calls made. This is two players colliding and their helmets contact. There was nothing "punishing" about what the runner did with his helmet.

I'm more concerned about the apparently missed DB PF by A14 behind the play. The wing official won't see that because it's behind him but the R should see this.

[Suudy]

Nice stiff arm!

[bigjohn]

QB drops his head and makes contact with helmet!

[JRutledge]

I saw no such foul. I did see a block in the back or dead ball personal foul near the sideline. Not sure what the R was looking at. But then again this is youth football and fewer officials so not surprised this was missed on some level.

Dropping your head does not mean it is a foul either. I thought he was stiff arming as well.

Peace

[jTheUmp]

No illegal helmet contact foul.

Dead-ball PF on White #14 just after the touchdown.

[MD Longhorn]

Big John, this is why still photos are worthless. Given just the photo there, I can see why one might think this is illegal. Given the video, though --- it's not even remotely close.

And while I know you're one for pushing the envelope ... I'm honestly kind of surprised you would think this one was illegal.

PS - posting a ton of words doesn't make you more right.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by jTheUmp

Dead-ball PF on White #14 just after the touchdown.

Absolutely. Hopefully in 3-man, ref is trailing and catches this.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

Absolutely. Hopefully in 3-man, ref is trailing and catches this.

Those of us who will work 3-man.

Even our youth ball is 4 here. I've haven't worked 3-man in years.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Rich

Those of us who will work 3-man.

Even our youth ball is 4 here. I've haven't worked 3-man in years.

Heck then 2 man would blow your mind.

Well I have worked 3 man and not sure why this would not have been called. And the game at that level is so slow it should have jumped out at you from the Referee position for sure.

Peace