Understanding Hard-Hitting Rules

Im pretty certain the helmet to helmet rule is for any tackle.


So I put pretty certain and pretty sure above in italics because ive searched hard and cant find the definition of these rules anywhere. Anyone have them or know where to get them? This a HUGE part of the problem......

im pretty certain helmet to helmet is fine if it is on an established runner.

i looked at nfl.com, the rule books, digest and surprising found nothing explaining it or laying out the exact language of the rule. . . im sure it is some where . .probably an espn artilce detailing the news rules and emphasis.

No, it kinda is the point.

If the integrity of the game was truly being ruined, people would tune out.

So you like watching all these ticky tack personal foul calls? Wow.

So you like watching all these ticky tack personal foul calls? Wow.

Huh? I never said that.

Despite the ticky tack fouls as you say, I'm still watching, you're still watching, and so are millions of others.

So how much impact do these fouls really have on the so called integrity of the game??

Not sure anyone remembers this....In a pre season game a Jacksonville rookie hit Chad Johnson. Clean hit, Johnson even said so after the game. Not only was it a god awful call but the guy got fined and he hadn't even made the team yet. I think the guy ended up making the practice squad but he still has to pay this big fine and it was a large part of his salary. If this isn't ruining the integrity of the game then I don't know what is....the essence of what defensive football is all about....getting a big hit and trying to seperate the offensive player from the ball.

Huh? I never said that.

Despite the ticky tack fouls as you say, I'm still watching, you're still watching, and so are millions of others.

So how much impact do these fouls really have on the so called integrity of the game??

I'm just asking you a question. Does it bother you when you see a ticky tack call that could potentially have impact on a game?

I'm just asking you a question. Does it bother you when you see a ticky tack call that could potentially have impact on a game?

Nobody likes a bad call period... but at the same time I think we just have to accept this is the route the league is going and it's not going to change. It's not perfect, but letting guys get blown up the old way wasn't right either.

im pretty sure you can hit a running back or any established runner helmet to helmet.

the helmet to helmet rules apply to defenseless players only i think (players with ball who havent established themselves as runners)

as to qbs you cant hit them at the knees or below if you have an unobstructed path (seems real vague to me), you cant touch their head/helmet with any part of your body and im still trying to figure out if you cant lead with your helmet anywhere on a qb.

ps - the rules for defenders is almost impossible for them to comply with all the time, the game is just too fast, players move/lower their head at the last second before impact changing where the defender's intended point of impact . . . its just become impossible really.

I agree...and if you have a rule that is impossible to comply with in any situation then your rule is crap. To me it simply is not fair to ask the defense to allow for something to happen that they are specifically on the field to prevent. Allowing a "defenseless" WR to catch a ball and establish himself is telling the defense "don't do your job" of defending the field. And it is also rife with other concerns that others have pointed out. Quite frankly I see the benefits of said rule being somewhat bogus too.

The rule should be no direct and primary contact to the helmet of any kind, for any player on the field at any time. ie: you directly hit a guy in the helmet with your shoulder (or any body part)...penalty. you hit a guy in the shoulder with your shoulder (or any body part) and your helmets bump...clean. And the caveat is that the offensive player can make no motion to put their helmet in harms way. ie: if they duct their head into direct h2h contact then it's clean.

Honestly if they don't want to get hurt being in "defenseless" position...they just shouldn't get into defenseless position. Why is that notion not ever discussed? Everyone talks constantly about how it is the defenders responsibility to be less reckless...but shouldn't the offensive player be at least as responsible?

Nobody likes a bad call period... but at the same time I think we just have to accept this is the route the league is going and it's not going to change. It's not perfect, but letting guys get blown up the old way wasn't right either.

Why? We can't be bothered by it? I mean I am way over representing my concerns with it since I don't really care as much (specifically about this hit and this issue) as my frequent posting in this thread would indicate. I am more concerned about the trend here and where this is all going.

Why? We can't be bothered by it? I mean I am way over representing my concerns with it since I don't really care as much (specifically about this hit and this issue) as my frequent posting in this thread would indicate. I am more concerned about the trend here and where this is all going.

I think you can accept it while still not liking it. At least that's where I'm at.

I'm kinda with you, I really don't care a ton about this either overall.

Where is this thing trending to in your opinion? They changed the kickoff rule, but has that really had a big impact so far?

And the caveat is that the offensive player can make no motion to put their helmet in harms way. ie: if they duct their head into direct h2h contact then it's clean.



i could see that being a consideration by the league as to any fine or what amount. its real tough when a receiver drops his head at the last second but at game speed, if its H2H on a defenseless receiver, its going to be called.

like it has been said, its just the way the game is going and we have to accept it.

now the one penalty i do have a problem with is when they call the 15 yard personal foul on ever so slight contact to a qbs helmet. the qb releases the ball as a defender puts his hands up to try and deflect the ball, his hands ever so slightly graces the qbs helment . .flag, 15 yards . .the refs should have discretion to only call that when there is solid contact imo.