Nfl rule book on hitting a defenseless receiver

Northwestern head football coach pat fitzgerald recognizes the wellbeing of college football players is a priority, and agrees with the new ncaa rule designed to eliminate headhunting. Is there really such thing as a defenseless receiver. Rule 12, section 2, article 8 in the 2010 nfl rule book was talked about in length this morning as nfl v. I know you can define a defenseless player in a rule book but the longer a rule is, the harder it probably is to remember it while running. See specific fumble, pass, or kick rules and especially 621. Oct, 2009 nfl penalties hurt the integrity of the nfl. Forcibly hitting the defenseless players head or neck area with the helmet, facemask, forearm, or shoulder, regardless of whether the defensive player also uses his arms to. The problem is that the rule itself is not enforced regularly enough or consistently enough to make it effective. Sportsfootball interrupter new 2018 prep football referee.

Dec 09, 2015 the nfl s catch rule is better than you think new, 38 comments the nfl has done a good job this season of consistently applying its wellfound catch rule, even if many fans dont like it. Youre calling for a more stringent rule that would be called more often than the nfl does. The nfl and ncaa rule books set quarter lengths at 15 minutes. Here is the wording from the nfl rulebook, examples and player reaction. Aug 26, 2014 battle red blog examines the issue and the application of the defenseless player rule. Oct 19, 2010 rule 12, section 2, article 8 in the 2010 nfl rule book was talked about in length this morning as nfl v. Nfls new helmet rule causes confusion, outrage during cardinalschargers game. This edition of the official playing rules of the national football league contains all current rules governing the playing of professional football that are in effect for the 2017 nfl season. A receiver attempting to catch a pass who has not had time to clearly become a runner. Its almost as if the nfl knows everyone is going to this page to check up on this specific case. Jan 19, 2020 jackson was a runner and thus did not have protection as a quarterback, nor did he have protection as a defenseless player. Heres the section in the nfl rulebook on unnecessary roughness. That hit to dez bryants helmet was not illegal nfl. In an attempt to address this, the nfl and ncaa have implemented.

Tennessee proposed a rule change that would allow referees to enforce a foul for an illegal hit against a defenseless receiver when the onfield ruling is reversed from a catchfumble to an. Those protect a player in a defenseless posture, such as a. Why are referees calling defenseless receiver penalties so. Aug 10, 2010 todays rule involves the ban on hitting defenseless players. Welcome to the extra point, where members of the nfl s football data and analytics team will share updates on leaguewide trends in football data, interesting visualizations that showcase innovative ways to use the leagues data, and provide an inside look at how the nfl uses datadriven insight to improve and monitor player and team performance. Some of the sports purists have critiques and questions. Its smart for the nfl to continue to make the rules widely available, even.

But in general the benefits of most of the helmet to helmet calls outweigh the few flubs that they miss. The following is taken from the 2011 nfl rule book pages 7374 and defines players who are in a defenseless posture. The gist is that hitting a defenseless player in the. Defenseless player rule could include receivers running routes. In recent years the nfl has done more and more to prevent these hits first prohibiting hits. The nfl rule book constantly evolving rule changes in the nfl have been made throughout the history of the nfl to improve the game, make it more exciting and reduce the risk of injury. A defenseless player is defined as a player who, because of his physical position and focus of concentration, is especially vulnerable to injury nfhs 23216. This edition of the official playing rules of the national football league contains all current rules governing the playing of professional football that are in effect for the 2019 nfl season. I think the nfl has gone too far especially with the concept of a defenseless receiver, the league clearly made the. It is an illegal hit on a defenseless receiver if the initial force of the contact by the defenders helmet, forearm or shoulder is to the head or neck. The material is also covered in the 2011 league policies for players manual, distributed to all players in training camp. What the nfl rulebook says about the hit by terence garvin.

Nfl communications definition of a defenseless player. Nfls new helmethitting rule is in place, but will it have the desired. Mar 31, 2018 the nfl owners approved a rule that will change hitting in football. Rules defining a defenseless player were expanded to include eight categories. The nfl rule says you cant lead with the helmet or hit the head of a defenseless player. The nfl targeting rule for players helmets changed in 2018. Questionable 2019 nfl playoff officiating decisions what. A receiver running a pass route when the defender approaches from the side or behind. The receiver position has evolved greatly over the past 80 years, since the nfl ruled in 1933 that forward passes could be thrown from anywhere behind the line of scrimmage. The nfl rule book clearly states that, in order for contact against a defenseless player to be illegal, it must be an instance where a player is forcibly hitting the head or neck area with. Nfl attempts to clarify the defenseless player rules profootballtalk.

Nov 01, 2012 giants antrel rolle thinks nfl rules rendered him defenseless. The brief excerpt is of the texanscolts game held on september 11, 2011. Is there really such thing as a defenseless receiver back to top. In the end zone, the same action is a touchdown, since the receiver completed the catch beyond the goal line prior to the loss of possession, and the ball is dead when the catch is completed. It was intended to protect the receivers from injury. The nfl owners approved a rule that will change hitting in football. If the player is capable of avoiding or warding off the impending contact of an opponent, he is no longer a defenseless player. Nfl sets new definition for controversial catch rule the. Battle red blog examines the issue and the application of the defenseless player rule. Unsportsmanlike conduct, discussed previously in this section and detailed in rule 12, section 3 of the official playing rules of the national football league nfl rule book, is a foul under. Mar 20, 2018 seeking to silence a near constant debate over what defines a catch, the nfl will eliminate the requirement that a receiver must maintain possession after controlling the ball and hitting the turf. T he ncaa introduced the concept of a defenseless player in 2008, at the same time the first targeting rule was adopted.

Jackson was a runner and thus did not have protection as a quarterback, nor did he have protection as a defenseless player. The new helmethitting rule comes in addition to the nfls defenselessplayer rules. Rule 12, section 2, article 8 unnecessary roughness in the nfl rulebook. The nfls catch rule is better than you think new, 38 comments the nfl has done a good job this season of consistently applying its wellfound catch rule, even if many fans dont like it. Jan 04, 2012 all season, ive been semiconfused by commentators responses to personal foul flags for hits on defenseless receivers. A defensive player must not use his helmet against a passer who is in a defenseless posturefor example, 1 forcibly hitting the. The vontaze burfict rule is a confusing mess deadspin.

The final piece that would make college footballs targeting rule a part of the nfl. Giants antrel rolle thinks nfl rules rendered him defenseless. The nfl rule book constantly evolving nfl football on. Nfls new helmet rule causes confusion, outrage during. The nfls new rule against using the helmet during a tackle came to light during the cardinalschargers game. As tony romo, the dallas cowboys quarterback, dropped back to pass last sunday in an n. The nfl owners approved new rules to further protect defenseless players at their meetings in indianapolis. A player in the act of or just after throwing a pass. Aug 03, 2018 the nfl targeting rule for players helmets changed in 2018.

The nfls decision to suspend bengals linebacker vontaze burfict five games for his illegal hit on chiefs fullback anthony sherman resulted from a new rule that will also be a point of emphasis. Member clubs of the league may amend the rules from time to time, pursuant to the applicable voting procedures of the nfl constitution and bylaws. Sep 12, 2011 purpose of video is to facilitate a discussion of the nfl defenseless player rules. I think the nfl has gone too far especially with the concept of a defenseless receiver, the league clearly made the right decision in 2005.

Football is evolving and those overseeing the sport are recognizing it needs to be made safer for the wellbeing of its players. Rule 12 player conduct section 1 blocking, use of hands, arms, and body legal and illegal block article 1 a player of either team may block obstruct or impede an opponent at any time, provided that. Aug 21, 2018 football is evolving and those overseeing the sport are recognizing it needs to be made safer for the wellbeing of its players. New ncaa rule protects defenseless players college football. An overview of nfl rule changes focused on protecting players over the past 30 years. A receiver is considered a player in a defenseless posture see rule 12, section 2, article 9 throughout the entire process of the catch and until the player is capable of avoiding or warding off the impending contact of an opponent. It is a foul if a player initiates unnecessary contact against a player who is in a defenseless posture. Still, the nfl rule book considers it to be unnecessary roughness if a. The result is that fans and players alike are left questioning what the rule is for defenseless receiver. For all its flaws, the prior version of the catch rule created a sense of symmetry with the rule against hitting defenseless receivers in the head or neck area.

Seeking to silence a near constant debate over what defines a catch, the nfl will eliminate the requirement that a receiver must maintain possession after. This rule also encompasses hits on defenseless receivers. The rule was created at the nfl owners meeting after the 2008 season. Nfl attempts to clarify the defenseless player rules. All season, ive been semiconfused by commentators responses to personal foul flags for hits on defenseless receivers. Dec 16, 20 there is still a lot of discussion about whether or not the hit made by pittsburgh steelers linebacker terence garvin on cincinnati bengals punter kevin huber during the first quarter punt return. There is still a lot of discussion about whether or not the hit made by pittsburgh steelers linebacker terence garvin on cincinnati bengals punter kevin huber during the first quarter punt return. Nfl s new helmet rule causes confusion, outrage during cardinalschargers game. Purpose of video is to facilitate a discussion of the nfl defenseless player rules. New catch rule creates defenseless receiver donut hole. It is an illegal hit on a defenseless receiver if the initial force of the contact by the defenders. Gives a receiver running a pass route defenseless player protection. Dec 27, 2011 nfl attempts to clarify the defenseless player rules. The nfl altered or added a handful of new rules to the the rules book while at the annual nfl owners meetings in phoenix arizona this past week.

Where the word illegal appears in this rule book, it is an institutional term of art pertaining strictly to actions that violate nfl playing rules. I know you can define a defenseless player in a rule book but the longer a rule is, the harder it. Nfl rule book 2010 rule 12, section 2, article 8 steelers. Mar 22, 2018 t he ncaa introduced the concept of a defenseless player in 2008, at the same time the first targeting rule was adopted. And since it is a subjective call with no way to use instant replay to either make the call or undo the call, it is an imperfect rule. Still, the nfl rule book considers it to be unnecessary roughness if a player is running, diving into, or throwing the body against or. Marquel wade gets an illegal hit on jonathan krause youtube. What the nfl rulebook says about the hit by terence garvin on. The intended receiver of a pass in the action during and immediately following an interception or potential interception. New ncaa rule protects defenseless players college. Mar 26, 2015 the nfl altered or added a handful of new rules to the the rules book while at the annual nfl owners meetings in phoenix arizona this past week. I shouldnt have to open my pdf file of the nfl rulebook every time i watch an nfl game, and neither.

If the receiver becomes a blocker or assumes a blocking posture, he is. The nfl rule book is getting to be heavier and more complicated than the. In recent years the nfl has done more and more to prevent these hits first prohibiting hits on defenseless wrs, then certain blocks on. Refs are now hyperaware of the defenseless player rule because the nfl is being sued in a way that could threaten the league as we know it, and its going to need all the help it can get convincing a jury that it cares about player safety. Nov 30, 2010 unsportsmanlike conduct, discussed previously in this section and detailed in rule 12, section 3 of the official playing rules of the national football league nfl rule book, is a foul under. Aug 25, 2018 for all its flaws, the prior version of the catch rule created a sense of symmetry with the rule against hitting defenseless receivers in the head or neck area. Todays rule involves the ban on hitting defenseless players. The nfl s new rule against using the helmet during a tackle came to light during the cardinalschargers game. A receiver attempting to catch a forward pass or in position to receive a backward pass, or one who has completed a catch and has not had time to protect himself or has not clearly become a ball carrier. It is not meant to connote illegality under any public law. Nfl health and safety related rules changes since 2002 nfl. Forcibly hitting the defenseless players head or neck area with the helmet, facemask.

It is an illegal hit on a defenseless receiver if the initial force of the contact by the defenders helmet, forearm, or shoulder is to the head or neck area of the receiver. Heres an overview of nfl rule changes focused on protecting player health and safety over the past 30 years. The nfl video rulebook explains nfl rules with video examples. Jon gruden epitomizes the old school idiot camp that never read the new rules and doesnt care about safety thats just a great football play, these players are taught. However, the two codes utilize the definition of a defenseless player differently. Jan 18, 2015 as tony romo, the dallas cowboys quarterback, dropped back to pass last sunday in an n. How wide receivers have evolved in the nfl the boston globe. Supplemental notes are often used for the same purpose 333. If the receiver becomes a blocker or assumes a blocking posture, he is no longer a defenseless player.