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. Jan 04, 2012 all season, ive been semiconfused by commentators responses to personal foul flags for hits on defenseless receivers. Sep 12, 2011 purpose of video is to facilitate a discussion of the nfl defenseless player rules. All season, ive been semiconfused by commentators responses to personal foul flags for hits on defenseless receivers. Aug 26, 2014 the nfl needs to reconsider the rootcause, and application of rules, related to defenseless players, combined with the reality of what is possible for adherence of rules by defensive players. A receiver attempting to catch a pass who has not had time to clearly become a runner. Jun 29, 2011 while, 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 by outlawing the horse collar tackle and by. Targeting is the safety foul introduced in college football to protect defenseless players from contact to their headneck or from players hitting with the crown of their helmet. In recent years the nfl has done more and more to prevent these hits first prohibiting hits. Oct, 2009 roughing the passer, pass interference, hitting a defenseless receiver, and if all else fails maybe the receiver would actually catch the ball. The 2009 nfl season was the 90th season in the history of the national football league. 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 cant remember which game it was in yesterday, but it happened on a play where the receiver leapedstretched for a ball and was running with his head in a much lower spot than normal after the catch, when the defender hit him split second in a spot that would normally be the body but ended up being helmet to helmet because the.
The rules concerning a forward pass and ineligible receivers. The nfl targeting rule for players helmets changed in 2018. Thats because, in a 1973 playoff game, the miami dolphins roughed up curtis, star rookie receiver for the cincinnati bengals, and limited him to one catch for 9 yards in miamis 3416. The first problem i have with this controversy is with the nfls rule of a defenseless receiver. The nfl also simplified its catch rule, outlining three requirements to complete the process of a catch control of the ball, two feet down or another body part down and making a football move. Purpose of video is to facilitate a discussion of the nfl defenseless player rules. A player in the act of or just after throwing a pass. The nfl matching its allimportant catch rule with the evermoreimportant defenselessplayer rule. 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. Some of the helmet to helmet defenseless calls i think are bad. 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 to drive through the receiver, but mike. It was intended to protect the receivers from injury. It is an illegal hit on a defenseless receiver if the initial force of the contact by.
Nfl attempts to clarify the defenseless player rules profootballtalk. New rules made with player safety, quarterbacks in mind. The nfl and ncaa rule books set quarter lengths at 15 minutes. Since 2008, the committee has implemented rules to prohibit forcible contact using the helmet and target defenseless opponents. A brief history of nfl rule changes allegedly ruining football. In zimmermans book the new thinking mans guide to pro. The nfl video rulebook explains nfl rules with video examples. That includes defensive pass interference and holding, but the major foul to. In 20, it became an ejectionable offense, in addition to incurring. The rule is very simple, you cant hit a defenseless receiver in the head. The vontaze burfict rule is a confusing mess deadspin. All offensive players other than those identified in article 5 above are ineligible to catch a legal or illegal forward pass thrown from behind. It is a foul if a player initiates unnecessary contact against a player who is in a defenseless posture.
Aug 25, 2018 if the defenseless receiver rules applied back in the 80s and 90s, guys like marino and montana would have averaged 60 touchdowns a year, easy. When the nfl changed its rules in 1974 to restrict defenders downfield contact with receivers, some people referred to them as the isaac curtis rules. That includes defensive pass interference and holding, but the. The gist is that hitting a defenseless player in the head or neck area is illegal. The nfl rule book constantly evolving nfl football on ihavenet. What exactly are the nfls new targeting rules about hitting. Through rules changes, stricter enforcement, and player fines and suspensions, the n. The rule was created at the nfl owners meeting after the 2008 season. Some of the sports purists have critiques and questions. While, 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 by outlawing the horse collar tackle and by. That hit to dez bryants helmet was not illegal nfl. That hit to dez bryants helmet was not illegal nfl nation. Rule 12, section 2, article 8 in the 2010 nfl rule book was talked about in length this morning as nfl v. Mar 26, 2015 the player hitting the defenseless receiver will receive a 15 yard penalty but the interception will continue to stand.
Nfl rules provide special protection to defenseless players, by prohibiting a hits delivered to their head or neck area by an opponent with his helmet including facemask, forearm, or shoulder. The brief excerpt is of the texanscolts game held on september 11, 2011. The nfl rule book is getting to be heavier and more complicated than the. Aug 10, 2010 todays rule involves the ban on hitting defenseless players. If the defenseless receiver rules applied back in the 80s and 90s, guys like marino and montana would have averaged 60 touchdowns a year, easy. Rules defining a defenseless player were expanded to include eight categories. T he ncaa introduced the concept of a defenseless player in 2008, at the same time the first targeting rule was adopted. Violations of this provision will be enforced after the interception, and the intercepting team will maintain possession. This rule also encompasses hits on defenseless receivers. If the player is capable of avoiding or warding off the impending contact of an opponent, he is no longer a defenseless player. 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. Nfl health and safety related rules changes since 2002 nfl.
The nfl officiating committee explains the difference between a legal and an illegal hit on a defenseless players. The following is taken from the 2011 nfl rule book pages 7374 and defines players who are in a defenseless posture. Breaking down, and defining, one of the most controversial rules in the nfl. Nfls new helmet rule causes confusion, outrage during cardinalschargers game. 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 nfl needs to reconsider the rootcause, and application of rules, related to defenseless players, combined with the reality of what is possible for. The material is also covered in the 2011 league policies for players manual, distributed to all players in training camp. Dec 09, 2015 the nfl matching its allimportant catch rule with the evermoreimportant defenseless player rule. 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. 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.
Nfl attempts to clarify the defenseless player rules. In recent years the nfl has done more and more to prevent these hits first prohibiting hits on defenseless wrs, then certain blocks on. Here is a brief rundown of the rules changes and points of emphasis. 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 2016 nfl season. However, the two codes utilize the definition of a defenseless player differently. Is there really such thing as a defenseless receiver. An overview of nfl rule changes focused on protecting players over the past 30. The nfls new rule against using the helmet during a tackle came to light during the cardinalschargers game.
There is nothing quite as consistent in the nfl as rules panic. Jan 18, 2015 through rules changes, stricter enforcement, and player fines and suspensions, the n. Supplemental notes are often used for the same purpose 333. Included in rule 12, section 2 of the nfl rule book, and also of vital player safety importance, are the illegal chop block rules rule 12, section 2, article 16. The nfl owners approved a rule that will change hitting in football. How wide receivers have evolved in the nfl the boston globe.
Nfl referee walt coleman discusses the rule change involving the hitting of defenseless players. The nfl rule book constantly evolving nfl football on. Why are referees calling defenseless receiver penalties so. Prohibited contact against a player who is in a defenseless posture is. Aug 03, 2018 the nfl targeting rule for players helmets changed in 2018. Mar 31, 2018 the nfl owners approved a rule that will change hitting in football. Heres an overview of nfl rule changes focused on protecting player health and safety over the past 30 years. Giants antrel rolle thinks nfl rules rendered him defenseless.
Nov 01, 2012 but when youre talking about hitting a guy thats defenseless, if youre a safety and you have great angles and great timing on the ball, every receiver is going to be defenseless. 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. Aug 21, 2018 since 2008, the committee has implemented rules to prohibit forcible contact using the helmet and target defenseless opponents. The list of defenseless players is expanded to include defensive players on crackback blocks, making it illegal to hit them in the head or neck area. 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. New catch rule creates defenseless receiver donut hole. 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. The destination for all national football league related video on the web. Ncaa and nfl teams get the ball at the original line of scrimmage or the spot of the kick, respectively, or the 20 yard line, whichever is better.
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 10, 2010 nfl referee walt coleman discusses the rule change involving the hitting of defenseless players. But rules such as illegal contact beyond 5 yards, openpalmed pass blocking, and defenselessreceiver prohibitions that limit intimidating hits have paved the way for a reimagining and a. Roughing the passer, pass interference, hitting a defenseless receiver, and if all else fails maybe the receiver would actually catch the ball. On kickoffs, a blocking wedge cannot consist of more than two players. Evolution of the nfl rules nfl football operations. Well have it back up and running as soon as possible. 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. Here is the wording from the nfl rulebook, examples and player reaction. Nfl rules provide special protection to defenseless players, by prohibiting a hits delivered to their head or neck area by an opponent with his helmet including. But when youre talking about hitting a guy thats defenseless, if youre a safety and you have great angles and great timing on the ball, every receiver is going to be defenseless.
Its smart for the nfl to continue to make the rules widely available, even. The nfl owners approved new rules to further protect defenseless players at their meetings in indianapolis. Here are the new nfl rules and updates of existing ones. But rules such as illegal contact beyond 5 yards, openpalmed pass blocking, and defenseless receiver prohibitions that limit intimidating hits have paved the way for a reimagining and a. In doing so the nfl is offering more protections to any players who have not wait for it. Nfls new helmet rule causes confusion, outrage during. A receiver is considered a player in a defenseless posture throughout the entire process of the catch and until the player is capable of avoiding. The player hitting the defenseless receiver will receive a 15 yard penalty but the interception will continue to stand. Thats why the colston hit was a penalty and the reggie kelly hit to the back wasnt. Todays rule involves the ban on hitting defenseless players. Nfl rule book 2010 rule 12, section 2, article 8 steelers. The initial contact to the head of a defenseless receiver is also prohibited.
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