HELMET COMES OFF DURING PLAY
Currently,
when the runner's helmet comes off during a play, the ball is declared dead
immediately (9-3-1q). Now, more and
more player's helmets other than the ball carriers’ are coming off. The Committee has now enacted an
incentive rule for players to wear properly fitting helmets that don't easily
come off accidentally during the game.
Beginning in 2012, if a player's helmet comes off while the ball is
alive, not attributable to a foul by the opponent, the player is treated the
same as a player who is injured. The clock is stopped at the end of the play,
and the player whose helmet came off must leave the game for one play. He must
stay out for that one play, whether a time out or end of period occurs. Also
the player must stop all action other than that in which he is engaged. If he continues he is guilty of a
personal foul. Such a player, by
definition, is a player obviously out of the play. Thus he cannot be contacted
(9-1-12b)
If a
helmet coming off is the only reason the game clock is stopped, and there is
LESS than one minute in the half or the game, the opponent has the option of a
10 second runoff, in which the play clock will be set at 25 seconds, and the
game clock starts on the referee's signal.
If a timeout is available, the 10 second runoff
may be avoided by use of the timeout.
If there is no runoff, the game clock will be started on the snap.
If a
helmet coming off is the only reason the game clock is stopped, and there is
MORE than one minute remaining in the half or game, the play clock will be set
at 25 seconds if the player is from the offense, and 40 seconds if the player
is on defense. The game clock starts on the referee's signal.
Of
course the current rule
regarding a player intentionally removing his own helmet is still
in force; unsportsmanlike conduct,
15 yards, and automatic 1st down if foul is by the defense.
Examples:
Play 1: While tackling the runner,
the nose guard's helmet comes off. He, either, (a) immediately releases the
runner; (b) continues chase to make the tackle; (c) or is blocked by the center
trying to separate the nose tackle from the runner. Ruling: The ball remains alive until the play is
over. In (a) No foul; (b)
nose guard does not foul if he maintains contact during the tackle; if however
he dislodges and re-engages, a personal foul incurs; and in (c) the center is
guilty of a personal foul, hitting a player who is out of the play.
Play
2: With ten seconds remaining in
the 4th quarter, and the game clock is running, both teams have used their
timeouts. The helmet comes off (a) the Left tackle, or (b) the nose guard. The
play ends with 6 seconds left on the game clock.
Ruling: Because there is less than a minute left
in the half or game, a 10 second runoff may apply. If the
opponent of the player whose helmet comes off elects, the game is over.
Play
3: With
2 minutes left in the game, a third down pass is caught inbounds and the
receiver is tackled short of a first down. The game clock shows 1:33 left in
the game when the official stops the clock because (a) the receiver's helmet
was knocked off, or (b) the cornerback's helmet came off. Ruling: Since there are more than 60 seconds
remaining in the half, the 10 second runoff does not
apply. The play clock will be set at (a) 25 seconds,
and (b) 40 seconds, with the game clock starting on the referee's signal. In either case, the player must remain
out of the game for one play.
LEAPING THE SHIELD
In
addition to the prohibition of defensive players leaping and landing on another
player during scoring kicks, (field goals and extra points), now they may not
attempt to block a PUNT by jumping OVER a kicking team player behind the
neutral zone inside the tackle box.
It is not a foul if the defensive player jumps straight up and does not
jump over an opponent, nor is it a foul if the player jumps through the gap
between two blockers. The penalty
is 15 yards from the previous spot (line of scrimmage) and automatic 1st down.
GLOVES
Finally
there is no longer any restriction on the color of gloves worn by the
players. What this has to do with
player safety, who knows?