It is illegal to make contact with an opponent with your helmet first. There are three ways to foul with your helmet:

 

1. Butt blocking is using the front of your helmet to initiate contct against an opponent who is not the runner (offensive or defenisve)

2. Face tackling is using the front of your helmet to initiate contact agaisnt the runner (defensive only)

3. Spearing is using the top of your helmet to initiate contact against any opponent (offensive or defensive)

 

These are 15 yard penalties but not automatic disqualification. The offender can be disqualified if the foul is judged to be flagrant. Examples of flagrant would include:

 

against a opponent on the ground

against a opponent being held up by other players

helmet to helmet against a defenseless opponent

 

 

This rule is for the safety of all players involved.

It is illegal to make contact with an opponent with your helmet first. There are three ways to foul with your helmet:

 

1. Butt blocking is using the front of your helmet to initiate contct against an opponent who is not the runner (offensive or defenisve)

2. Face tackling is using the front of your helmet to initiate contact agaisnt the runner (defensive only)

3. Spearing is using the top of your helmet to initiate contact against any opponent (offensive or defensive)

 

These are 15 yard penalties but not automatic disqualification. The offender can be disqualified if the foul is judged to be flagrant. Examples of flagrant would include:

 

against a opponent on the ground

against a opponent being held up by other players

helmet to helmet against a defenseless opponent

 

 

This rule is for the safety of all players involved.

 

How often do you see these fouls? Do you call them frequently? Aren't these fouls that should be so obvious the Stevie Wonder could call them?

Helmet contact is becoming a point of emphasis due to the higher number and seriousness of concussions and neck injuries being reported. If players are taught the correct techniques of using the shoulder instead of the head there would be little need for this rule. That being said, I think this action could and should be called more frequently than it is.

This is one of the most difficult calls to make when players are in full speed because you always have to see the whole thing and you cannot guess when making calls.

This is one of the most difficult calls to make when players are in full speed because you always have to see the whole thing and you cannot guess when making calls.

 

When I first read the 3 ways of breaking this rule the first thing that came to my feeble mind is how hard it would be on the one where the tackler makes contact with his helmet first. I seem to see that type of play often. Runner going around the edge and the LB or S coming up to make the tackle lowers his head and the first contact is the helmet followed by the wrap up. I can't say I've ever seen a flag on that type of play.

When I first read the 3 ways of breaking this rule the first thing that came to my feeble mind is how hard it would be on the one where the tackler makes contact with his helmet first. I seem to see that type of play often. Runner going around the edge and the LB or S coming up to make the tackle lowers his head and the first contact is the helmet followed by the wrap up. I can't say I've ever seen a flag on that type of play.

What confused me was, last year we were told that if a RB made first contact with his helmet, while running the ball, it would be illegal helmet contact. Now, I just don't understand that, is the RB supposed to stick his chest out while running to avoid helmet first contact?

The problem is that by leading with the helmet the player puts himself at greater risk of injury, specifically the neck. Players should be initiating contact with the shoulder pads, not the helmet. As FBRules says, it is not an easy call to make. A player may try to lead with his shoulder, but the change in position of the players' bodies can result in contact with helmet first. A runner will often duck and weave to avoid tacklers, and incidentally initiate helmet contact first. A defender should not be lowering his head to make tackles. Proper tackling methods say keep your eyes up and see what you're hitting.

 

I've been looking for a video to link to this discussion. The video was originally uploaded to the Michigan (MHSAA) web site and was titled "See What You Hit". It seems to have been removed from the site. If anyone has a link or copy of that video, please share it. It was about a 15 minute educational video for coaches and players invovling proper techniques and explained how neck injuries occur.

What confused me was, last year we were told that if a RB made first contact with his helmet, while running the ball, it would be illegal helmet contact. Now, I just don't understand that, is the RB supposed to stick his chest out while running to avoid helmet first contact?

 

No player should lead with his helmet. It is a safety issue.

You cannot tackle without your head leading unless you are leaning backwards. Now you can tackle without your head making contact but it still is "leading," your head may be off to the side of the ball carrier.

all players and coaches should watch this: http://www.mhsaa.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=tuLY5Y1m-WY%3d&tabid=578

You cannot tackle without your head leading unless you are leaning backwards. Now you can tackle without your head making contact but it still is "leading," your head may be off to the side of the ball carrier.

 

If the front or top of the helmet is the first contact with an opponent there is a foul according to the letter of the rule.

From my experience as a player/coach/official it is fairly obvious when a player comes in with his head down to make a tackle. Speaking from an officiating standpoint, I would call a foul if I saw a definite head down. Tacklers making contact with the helmet, but seeing what you hit, I tend to pass on unless it is flagrant.

all players and coaches should watch this: http://www.mhsaa.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=tuLY5Y1m-WY%3d&tabid=578

 

Thanks for sharing! I just had my son watch this.

Great Video should be mandatory for players and caocheds to watch every year