The ball shall be made up of an inflated 12 12 to 12 pounds. Two rules issues showed themselves in a big way in the two afc south games sunday. The final piece that would make college footballs targeting rule a part of the nfl. The nfl video rulebook explains nfl rules with video examples. The usa football rules book standardizes onfield playing rules for youth football. A forward pass is complete by the offense or intercepted by the defense in the field of play, at the sideline, or. A receiver attempting to catch a pass who has not had time to clearly become a runner. The material is also covered in the 2011 league policies for players manual, distributed to all players in training camp. Nfl rule changes could have a big impact on the field new, 4 comments the annual owners meeting starts this week, so lets run down the potential rule changes being considered. There are different rules depending on whether a receiver catches the ball while on his feet or.
Rules defining a defenseless player were expanded to include eight categories. Well have it back up and running as soon as possible. However, with how much receivers and tight ends have gotten more and more athletic, defensive backs and linebackers are at a huge handicap with these rules. If a player has control of the ball, a slight movement of the ball will not be considered loss of possession. A receiver running a pass route when the defender approaches from the side or behind.
Nfl admits ref wrongly applied new rule on defenseless. Rule 5 players, substitutes, equipment, general rules. Since 2002 alone, the nfl has made 50 rules changes intended to. New ncaa rule protects defenseless players college. All season, ive been semiconfused by commentators responses to personal foul flags for hits on defenseless receivers. New catch rule creates defenseless receiver donut hole. 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 has established a strong set of rules through the years focused on player safety, designed to promote fair competition while attempting to minimize risk of harm to the player. 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. The prohibition applies to a player of the kicking team while the ball is in flight during a. Gives a receiver running a pass route defenseless player protection. In houston, arian foster got a touchdown taken away for failing to complete a catch, putting the ball on the. Forcibly hitting the defenseless player s head or neck area with the helmet, facemask, forearm, or shoulder, regardless of whether the defensive player also uses his. 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.
Here are five things to know about the nfl s ball rules, according to the nfl game operations manual. This year, the nfl is adding yet another wrinkle to the rulebook, outlawing. If the receiver becomes a blocker or assumes a blocking posture, he is no longer a defenseless. However, a kickerpunter is a defenseless player through the. Most notably, as the league repeated for weeks, the rule would apply to any player, including a running back or wide receiver, lowering his head to. Its almost as if the nfl knows everyone is going to this page to check up on this specific case. Or a player catching a ball in traffic gets hit low and his knee gets blown up. Gives a receiver running a pass route defenseless player. The nfl implemented a new rule this offseason protecting receivers from being hit in the head immediately following an interception. Nfl attempts to clarify the defenseless player rules profootballtalk. He must lose control of the ball in order to rule that there has been a loss of possession. Rule 2, section 1 of the nfl rule book says that the balls must be a certain weight, length, width and even color. I mean its almost like you have to let the receiver catch the ball and start.
All offensive players other than those identified in article 5 above are ineligible to catch a legal or illegal forward pass thrown from behind the line of scrimmage, including. For example, a player jumping for a ball gets hit low and lands on his headneckback. Defenseless player definition upped in 12 football zebras. Nfl health and safety related rules changes since 2002 nfl. The ball must be a wilson, hand selected, bearing the signature of the commissioner of the league, roger goodell. The official 2018 football code of the ncaa football rules committee stresses that players and coaches should emphasize the elimination of targeting and initiating contact against a defenseless.
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. Rule 8 forward pass, backward pass, fumble section 1 forward pass definition article 1 definition it is a forward pass if. Nobody likes the rule but that was helmet to helmet contact and the nfl wants. Defenseless player rule could include receivers running. 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.
Beyond the fiveyard zone, if the player who receives the snap remains in the pocket with the ball, a defender cannot initiate contact with a receiver who is attempting to evade him. Rules interpretations and clarifications nfl nation espn. Rule 7 ball in play, dead ball, scrimmage section 1 ball in play article 1. 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. How wide receivers have evolved in the nfl the boston globe.
The issue i have is, if you cant go high on a defenseless receiver, the alternate is to go low, which creates a whole new host of problems. He was defenseless and u can hit him in the head or neck area with your helmet, shoulder, forearm. Why are referees calling defenseless receiver penalties so. It is a foul if a player initiates unnecessary contact against a player who is in a defenseless posture. Nfl admits ref wrongly applied new rule on defenseless receivers. Especially with the blount rule, offenses have never had it easier. Rule 12, section 2, article 8 in the 2010 nfl rule book was talked about in length this morning as nfl v. Nfl rule changes could have a big impact on the field. If a snap, free kick, or faircatch kick is made while a team has fewer than 11 players on the field of play or the end zone, the ball. For illegal use of hands, arms, or body by the offense. After the ball has been declared ready for play, it becomes a live ball when it is legally snapped or legally kicked a free kick or fair catch kick. Status of the ball following illegal kick clarified.
The player will also be fined and if that player continues to commit the same infraction, he will be suspended. A kicking team player may use his handsarms to ward off or to push or pull a receiver who is legally or illegally attempting to obstruct his attempt to proceed. A south central high school 1984 and ball state 89 grad, hes covered preps most of his career. Not only are they forced to endure yelling and ridicule by coaches and fans, but they are also required to completely memorize the nfl rulebook. The new nfl rule expands to all areas on the field, not simply the ball carrier or a receiver trying to make a catch. If the player is capable of avoiding or warding off the impending contact of an opponent, he is no longer a defenseless player. Forcible contact to head or neck area of a defenseless player rule 914.
Receivers will be required to wear dresses to remind the defense not to hit the defenseless receiver. The ball remains dead if it is snapped or kicked before it is made ready for play. 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. 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 2011 nfl season. The player hitting a defenseless player will be penalized 15 yards. The nfl rule book is getting to be heavier and more complicated than the irs tax code book. But when a referee applied that rule this offseason, it was not done correctly. 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. After a personal foul penalty on monday night led to a highprofile media tiff, the nfl has stepped in to attempt to clarify what, exactly, the term defenseless player means. Where the word illegal appears in this rule book, it is an institutional term of art. An overview of nfl rule changes focused on protecting players over the past 30 years.
Home and visiting teams should have 12 new wilson official nfl. The following is taken from the 2011 nfl rule book pages 7374 and defines players who are in a defenseless posture. A receiverrunner is no longer defenseless if he is able to ward off the impending contact of an opponent. See specific fumble, pass, or kick rules and especially 621. The rule protects defenseless players from jarring blows to the head or neck by an opponent. Home management shall provide a pressure pump and measuring device.
The nfl has added to the list of situations where a player is deemed defenseless as it pertains to hits to the head. If the player had the ball long enough for the catch to be completed, he was no longer defenseless. Battle red blog examines the issue and the application of the defenseless player rule. The brief excerpt is of the texanscolts game held on september 11, 2011. Nfl attempts to clarify the defenseless player rules.