Defenseless receiver rule nfl rule book on ball inflation

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. The player hitting a defenseless player will be penalized 15 yards. Rules defining a defenseless player were expanded to include eight categories. Nfl health and safety related rules changes since 2002 nfl. There are different rules depending on whether a receiver catches the ball while on his feet or. 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. 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. The league has expanded its rules to prevent defenseless players from taking shots above their shoulders. New catch rule creates defenseless receiver donut hole. 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. See specific fumble, pass, or kick rules and especially 621. The brief excerpt is of the texanscolts game held on september 11, 2011. The new nfl rule expands to all areas on the field, not simply the ball carrier or a receiver trying to make a catch. 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.

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. The rule protects defenseless players from jarring blows to the head or neck by an opponent. Nfl admits ref wrongly applied new rule on defenseless. New ncaa rule protects defenseless players college. 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. Gives a receiver running a pass route defenseless player protection. Three rules that changed the way the nfl is played the.

Purpose of video is to facilitate a discussion of the nfl defenseless player rules. Nfl attempts to clarify the defenseless player rules. Or a player catching a ball in traffic gets hit low and his knee gets blown up. However, a kickerpunter is a defenseless player through the. The ball shall be made up of an inflated 12 12 to 12 pounds. 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. Where the word illegal appears in this rule book, it is an institutional term of art. Status of the ball following illegal kick clarified. A forward pass is complete by the offense or intercepted by the defense in the field of play, at the sideline, or. Since 2002 alone, the nfl has made 50 rules changes intended to. 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.

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. Today the nfl s communications department attempted to clear things up, with emails to the media and twitter messages pointing to the exact wording of the rules regarding defenseless players. The prohibition applies to a player of the kicking team while the ball is in flight during a. If a player has control of the ball, a slight movement of the ball will not be considered loss of possession. Home and visiting teams should have 12 new wilson official nfl. Two rules issues showed themselves in a big way in the two afc south games sunday. All offensive players other than those identified in article 5 above are ineligible to catch a legal or illegal forward pass thrown from behind. Gives a receiver running a pass route defenseless player. Its almost as if the nfl knows everyone is going to this page to check up on this specific case. If the receiver becomes a blocker or assumes a blocking posture, he is no longer a defenseless. 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. The nfl has added to the list of situations where a player is deemed defenseless as it pertains to hits to the head. The ball must be a wilson, hand selected, bearing the signature of the commissioner of the league, roger goodell. The material is also covered in the 2011 league policies for players manual, distributed to all players in training camp.

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. I mean its almost like you have to let the receiver catch the ball and start. Here are five things to know about the nfl s ball rules, according to the nfl game operations manual. The nfl video rulebook explains nfl rules with video examples. A receiver attempting to catch a pass who has not had time to clearly become a runner. Rule 5 players, substitutes, equipment, general rules. The nfl rule book is getting to be heavier and more complicated than the irs tax code book. 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. 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. The final piece that would make college footballs targeting rule a part of the nfl.

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. The following is taken from the 2011 nfl rule book pages 7374 and defines players who are in a defenseless posture. Nfl attempts to clarify the defenseless player rules profootballtalk. 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. 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.

A receiverrunner is no longer defenseless if he is able to ward off the impending contact of an opponent. The ball remains dead if it is snapped or kicked before it is made ready for play. A south central high school 1984 and ball state 89 grad, hes covered preps most of his career. The nfl implemented a new rule this offseason protecting receivers from being hit in the head immediately following an interception. Receivers will be required to wear dresses to remind the defense not to hit the defenseless receiver. This year, the nfl is adding yet another wrinkle to the rulebook, outlawing. 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. But when a referee applied that rule this offseason, it was not done correctly. Especially with the blount rule, offenses have never had it easier. An overview of nfl rule changes focused on protecting players over the past 30 years. The intended receiver of a pass in the action during and immediately following an interception or potential interception. Defenseless player definition upped in 12 football zebras. Battle red blog examines the issue and the application of the defenseless player rule.

How wide receivers have evolved in the nfl the boston globe. Nfl admits ref wrongly applied new rule on defenseless receivers. 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. Well have it back up and running as soon as possible. Why are referees calling defenseless receiver penalties so.

If the player had the ball long enough for the catch to be completed, he was no longer defenseless. The prohibition also applies to a player of the kicking team while the ball is in flight. Rule 7 ball in play, dead ball, scrimmage section 1 ball in play article 1. He must lose control of the ball in order to rule that there has been a loss of possession. Nobody likes the rule but that was helmet to helmet contact and the nfl wants. Rule 8 forward pass, backward pass, fumble section 1 forward pass definition article 1 definition it is a forward pass if. Home management shall provide a pressure pump and measuring device. In houston, arian foster got a touchdown taken away for failing to complete a catch, putting the ball on the. If the player is capable of avoiding or warding off the impending contact of an opponent, he is no longer a defenseless player. 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. The player will also be fined and if that player continues to commit the same infraction, he will be suspended.

All season, ive been semiconfused by commentators responses to personal foul flags for hits on defenseless receivers. 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. 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. Rule 12, section 2, article 8 in the 2010 nfl rule book was talked about in length this morning as nfl v. Rules interpretations and clarifications nfl nation espn. This has very little requirement to it, mckay said. Rule 2, section 1 of the nfl rule book says that the balls must be a certain weight, length, width and even color. Rule 5 players, substitutes, equipment, general rules section 1 players number of players article 1 the game is played by two teams of 11 players each. Nfl rule changes could have a big impact on the field.