Interesting rules changes this year

[Cats2506]

So if a player has the ball and is running with it and his helmet is ripped off, then does he have to stop right then even if say the field in front of him is empty?

Yes, or he is penalized. Then he is forced to sit out a play.

or more likely the player that ripped his helmet off will get a facemask penalty, and the runner will get to stay in.

 

[Hammer]

So if a player has the ball and is running with it and his helmet is ripped off, then does he have to stop right then even if say the field in front of him is empty?

Yes, or he is penalized. Then he is forced to sit out a play.

or more likely the player that ripped his helmet off will get a facemask penalty, and the runner will get to stay in.

A facemask isn't the only way helmets come off FYI

 

[Cats2506]

So if a player has the ball and is running with it and his helmet is ripped off, then does he have to stop right then even if say the field in front of him is empty?

Yes, or he is penalized. Then he is forced to sit out a play.

or more likely the player that ripped his helmet off will get a facemask penalty, and the runner will get to stay in.

A facemask isn't the only way helmets come off FYI

First off, it is still considered a face mask if the players used the ear hole or the bottom edge of the helmet.

and secondly, presumably the players will be more diligent about strapping up and therefore less likely to lose a helmet without someone actually grabbing the helmet.

I don't see how you can think that this rule change can be a bad thing, given the information we have on concussions, modern equipment and the minor impact that it will have on the game.

 

[polsongrizz]

I don't see how you can think that this rule change can be a bad thing, given the information we have on concussions, modern equipment and the minor impact that it will have on the game.

I don't think it is necessarily a bad thing, but it seems like it is a ruling that is ripe for problems. As for concussions, they have virtually nothing to do with players helmets coming off during a game.

 

[Cats2506]

I don't see how you can think that this rule change can be a bad thing, given the information we have on concussions, modern equipment and the minor impact that it will have on the game.

I don't think it is necessarily a bad thing, but it seems like it is a ruling that is ripe for problems. As for concussions, they have virtually nothing to do with players helmets coming off during a game.

I believe the thought is that players are not properly fitted for the helmets or the helmets are not strapped on completely. I also think that the helmet manufactures themselves would say that either condition (not fitted or not strapped) would reduce the protection to the player.

I don't see the ripe for problems, are you saying that helmets cannot be fitted and strapped on such that they will rarely come off.

prior to 10 years ago it was a rarity for a helmet to come off at any level of play, are the helmets designed now to come off easily? If that's the case maybe this rule will force the designers to deal with this problem.

 

[dupuyer griz]

prior to 10 years ago it was a rarity for a helmet to come off at any level of play, are the helmets designed now to come off easily? If that's the case maybe this rule will force the designers to deal with this problem.

In the past 10 years huge hair has become a problem as well, seems to me the guys with giant dread locks lose their helmets more than others. I know we can't mandate haircuts, but if the helmet cannot fit tightly to the skull it is easier for it to come off. Kind of like a childseat in front of an airbag, all the safety designs do no good if you don't take the appropriate steps to ensure they will work.

 

[Cats2506]

prior to 10 years ago it was a rarity for a helmet to come off at any level of play, are the helmets designed now to come off easily? If that's the case maybe this rule will force the designers to deal with this problem.

In the past 10 years huge hair has become a problem as well, seems to me the guys with giant dread locks lose their helmets more than others. I know we can't mandate haircuts, but if the helmet cannot fit tightly to the skull it is easier for it to come off. Kind of like a childseat in front of an airbag, all the safety designs do no good if you don't take the appropriate steps to ensure they will work.

Exactly, this is a step to make sure the helmets stay on and work.

 

[tnt]

I'm more intrested in how you signal a fair catch for an onside kick after one bounce and have a. Enough time to catch it, or b. Have the kicking team see it and react quicly enough to leave a neutral zone.

 

[Unwrittengriz]

What a bunch of shitty new rules. If I wanted to watch a sissy sport I would turn on soccer.

 

[dupuyer griz]

What a bunch of shitty new rules. If I wanted to watch a sissy sport I would turn on soccer.

How dare you degrade sissy sports by including soccer hahahaha

 

[putter]

So if a player has the ball and is running with it and his helmet is ripped off, then does he have to stop right then even if say the field in front of him is empty?

Yes, or he is penalized. Then he is forced to sit out a play.

...so he gets to run for a touchdown and sit out the extra point?

 

[DuCharme]

When do the hip flag belts come into play? 2013 or 2015?

not sure, but i'd heard it will coincide with the cover-your-eyes-and-ears-for-opposing-signals rule :thumb:

 

[polsongrizz]

I don't see how you can think that this rule change can be a bad thing, given the information we have on concussions, modern equipment and the minor impact that it will have on the game.

I don't think it is necessarily a bad thing, but it seems like it is a ruling that is ripe for problems. As for concussions, they have virtually nothing to do with players helmets coming off during a game.

I believe the thought is that players are not properly fitted for the helmets or the helmets are not strapped on completely. I also think that the helmet manufactures themselves would say that either condition (not fitted or not strapped) would reduce the protection to the player.

I don't see the ripe for problems, are you saying that helmets cannot be fitted and strapped on such that they will rarely come off.

prior to 10 years ago it was a rarity for a helmet to come off at any level of play, are the helmets designed now to come off easily? If that's the case maybe this rule will force the designers to deal with this problem.

No I meant it could become ripe with problems concerning calling this a penalty. Did he stop playing in time and when did the helmet come off. Does the whole thing have to come off or just part of it? It will be interesting to see how this rule is applied.
But as for the helmets someone already mentioned this and I agree. The helmets of the past could barely be removed w/o pulling on the ear holes pretty hard to be able to remove it, and even then it was not w/o some pain. If you watch the game now players are able to slide the helmet up on their head or off easily with one hand. So obviously they are made different now. But I can't imagine that if the straps are all buttoned up they come off.