College Football's Helmet Rule

[MUMac]

Watching College Football this weekend, I really do not care for the new helmet rule instituted.  I understand the change that if you lose your helmet, you must not continue to participate in the play, or it is an unsportsmanlike penalty.  That is safety driven and I understand that one.  The one I do not care for, if your helmet comes off, you must sit out one play.  Saw it impact a few games today.  I can see it impacting a result if the starting qb loses his helmet on the 2nd to last play of the game and they need a TD to win.  Just because the helmet comes off, does not mean you should be forced to sit out a play.

Thoughts?

[🏀]

The issue is a helmet can be secured to your head without it popping off.

However, some players don't want two strip chinstrips or additional strap fasteners.

It's their choice.

[MUMac]

Some of the instances that occurred today had nothing to do with the chin strap.  Helmets can pop off.  Not frequent, but it does happen.  Doesn't mean the player needs to leave the field of play.  Especially since I did not witness any trainer or doctor checking on them.

[Benny B]

Some of the instances that occurred today had nothing to do with the chin strap.  Helmets can pop off.  Not frequent, but it does happen.  Doesn't mean the player needs to leave the field of play.  Especially since I did not witness any trainer or doctor checking on them.

Helmets do pop off.  But it's quite rare for a helmet to pop off when it's properly sized/secured.  When you watch NFL games this year and see a helmet pop off, write down the player's name.  By the end of the season, you'll have three times as many entries on your list than unique names.

[MUMac]

Not true.  Hands to the face can force the helmet off.  Sometimes the strap unsnaps.  Sometimes the ground jams the facemask, pulling the helmet off.  There are a multitude of innocuous reasons. 

But back to the writing down of names.  I challenge you to write down the names of players who lose their helmet during the game and are injured.  I suspect the list will be significantly less than the list of unique names.  And those that are injured, would be out of the game anyway, thus, this rule would not have an impact on that.

Several are speaking out against it already:

http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2012/09/michigans_brady_hoke_not_a_fan.html

http://msn.foxsports.com/collegefootball/story/ncaa-college-football-helmet-rule-change-is-bit-much-090112

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1320076-ncaa-football-defenses-will-use-new-helmet-rule-to-their-advantage

Again, I understand the need for helmet safety.  Tightening the chin strap, inflating the helmet fully are important and should be emphasized.  This, though, goes a bit too far and could determine the outcome of some games.

[Benny B]

I have never seen someone injured subsequent to losing his helmet; perhaps maybe football would be better off to just do away with helmets completely.  (I wonder what the suicide rate is amongst retired rugby players).

I don't disagree with the concept that some teams may attempt to exploit the rule for an advantage.  But football is already under fire about head injuries, so while it may be a BS rule (I agree that it is), I see it as a CYA move more than a player safety move.

[augoman]

all of which goes back to my feeling that removing the face mask would be the best way to stop the neck injuries..., no more spearing, leading with the helmet, twisted necks on face mask penalties, etc.  Players would do more to protect themselves from injury and in general make the game safer (and yes, we'd see a few more bloody/broken noses-not more guys in wheelchairs).

[MerrittsMustache]

If a helmet fits properly, it is VERY hard to have it knocked off during a play unless someone more or less grabs it and pulls it off. In HS, my coach used to say that if your helmet didn't hurt your head a little bit, it's too big. Also, if your helmet doesn't fit tight, you're more prone to head injuries. The NCAA rule makes sense from a concussion-protection perspective because it forces players to get helmets that fits or face the possibility of missing a crucial play because of it.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

all of which goes back to my feeling that removing the face mask would be the best way to stop the neck injuries..., no more spearing, leading with the helmet, twisted necks on face mask penalties, etc.  Players would do more to protect themselves from injury and in general make the game safer (and yes, we'd see a few more bloody/broken noses-not more guys in wheelchairs).

You are prob. right, but I don't think we will see that.

What we might see (maybe 5 years?) is a strict "no leading with the head" policy that will be strictly enforced Players get thrown out of the game? Maybe you can't leave your feet and hit a guy at/above the numbers?

I know that sounds a bit insane, but the more we learn, the more we realize that the current style of play and equipment are really hurting people.

Form tackles and wrapping up are going to be the only way to bring somebody down. The days of players launching themselves are numbered.

[MerrittsMustache]

You are prob. right, but I don't think we will see that.

What we might see (maybe 5 years?) is a strict "no leading with the head" policy that will be strictly enforced Players get thrown out of the game? Maybe you can't leave your feet and hit a guy at/above the numbers?

I know that sounds a bit insane, but the more we learn, the more we realize that the current style of play and equipment are really hurting people.

Form tackles and wrapping up are going to be the only way to bring somebody down. The days of players launching themselves are numbered.

Most NFL players aren't particularly concerned about their long-term health or their quality of life at age 30 let alone age 60. Players want the paychecks.

Therefore, if a player leads with his head, he gets fined $250k and suspended for the next 2 games (ie loses the game checks). If he does it again, $500k and 4 games. If he does it a third time $1M and 8 games. A fourth time, $2.5M and he's gone.

I'm not talking about hits to opposing players' heads (they can keep the current "system" in place). I'm talking about when a player launches himself, head down, crown-of-the-helmet-first into an opposing player. Whether he hits him in the head, chest, back, whatever, he's fined and suspended. There's no gray area and no question of his intent because it's all on the hitter. If his head is down, he sits.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Most NFL players aren't particularly concerned about their long-term health or their quality of life at age 30 let alone age 60. Players want the paychecks.

Therefore, if a player leads with his head, he gets fined $250k and suspended for the next 2 games (ie loses the game checks). If he does it again, $500k and 4 games. If he does it a third time $1M and 8 games. A fourth time, $2.5M and he's gone.

I'm not talking about hits to opposing players' heads (they can keep the current "system" in place). I'm talking about when a player launches himself, head down, crown-of-the-helmet-first into an opposing player. Whether he hits him in the head, chest, back, whatever, he's fined and suspended. There's no gray area and no question of his intent because it's all on the hitter. If his head is down, he sits.

I can see that. It might be reffed a little bit like Hockey (you can hit a guy, but you can't leave your feet, hit above the shoulder, etc.).

Maybe something with "you have to use your hands/arms" so guys don't do the "spearing" style hit where they tuck in their arms and launch themselves.

This sort of paradigm shift will need more refs, and will cause some significant growing pains. The "Jack Tatum" crowd isn't going to like it, that's for sure.