The use of the helmet & spearing

Probably the most argued about rulings this year have been the illegal use of the helmet / spearing calls. I draw your attention to the relevant sections of the 2007 NCAA rulebook that discuss this:

• Points of Emphasis (Page 8, regarding the Football Code)

It is noted that the Code emphasizes the following unethical practices: “Using the helmet as a weapon. The helmet is for protection of the player...” and “players and coaches should emphasize the elimination of spearing.”

• Points of Emphasis (Page 10)

Intentional helmet-to-helmet contact is never legal, nor is any other blow directed toward an opponent’s head. Flagrant offenders shall be disqualified.
Additionally, the committee altered Rules 9-1-2-l and n slightly to encourage officials to penalize head-down contact and leading with the crown of the helmet when tackling.

• Football Code (Page 13, regarding Coaching Ethics)

The following are unethical practices:
...
b. Using the football helmet as a weapon. The helmet is for the protection of the player.

• Rule 2-24-1: Spearing (Page FR-52)
  

Spearing is the use of the helmet (including the face mask) in an attempt to punish an opponent.

• Rule 9-1-2-l, m & n (Page FR-118)

l. No player shall use his helmet (including the face mask) to butt or ram an opponent in an attempt to punish him (A.R. 9-1-2-XVI).

m. There shall be no spearing (A.R. 9-1-2-XVII).

n. No player shall strike a runner with the crown or the top of his helmet in an attempt to punish him.

One of the major drives in the past few years at both high-school and NCAA level, has been to remove the use of the helmet as a weapon and this desire is very clearly stated in the Points of Emphasis above. The actions of particular concern are those in which the crown of the helmet is involved as an impact point (i.e. collisions where a player drops his head). These place the highest strain on the spine and have a greatly increased risk of serious injury for both players involved.

Let me state quite clearly that I have never come across a coach of any renown who teaches players to use their helmet in such a manner. I have never read an article or book, watched a video, nor seen any other instructional material of any sort that advocates "head down" tackling, blocking or ball carrying.

Yet almost without fail on a weekly basis I hear complaints such as:

• "But my hands touched him first!"
• "But I wrapped him up!"
• "But he got lower than I expected!"
• "But I'm carrying the ball!"
  

None of these are relevant in the slightest. If you are observed making contact with another player with the helmet crown as a direct point of contact (you have "dropped your head"), you will be penalised for a personal foul. As with any such fouls, if it is deemed to be flagrant, you will be ejected.

The use of any other part of the helmet (generally the facemask) in a head-butting or ram movement is specifically outlawed as given above. This however occurs much less often in the local league at least, and is rarely argued about.

As always, I welcome any comments people may have.

Regards,

Simon