The Rules of the Game – The Ransom Report – Edition 6.2
Tagged under: Coaches Corner, News
Kevin Ransom | September 29, 2023
September 29th 2023
EDITION – 6.2
Get excited……. Week 6 is here!!!
I just learned that “The Rules of the Game” has reached as far as Seattle Washington. The Pacific Northwest is some beautiful country. Visit sometime if you get the chance!
This past Monday I received an email asking about helmets coming off during a play. He inquired about what is supposed to happen when this occurs and what happens during the ensuing dead ball. I could not help but to feel a pit in my stomach. Just a couple years ago I misapplied a rule surrounding his exact question.
Given my mistake from a couple years ago, maybe we should ALL review a couple bullet points regarding helmets and their removal during the play:
1) If the helmet comes off the ball carrier for any reason the play is blown dead at that time.
2) If the helmet comes off any player they must exit the game for at least one play…. unless the helmet comes off due to an illegal action by the opponent or if the play in which the helmet comes off is the last play of the first half or the last play of regulation.
3) If the helmet comes off a non-ball carrier then the player must stop action mid-play and not participate for the remainder of the play. However, the play continues. A player whose helmet comes off is protected from being hit during the remainder of the play.
4) A player whose helmet comes off is allowed to continue to participate, not beyond immediate action, if engaged at the time of the helmet coming off (i.e. completing a tackle)
With the above review, lets see how you can apply the rules to common plays that we might see on a Friday Night.
PLAY #1
It is 2nd and 6 from the Offense’s 31-yard line. The Running Back is carrying the ball near the sideline at the offense’s 43-yard line where he is hit. The hit dislodges his helmet but does not bring him to the ground. He stumbles out of bound almost immediately at the Offense’s 45-yard line.
PLAY #2
It is 2nd and 6 from the Offense’s 31-yard line. The Running Back carries the ball to the Offense’s 43-yard line where he is tackled in bounds by the Linebacker. While engaged in the tackle, the linebacker’s helmet comes off. The Linebacker completes the tackle.
PLAY #3
It is 2nd and 6 from the Offense’s 31-yard line. The Running Back carries the ball to the Offense’s 43-yard line where he is tackled in bounds by the Linebacker. During the run the Offensive tackle lost his helmet but continued to chase after the play. The offensive tackle eventually engaged the Defensive linebacker and successfully blocked him at the Offense’s 38-yard line.
YOU MAKE THE CALL!!!
Interested in becoming a PIAA Football official? Contact the PIAA or any local official. They can help you get started. Have a question about this column? I can be reached at kevinransom95@hotmail.com
ANSWERS:
Play #1: It will be 1st and 10 from the Offense’s 43-yard line (spot where his helmet came off). There is no foul on this play. It is a first down due to the runner making the line to gain. The Running Back will need to be removed from the game for a minimum of one play. (NOTE: The play should be called “dead” when the helmet is dislodged from the ball carrier)
Play #2: It will be 1st and 10 from the Offense’s 43-yard line. There is no foul on this play. It is a first down due to the runner making the line to gain. The Linebacker will need to be removed from the game for a minimum of one play.
Play #3: A foul occurred on this play. The foul was for illegal participation and occurred when the Offensive Tackle continued to participate after he lost his helmet. In this play, the enforcement spot is the spot of the foul. The result of the play will be 2nd and 14 from the Offense’s 23-yard line. The Offensive Tackle must be removed for a minimum of one play.
NOTE: Be sure to check in early next week to catch a special edition of “The Rules of the Game”. We will be looking at some of the “odd” rulings that you may never thought about. Some of it might surprise you.
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