Omar Bennett
Helmet-to-helmet collisions in the NFL have long been associated with American football, but they are now considered dangerous play by league authorities. In 1996, the NFL implemented a rule change that banned helmet-to-helmet hits initiated by defenders with their helmet or targeted at the head of an offensive player. The NFL has since expanded this rule, aiming to make head-first collisions a thing of the past. Under the new rule, it is a penalty if a player lowers their head and makes contact with their helmet against an opponent. The rule also states that it is a penalty if a player uses any part of their helmet or face mask to make forcible contact with an opponent's head or neck area.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Helmet-to-helmet collisions | Head-to-head contact with a high degree of force |
| Intentional helmet-to-helmet collisions | Penalised in most football leagues |
| Helmet-to-helmet hits | Banned in the NFL since 1996 |
| Helmet-to-helmet hits involving quarterbacks | Banned by the NFL in 2002 |
| Helmet-to-helmet hits involving blockers | Penalised by the NFL since 2009 |
| Helmet-to-helmet hits involving defensive players | Penalised by the NFL since 2013 |
| Helmet-to-helmet hits involving offensive players | Banned by the NFL |
| Helmet-to-helmet hits involving players wearing Guardian Caps | Force of impact reduced by 11-12% if one player wears a cap, and by 20% if both players do |
| Helmet-to-helmet hits resulting in concussions | Studied by the US Congress, leading to an investigation into the effects of repeated concussions on NFL players |
| Helmet-to-helmet hits causing other injuries | Can cause head trauma, spinal cord injuries, and even death |
| Helmet-to-helmet hit penalties | 15-yard penalty and fines |
| Helmet-to-helmet hit disqualification | Possible disqualification of the player |
| Helmet-to-helmet hit ejection | Possible ejection of the player if officials determine an "unobstructed path" and "clearly avoidable" contact |
| Helmet-to-helmet hit suspension | Possible one-game suspension for players with three or more targeting fouls in the same season |
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What You'll Learn
- Helmet-to-helmet hits are penalised to prevent serious injuries and concussions
- The NFL's Use of Helmet Rule Sheet outlines when players will be ejected for helmet-to-helmet hits
- The NCAA's targeting rules, adopted by the NFL, penalise players and eject them from the game
- The NFL's expansion of the rule against using the helmet as a weapon
- Helmet-to-helmet collisions have been banned by the Canadian Football League and the NCAA
Helmet-to-helmet hits are penalised to prevent serious injuries and concussions
Helmet-to-helmet hits have long been associated with American football, but they are now considered dangerous play by league authorities. The National Football League (NFL) has taken a tougher stance on these collisions due to the risk of serious injuries and concussions.
The main effect of helmet-to-helmet collisions is concussions, but other possible injuries include head trauma, spinal cord injuries, and even death. In 2002, the NFL made a helmet-to-helmet hit to a quarterback after a turnover illegal. The league has also implemented rules against blind-side blocks, where any contact made with the helmet or neck of an opponent during these blocks is a personal foul.
To further reduce the risk of injuries, the NFL expanded its rule against the misuse of helmets in 2022, mandating the broader use of Guardian Caps during practices and games. The rule states that a player will be penalised if they use any part of their helmet or facemask to butt or make forcible contact with an opponent's head or neck area. This rule also applies to incidental contact during a conventional block or tackle.
Players may also be ejected as a result of helmet-to-helmet hits if they had an unobstructed path to their opponent and the contact was clearly avoidable. Beginning with the 2013 season, players who are flagged for such hits are automatically ejected from the game under the "targeting" rule, subject to a replay review. The NFL is aiming to make head-first collisions a thing of the past and while it won't eliminate concussions or other injuries, the league hopes to see progress with this rule change.
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The NFL's Use of Helmet Rule Sheet outlines when players will be ejected for helmet-to-helmet hits
According to the rule sheet, players may be ejected if they lower their helmet to establish a linear body posture prior to initiating contact with an opponent's helmet. Ejection is also possible if the player has an unobstructed path to their opponent and the contact is clearly avoidable, indicating that the player had other options but chose to deliver the blow anyway. These rules apply to players at position groups where head contact is most common, including running backs, fullbacks, linemen, and linebackers.
The NFL has taken an increasingly tough stance on helmet-to-helmet collisions, with the rule sheet being expanded in recent years. In 2022, the league saw an increase in the number of diagnosed concussions, particularly among quarterbacks, which prompted the expansion of the rule against using the helmet as a weapon. The rule now penalizes players who use any part of their helmet or facemask to make forcible contact with an opponent's head or neck area. This expansion also includes the requirement of Guardian Caps, which are expected to reduce the force of helmet-to-helmet impacts by around 20%.
The NFL's rule changes have not come without criticism. Some professional football players have argued that restrictions on helmet-to-helmet collisions "water down" the game, as gridiron football is supposed to showcase the biggest and best athletes in the world. Despite this, the NFL continues to prioritize player safety and the reduction of serious injuries caused by helmet-to-helmet collisions.
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The NCAA's targeting rules, adopted by the NFL, penalise players and eject them from the game
Helmet-to-helmet collisions in gridiron football occur when two players' helmets make head-to-head contact with a high degree of force. These types of collisions can cause concussions, head trauma, spinal cord injuries, and even death. As a result, the National Football League (NFL), Canadian Football League (CFL), and NCAA have all taken a hard line against helmet-to-helmet collisions.
The NCAA defines "targeting" as any hit that "goes beyond making a legal tackle or a legal block or playing the ball." The NCAA's targeting rule, adopted in 2008, prohibits players from initiating forcible contact against an opposing player. This includes leading with the crown of the helmet when making forcible contact or making forcible contact with the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent with the helmet.
In 2013, the NCAA revised its targeting rule to include automatic ejection for players flagged for targeting, in addition to a 15-yard penalty. This rule change aimed to reduce the number of helmet-to-helmet collisions and protect player safety. Beginning with the 2019 season, players penalized for three or more targeting fouls in the same season will receive a one-game suspension in addition to any ejection penalties.
In 2017, the NFL adopted the NCAA's targeting rules to penalize players and eject them from the game. This rule change came after years of criticism of Roger Goodell's inconsistent rulings on illegal hits and player safety. The NFL's expanded rule against using the helmet as a weapon now includes a 15-yard penalty and potential disqualification for a player who uses any part of their helmet or facemask to make forcible contact with an opponent's head or neck area.
To further enhance player safety, the NFL has also mandated the use of Guardian Caps during practices and is considering additional rules to address the hip drop tackle, which has been linked to a high rate of severe lower body injuries.
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The NFL's expansion of the rule against using the helmet as a weapon
The NFL has taken a strong stance against the use of helmets as a weapon, with the introduction and subsequent expansion of rules prohibiting such actions. The league has recognised the potential for serious injury, including concussions, head trauma, spinal cord injuries, and even death, associated with helmet-to-helmet collisions.
The NFL's Use of Helmet Rule Sheet outlines the conditions under which a player may be ejected as a result of helmet-to-helmet contact. Ejection standards include instances where a player lowers their helmet to establish a linear body posture prior to initiating contact, has a clear path to their opponent, and when the contact is avoidable but the player chooses to deliver the blow.
Over the years, the NFL has made significant progress in addressing this issue. In 1996, the league implemented a rule change banning helmet-to-helmet hits initiated by defenders targeting the head of an offensive player. In 2002, the NFL further expanded this rule, making it illegal for a helmet-to-helmet hit to a quarterback after a turnover. The league continued to build on these rules, introducing penalties for blockers in 2009 and adopting the NCAA's "targeting" rules in 2017, which included player ejections for certain violations.
In 2018, the NFL took another major step forward by passing a new rule penalising any player who lowers their head to initiate contact with their helmet against an opponent. This rule aimed to reduce head-first collisions and improve player safety. The league also mandated the use of Guardian Caps during practices and preseason games to further mitigate the impact of helmet-to-helmet collisions.
The most recent expansion of the rule against using the helmet as a weapon was unveiled in 2022, following an increase in the number of diagnosed concussions during the season. This change penalises players who use any part of their helmet or facemask to butt or make forcible contact with an opponent's head or neck area. If the foul is committed by a defensive player, it results in a 15-yard penalty and an automatic first down for the offense, with the possibility of player disqualification.
While some have criticised these rules as "watering down" the game, the NFL remains committed to player safety and mitigating the risks associated with helmet-to-helmet collisions.
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Helmet-to-helmet collisions have been banned by the Canadian Football League and the NCAA
Helmet-to-helmet collisions, a long-associated feature of American football, are now banned by the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). This type of contact is now considered a dangerous play by league authorities due to the potential for causing serious injuries. Possible injuries from helmet-to-helmet collisions include concussions, head traumas, spinal cord injuries, and even death.
The CFL prohibits the use of the helmet to butt, ram, or spear an opponent. Players are penalized for what is not deemed to be an 'acceptable' football play. The NCAA previously only penalized players for intentional helmet-to-helmet collisions, but in 2005, the word "intentional" was removed from the rules to further reduce these incidents. Since the 2013 season, players who are flagged for such hits are automatically ejected from the game and given a 15-yard penalty under the "targeting" rule, subject to a replay review. Beginning with the 2019 season, players who are penalized for three or more targeting fouls in the same season will receive a one-game suspension in addition to any ejection penalties.
The NFL has also taken steps to reduce helmet-to-helmet collisions, expanding its rule against the misuse of helmets and mandating the use of Guardian Caps during practices and preseason. Players may be ejected and penalised for violations, and the NFL does not allow the sale of these hits on its site.
The crackdown on helmet-to-helmet collisions has resulted in a reappraisal of the sport, with leagues and manufacturers taking steps to improve player safety and reduce the risk of serious injuries.
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Frequently asked questions
Helmet-to-helmet hits are occurrences in gridiron football when two players' helmets make head-to-head contact with a high degree of force.
The NFL's Use of Helmet Rule Sheet states that players may be ejected as a result of helmet-to-helmet hits. Some of the ejection standards include: if a player lowers their helmet to establish a linear body posture prior to initiating and making contact with the helmet, has an unobstructed path to their opponent, and when contact is clearly avoidable and the player delivers the blow when they have other options.
A 15-yard penalty will be called if a player lowers their head and makes forcible contact with their helmet against an opponent. If the foul is committed by a defensive player, it will also automatically result in a first down for the offense. The player could be disqualified.
