The Helmet Rule Debate Continues

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NFL

The Helmet Rule Debacle

With two weeks of preseason play complete, the helmet rule is definitely a hot topic around the NFL. More so, the disaster that it has been so far.

NFL owners approved the Use of Helmet rule in March of this year. The NFL introduced the Use of Helmet rule in an attempt to help limit injuries sustained by players. However, while many would agree that this sounds like a good idea in theory, at this point, it is only causing mayhem on the field.

NFL officials have taken the time during training camp to sit down with both players and coaching staff to explain and interpret the helmet rule. The NFL hoped that this might help to alleviate confusion around the new rule.

However, if the past two weeks of the preseason are anything to go by, confusion has only increased. With inconsistent calls made by officials, unlucky teams have been subject to some horrendous penalties. As a result, players, coaching staff and fans are screaming for some consistency and further clarification on what exactly constitutes a foul.

The Official Rule

The official Use of Helmet rule released by the NFL states:

That it is a foul if a player lowers his head to initiate and make contact with his helmet against an opponent. This rule pertains to all players on the field, and to all areas of the field.

The officiating standards for the Use of Helmet rule are:

• Lowering the head (not to include bracing for contact)
• Initiating contact with the helmet to any part of an opponent. Contact does not have to be to an opponent’s head or neck area — lowering the head and initiating contact to an opponent’s torso, hips, and lower body, is also a foul.
• Making contact on an opponent (both offense and defense)

Players, coaches, and fans would agree that if a player leads with his helmet and contacts another players head or neck area, a foul would be a fair call. Contact made to any other part of the player’s body is just what football is, a contact sport.

Minnesota Vikings’ Head Coach Mike Zimmer Speaks

Some players and coaches have been vocal in their criticism of the helmet rule in the last week. Minnesota Vikings’ head coach Mike Zimmer has been one such coach. Per The Athletic, Zimmer is of the opinion that the rule will cost people their jobs:

“It’s going to cost some people some jobs. Playoffs, jobs, the whole bit, I guess. We haven’t had any called on us so far. It’s just hard to figure out. No one has ever said to me, don’t worry about it, we’re going to call it less, or we’ll get it straightened out in the regular season. Or we’re going to come up with a revised rule. No one has ever said that.”

With the high rate of coaching staff turnover in the NFL today, it is easy to see Zimmer’s concerns. Consequently, the upcoming season will see yet more pressure placed upon coaches to ensure their team performs.

A 15-yard penalty is enforced with the Use of Helmet rule. This is destined to affect the outcome of some games, especially during the playoffs.

Players Have Their Say

San Francisco 49ers veteran CB Richard Sherman has also denounced the helmet rule claiming the league will soon turn into flag football.

This comes after Sherman’s teammate, Raheem Mostert, received an unnecessary roughness penalty for leading with the head against the Houston Texans.

With two games remaining of the preseason, here’s hoping that NFL officials conduct further review prior to the kickoff of the regular season.