Lose your helmet during a play? Stop right where you are (plus a look at other rules changes)
Published: 7/24/2012 1:23 PM
Last Modified: 7/24/2012 1:23 PM
Imagine telling a speeding Tom Wort to stop playing football while pursuing a Texas running back. Or asking center Ben Habern to halt protection of his quarterback in the middle of a play.
Some football instincts will have to be shunned this year following NCAA rules changes.
One of the biggest topics of discussion during the Big 12 Media Days presentation by Walt Anderson, the Big 12’s coordinator of officials, was what happens when a helmet comes off a player during play. A player must stop immediately and then sit out the next play, similar to what happens when a player is injured. If the player is the ball carrier, the play is whistled dead immediately.
If a helmet-less player continues to play while the ball is live, it is a 15-yard personal foul penalty. Also, if a player intentionally removes his helmet during a down, it will be a 15-yard penalty as well.
The rule was changed to protect the players. Anderson said helmets came off 140 times during games involving Big 12 teams last season.
My thoughts: It’ll be hard to harness a player in the heat of battle, but it’s something that coaches will have to instruct their players on. Plus, helmets probably will be tightened on a player’s head.
Other major rules changes include:
* Kickoff changes. Kickoffs will be from the 35-yard line this season and, if there is a touchback, the receiving team will get the ball at its 25-yard line.
After the kickoff has been made ready for play, only the kicker may be more than five yards from the restraining line and, if any other player kicks the ball, it will be a penalty.
The receiving team will have fair catch protection whether the ball is kicked directly off the tee or if the ball is driven to the ground one time and then takes a big hop.
My thoughts: The onside kick attempts will be different to watch. There’s little doubt that kickers spent the off-season trying to perfect different ways to get obscure bounces during the off-season. Also, kickoff lineups will look awfully different as well. There won’t be a running start any more.
* Blocking below the waist: Any player that is beyond the neutral zone may not block below the waist toward his own goal line (a peelback block). So wide receivers coming back to lay blocks can’t go low on defenders.
Linemen who, at the snap, are more than seven yards from the middle lineman of the offensive formation and backs, at the snap, are aligned with the frame of his body completely outside the tackle box or completely outside the frame of the body of a second lineman from the snapper in either direction cannot block below the waist. A back who is in motion at the snap and, if at any time, his motion was outside the tackle-to-tackle box cannot block below the waist.
My thoughts: Basically, this is to protect players and a good rule to keep away devastating blindside hits on defenders.
* No acrobatic leaps on punt blocks: Players can no longer attempt to block a punt by trying to jump over three-man walls in front of punters. To do so results in a 15-yard penalty and automatic first down.
Players can attempt to block a punt by jumping straight up in front of the wall without intent to leap over a defender. They can also jump through the gap between two players.
My thoughts: This rule could take away the aggressiveness of punt blockers and force special team coaches to work on punt returns.
* Interference with the opportunity to catch a kick: This is similar to the halo rule. Before a receiver touches the ball, a member of the kicking team enters the area defined by the width of the receiver’s shoulders and extending one yard in front of him. A flag means a 15-yard penalty.
My thoughts: This is another safety issue that could lead to more flags on defending teams. Defenders will have to be aware of their distance of returners. This is a good rule.
Written by
Eric Bailey
Sports Writer
