Aug 28, 2015 the 2015 new nfl rules explainer dez bryants controversial noncatch during a 2015 playoff game against the packers in january served as inspiration for a rule clarification. The material is also covered in the 2011 league policies for players manual, distributed to all players in training camp. Sep 06, 2018 welcome to the other side of the nfl s offseason of rule changes. Nov 30, 2010 included in rule 12, section 2 of the nfl rule book, and also of vital player safety importance, are the illegal chop block rules rule 12, section 2, article 16. Reality is, for 99 percent of the catches in the nfl, the rule very easily. The 2015 nfl season was the 96th season in the history of the national football league nfl, and the 50th of the super bowl era. Dec 09, 2015 the nfl has done a good job this season of consistently applying its wellfound catch rule, even if many fans dont like it. Under the new rule, riveron would have the authority to eject beckham and gronkowski. Officials rob redskins of picksix td after controversial. Since 2002 alone, the nfl has made 50 rules changes intended to. Where the word illegal appears in this rule book, it is an institutional term of art.
All offensive players other than those identified in article 5 above are ineligible to catch a legal or illegal forward pass thrown from behind. The nfl has done a good job this season of consistently applying its wellfound catch rule, even if many fans dont like it. Now commentators, and maybe even officials, look at the new rule in isolation, and fail to flag leaping shouldertohelmet catches. How the patriots are toying with the nfls rulebook and. Gives a receiver running a pass route defenseless player protection. The nfl rule book constantly evolving nfl football on ihavenet. For the 2018 nfl rule book, click here click to download file. Violations of this provision will be enforced after the interception, and the intercepting team will maintain possession. Posted november 18, 2015 in the ruling on the field russell street report the ruling on. Evolution of the nfl rules the custodians of football not only have protected its integrity, but have also revised its playing rules to protect the players, and to make the games fairer. A receiver running a pass route when the defender approaches from the side or behind. New ncaa rule protects defenseless players college football. Mar 18, 2015 every year the nfl competition committee convenes to discuss what changes might be made to the nfl rule book to make the game better, and they released their proposal for the 2015 nfl season. The nfl officiating committee explains the difference between a legal and an illegal hit on a defenseless players.
Aug 06, 2015 rule changes and points of emphasis for 2015 posted by mike spofford on august 6, 2015 5. One of 6 rule changes adopted for 2015 football season. The nfl rule book constantly evolving rule changes in the nfl have been made throughout the history of the nfl to improve the game, make it more exciting and reduce the risk of injury. Thats why the colston hit was a penalty and the reggie kelly hit to the back wasnt. The player hitting the defenseless receiver will receive a 15 yard penalty but the interception. Nfl admits ref wrongly applied new rule on defenseless. Any contact by the crown of the helmet to a defenseless player. An overview of nfl rule changes focused on protecting players over the past 30 years. The league known as the apf, a later changed to the nfl, was founded in 1920 and based its original set of rules on the college game. Patriots offensive coordinator josh mcdaniels will have to scrap a few plays. Were taking you through the evolution of nfl rules. Where the word illegal appears in this rule book, it is an institutional term of art pertaining. Forcibly hitting the defenseless player s head or neck area with the helmet, facemask, forearm, or shoulder, regardless of whether the defensive player also uses his arms to.
Included in the proposal is preseason implementation of a sky judge, one of nine formal rules all 32 teams will vote on during league meetings next week. Supplemental notes are often used for the same purpose 333. Nfl competition committee rewords rule to clarify definition. The nfl rulebook defines flagrant as extremely objectionable. Official rules of the nfl paperback october 1, 2009 by nfl author 3. Though, if you try to read the nfls lengthy rulebook, its hard to argue any of the rules in football are simple. Update on technology in coaching boothslocker rooms and secretaryrules editor. The committee, which met mondaywednesday, unanimously voted to increase the onfield penalty for targeting. So the nfl better pay up or we will have to deal with poor officiating, which is simply unheardof in the annals of nfl history. The important part not listed on page op linked, but that appears after you click view official rule.
These rules changes are being implemented to protect the nfl as much as, coughs loudly the wrs and player themselves. See rule 8, section 4, articles 14 for rules applicable to illegal contact with an eligible receiver. In most states, the nfhs rule book serves as the foundational rules system for. Football rules committee recommends ejection for targeting. Ncaa wont change ineligible receiver downfield rule in 2015. Jan 04, 2012 indeed, the nfl confused things in the new rule by not explicitly stating that you cant hit the head with the arm, shoulder, etc. Rule changes and points of emphasis for 2015 green bay packers. Aug 29, 2015 the nfl implemented a new rule this offseason protecting receivers from being hit in the head immediately following an interception.
Rules prohibiting illegal peel back blocks are extended to cover all offensive players. Mar 23, 2015 the nfl competition committee tweaked the rule for a catch, but even under the new wording, dallas cowboys receiver dez bryant still would not have had a successful grab in an nfc divisionalround. Nfl rule changes and points of emphasis to watch in 2015. Mar 06, 2015 the rule will remain 3 yards for the 2015 season. However, a kickerpunter is a defenseless player through the. Mar 19, 2015 tennessee proposed a rule change that would allow referees to enforce a foul for an illegal hit against a defenseless receiver when the onfield ruling is reversed from a catchfumble to an. The following rule changes were passed for the 2015 nfl season at the owners meeting on march 25, 2015. From a new standard for the catch to increased prohibitions on the use of helmets in contact, the league is awash in jargon and. If the receiver becomes a blocker or assumes a blocking posture, he is no longer a defenseless player. Refs are now hyperaware of the defenseless player rule because the nfl is being sued in a way that could threaten the league as we know it, and its going to need all the help it can get convincing a jury that it cares about player safety. Aug 26, 2014 the nfl needs to reconsider the rootcause, and application of rules, related to defenseless players, combined with the reality of what is possible for adherence of rules by defensive players. Nfl passes rule aimed at patriots ineligible receiver tactic.
Dec 27, 2011 the rule is very simple, you cant hit a defenseless receiver in the head. A standard of strict liability applies for any contact against a defenseless opponent, even if the opponent is an airborne player who is returning to the ground or whose body position is otherwise in motion, and irrespective of any acts by the defenseless opponent, such as ducking his head or curling up his body in anticipation of contact. Off to the side, meanwhile, ravens receiver steve smith sr. How wide receivers have evolved in the nfl the boston globe. Why are referees calling defenseless receiver penalties so. It is a foul if a player initiates unnecessary contact against a player who is in a defenseless posture. Heres an overview of nfl rule changes focused on protecting player health and safety over the past 30 years. The ncaa football rules committee took steps to further protect studentathletes by proposing a rule to eject players who target and contact defenseless players above the shoulders. This timeout is not to be charged to the team whose player is. Nfl teams receive formal rule changes proposal nfl owners will vote on proposed rules changes for the 2020 season next thursday. Nfl football operations protects the integrity of the game by ensuring that the rules and the officiating are consistent and fair to all competitors. The defenseless receiver rule itself is the problem.
I think the nfl has gone too far especially with the concept of a defenseless receiver, the league clearly made the right decision in 2005. The receiver position has evolved greatly over the past 80 years, since the nfl ruled in 1933 that forward passes could be thrown from anywhere behind the line of scrimmage. But when a referee applied that rule this offseason, it was not. Nfl competition committee proposes rule changes for the 2015. To celebrate the 50th season of the super bowl, a goldplated nfl logo and other various goldthemed promotions were used throughout the season. The following is taken from the 2011 nfl rule book pages 7374 and defines players who are in a defenseless posture. Well have it back up and running as soon as possible. This edition of the official playing rules of the national football league contains all current rules governing the playing of professional football that are in effect for the 2015 nfl season. Gives the intended receiver of a pass defenseless player protection. A receiver is considered a player in a defenseless posture see rule 12, section 2, article 9 throughout the entire process of the catch and until the player is capable of avoiding or warding off the impending contact of an opponent. The brief excerpt is of the texanscolts game held on september 11, 2011. Nfl attempts to clarify the defenseless player rules.
The nfl implemented a new rule this offseason protecting receivers from being hit in the head immediately following an interception. By rule, hill did not forcibly hit the defenseless players head or neck area. See rule 8, section 4, article 5 for rules applicable for an illegal cut block against an eligible receiver. The new rule means an automatic ejection along with the previous 15yard personal foul, and if the foul occurs in the second half, the player cant play until the second half of the following. The game of football can be real complex, so sit back. Mar 26, 2015 2015 nfl rules changes new, 14 comments the nfl altered or added a handful of new rules to the the rules book while at the annual nfl owners meetings in phoenix arizona this past week.
The nfl video rulebook explains nfl rules with video examples. Jan 21, 2015 as the nfl season reaches its climax, the patriots are getting creative and playful with a rule most teams take for granted. Nfl teams receive formal rule changes proposal national. The defenseless protection ceases when the player is deemed capable of warding off or avoiding the hit. The nfl rule book constantly evolving nfl football on. Rules prohibiting illegal peel back blocks are extended to cover all.
Jan 18, 2015 through rules changes, stricter enforcement, and player fines and suspensions, the n. Since 2015, the defense can score two points on an extrapoint try by blocking a kick or. Member clubs of the league may amend the rules from time to time, pursuant to the applicable voting procedures of the nfl constitution and bylaws. The destination for all national football leaguerelated video on the web. Nfhs expands definition of unnecessary roughness in football. Last year, college football faced blowback when it attempted to make offenses not snap the ball until 10 seconds had elapsed on the play clock. Allow a certified medical trainer to call a medical timeout when a player appears disoriented or concussed. Nfl health and safety related rules changes since 2002 nfl. Nfl rules changes and points of emphasis for 2015 nfl nation. Lets take a look at the nfl rulebook, and each layer of this call.