Rule question.

[McMichael]

Just wondering about stiff arms in the NFL. I see running backs or recievers all the time stiff arming people straight to the face, like grabbing their facemask and everything. Yet this is perfectly legal right? the offensive player can stiff arm someone to the face ??

 

[dolphan117]

Correct, the player with the ball can stiff arm to the face, I dont know if they could actually grab and twist but they can definantly stiff arm to the mask.

 

[rainmaker1313]

Just wondering about stiff arms in the NFL. I see running backs or recievers all the time stiff arming people straight to the face, like grabbing their facemask and everything. Yet this is perfectly legal right? the offensive player can stiff arm someone to the face ??

cant grab the facemask

 

[tdmiami]

It has to be an open or clenched hand. You cant get ur fingers all tied up in there face mask

 

[The Confessor]

And I think it is a rule that should have been changed since the beginning of time. I get tired of watching Lb's and D-backs having their neck twist cause an RB gets his cage. Doesnt seem fair at all IMO..

 

[HybridPHIN 23]

yes facemask penalties are strictly for grabbing a hold of the facemask.... a ball carrier can stiff arm any part of the uniform, so long as he doesn't grab the mask.

Funny thing about NFL rules is they outlawed the "horsecollar" tackle... but i don't believe they included the long hair "dred" tackle.. which they just deemed legal a few years back. Tell me what the difference is between grabbing someone by the back of their shoulder pads and grabbing them by their hair. :confused:

I don't understand the game like i used to....

 

[KingCrowder]

Just wondering about stiff arms in the NFL. I see running backs or recievers all the time stiff arming people straight to the face, like grabbing their facemask and everything. Yet this is perfectly legal right? the offensive player can stiff arm someone to the face ??

A stiff arm is pushing. the face mask rule is pulling on the mask.

 

[KingCrowder]

yes facemask penalties are strictly for grabbing a hold of the facemask.... a ball carrier can stiff arm any part of the uniform, so long as he doesn't grab the mask.

Funny thing about NFL rules is they outlawed the "horsecollar" tackle... but i don't believe they included the long hair "dred" tackle.. which they just deemed legal a few years back. Tell me what the difference is between grabbing someone by the back of their shoulder pads and grabbing them by their hair. :confused:

I don't understand the game like i used to....

There is a bigger chance for a neck injurie with a horsecollar tackle then there is by pulling someones hair.

 

[Daunt8TDChris84]

well what if you get hit with a violent sitff arm can it twist your neck?

 

[KingCrowder]

well what if you get hit with a violent sitff arm can it twist your neck?

There are a million ways a player can get hurt. if they were all banned we would be watching flag football.

 

[Daunt8TDChris84]

There are a million ways a player can get hurt. if they were all banned we would be watching flag football.

yes but a neck twist is nothing funny, i do hate the over protection of qb's.


If they cared so much for qb's why isnt there a rule no holding theyre shoulders while throwing. i mean isnt that the most area of concern for them to protect lol, but yet you can do that but not hit him a half second late lol just incredible.
They messed rich gannon's arm like that.

I do a agree no hit under legs unless your outside the pocket or scrambling,
cause if youre accross the line of scrimmage or scrambling you need to pay the price mr michael vick cause its not fair for qb's to take advantage of that.


Simple no hitting under waist in the pocket , youre out the pocket your now a football player BOOM.

 

[burger13]

And I think it is a rule that should have been changed since the beginning of time. I get tired of watching Lb's and D-backs having their neck twist cause an RB gets his cage. Doesnt seem fair at all IMO..

but I don't ever remember seeing an injury to a defender from a stiff-arm. I'm sure it may have happened a couple of times......but in about 20 years of watching games, I can't recall one.

 

[burger13]

There is a bigger chance for a neck injurie with a horsecollar tackle then there is by pulling someones hair.

The huge injury risk with a horse-collar tackle is legs.....just ask T.O., Musa Smith or Tyrone Calico.

IMO, you could accomplish the same effect with someone's long hair, as you could with the collar of their shoulder pads.....if you grad it and then immediately drop all of your wait, dragging them down backward.

 

[$$BWCJR78$$]

A stiff arm is pushing. the face mask rule is pulling on the mask.

Well what about illegal hands to the face by a db trying to jam a wr. thats pushing not pulling.
Shouldn't a stiff arm to the face be illegal hands to the face as well. i know its not in the rules but its only fair to both sides of the ball to be called the same.

 

[colmax]

yes facemask penalties are strictly for grabbing a hold of the facemask.... a ball carrier can stiff arm any part of the uniform, so long as he doesn't grab the mask.

Funny thing about NFL rules is they outlawed the "horsecollar" tackle... but i don't believe they included the long hair "dred" tackle.. which they just deemed legal a few years back. Tell me what the difference is between grabbing someone by the back of their shoulder pads and grabbing them by their hair. :confused:

I don't understand the game like i used to....

I think (but not sure if right) that IF someone has dreads, it could cover up a part of the uniform that could be used for a potential tackle. If an offensive player has dreads, and is tackled by a player (say, in a heads up wrap), the defensive player loses the ability to grab the back of the uniform.

I am guessing the NFL decided that this is an advantage for the offensive player. I mean, just looking at it from an extreme standpoint, someone COULD have hair down to their *** which could cover the entire backside of the uniform. Should the defensive player have to worry whether or not he accidentally pulls hair instead of uniform?

I do not know if this how the NFL sees it, but this is the only sense I can make from the rule.....