Post by MizzouTiger on Feb 14, 2008 11:12:04 GMT -5
www.kansascity.com/sports/story/489166.html
NCAA cracking down on dangerous hits in football
By BLAIR KERKHOFF
The Kansas City Star
Dangerous hits, especially with the helmet, are being legislated out of college football.
The NCAA Football Rules Committee announced proposed changes Wednesday that promote safety, giving officials more latitude in penalizing helmet-related contact and other hits.
“Specifically, the committee is addressing players that use the crown of their helmet and players that target defenseless opponents when making contact above the shoulders,” said Rogers Redding, Southeastern Conference coordinator of officials.
Also targeted were chop blocks and horse-collar tackles.
The committee eliminated many of the conditions that have made the chop block — a block below the waist from the side or behind — difficult to call. Previously, officials had to know where on the field and where on a defender’s body (at the thigh or below) the block was made to determine its legality.
Last season, All-America LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey suffered a severe knee sprain on a chop block against Auburn (check out the clip on YouTube). No flag was thrown, but LSU coach Les Miles called it “immoral” after viewing tape of the play. Dorsey played injured for the final few games of the regular season.
Another safety proposal deals with the horse-collar tackle. Players are now prohibited from grabbing the inside back collar of the shoulder pads or jersey, or the inside collar of the side of the shoulder pads or jersey, and immediately pulling the runner down.
“The committee is giving our game officials more tools to penalize potentially dangerous contact,” Redding said.
Other rules changes that will be considered by the Playing Rules Oversight Panel before taking effect:
•40-second rule. Unless the game is stopped for administrative reasons (injury, change of possession) the offensive team will have 40 seconds to snap the ball after it is declared dead.
•Clock/out of bounds. Except in the final 2 minutes of each half, after a runner goes out of bounds, the clock will start on the signal from the referee and not when the ball is snapped.
•Winning another challenge. In replay rules, a team with a successful challenge retains the right to make another challenge for a maximum of two.
•New kickoff penalty. When a kickoff goes out of bounds, the receiving team will have the option of taking the ball on the 40 instead of the 35.
NCAA cracking down on dangerous hits in football
By BLAIR KERKHOFF
The Kansas City Star
Dangerous hits, especially with the helmet, are being legislated out of college football.
The NCAA Football Rules Committee announced proposed changes Wednesday that promote safety, giving officials more latitude in penalizing helmet-related contact and other hits.
“Specifically, the committee is addressing players that use the crown of their helmet and players that target defenseless opponents when making contact above the shoulders,” said Rogers Redding, Southeastern Conference coordinator of officials.
Also targeted were chop blocks and horse-collar tackles.
The committee eliminated many of the conditions that have made the chop block — a block below the waist from the side or behind — difficult to call. Previously, officials had to know where on the field and where on a defender’s body (at the thigh or below) the block was made to determine its legality.
Last season, All-America LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey suffered a severe knee sprain on a chop block against Auburn (check out the clip on YouTube). No flag was thrown, but LSU coach Les Miles called it “immoral” after viewing tape of the play. Dorsey played injured for the final few games of the regular season.
Another safety proposal deals with the horse-collar tackle. Players are now prohibited from grabbing the inside back collar of the shoulder pads or jersey, or the inside collar of the side of the shoulder pads or jersey, and immediately pulling the runner down.
“The committee is giving our game officials more tools to penalize potentially dangerous contact,” Redding said.
Other rules changes that will be considered by the Playing Rules Oversight Panel before taking effect:
•40-second rule. Unless the game is stopped for administrative reasons (injury, change of possession) the offensive team will have 40 seconds to snap the ball after it is declared dead.
•Clock/out of bounds. Except in the final 2 minutes of each half, after a runner goes out of bounds, the clock will start on the signal from the referee and not when the ball is snapped.
•Winning another challenge. In replay rules, a team with a successful challenge retains the right to make another challenge for a maximum of two.
•New kickoff penalty. When a kickoff goes out of bounds, the receiving team will have the option of taking the ball on the 40 instead of the 35.