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514 Questions

Last Answer on January 23, 2021

A blocker is not allowed to put his hands on the opponents face mask, so why can a running use a stiff arm into the face Masks? This seems inconsistent.

Asked by Ace57 almost 9 years ago

The runner can't grab and twist. He can push off the facemask. Hands to the facemask usually involves pushing up under the mask, putting pressure on the opponent's neck and head. It's a judgment call.

652 Votes

Why are players penalized for excessive celebration when they score a touchdown, but Green Bay players can actually LEAVE the playing field, join the spectators in the stands, and that is not only acceptable, but cutely named the Lambeau Leap?

Asked by James about 9 years ago

Good question. I don't have the NFL rule. But using college as a guide, you can't draw excessive attention to yourself (e.g. a choreographed dance, or taking a marker from the goalpost padding and "signing" the ball). My best guess is that the Lambeau Leap pre-dated the rulings about excessive celebration and it is more a sharing/bonding moment with the fans than highlighting the player. If I'm not mistaken, other players have interacted with fans without a penalty.

652 Votes

Refs throw flags for a "hit on a defenseless receiver" after the catch is made, the receiver turns his head and takes several steps. Why no flag for Emmanuel Sanders when he lays out for an incompletion and gets creamed without seeing it coming?

Asked by Adam almost 9 years ago

I can't answer that - I did not see it. Sorry

651 Votes

When a running back uses a stiff arm to the facemask...Shouldn't it be a penalty?? I've notice that linemen get flagged for hands to the face quite often so what would the difference be between that and a stiff arm to the facemask?

Asked by Scott about 10 years ago

A RB stiff arming usually is pushing away the defender. It is not the upward stretching/straining motion that you're talking about with OLs. If a RB were to grab the facemask and twist or hold onto it, then you have a foul.

650 Votes

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In last weeks FL LSU game, the kick holder throws a pass from a 'kneeling' position. Legal or not? His knee was down.

Asked by Henry about 9 years ago

As I answered in another question about this play....Legal. If he went up to catch a high snap, he can still return to hold the snap. He could also throw as you describe. If he stands (for no other reason than he wants to) and then returns to the ground, he is down. Dead ball.

650 Votes

Tackling a player by his long hair is a personal foul and thereby precludes the ability of the tackler from grabbing the jersey from behind. Why does the NFL not mandate a hair within the helmet rule and level the field. This is not fair.

Asked by tommdawg about 10 years ago

I didn't see the game or play and I'm not sure of the NFL rule. That isn't the rule in HS or college. The hair is just a part of the body. Based on hw you describe it, I agree with you.

650 Votes

in college when a players helmet comes off is the play blown dead then or is it allowed to continue

Asked by millometter about 10 years ago

There are several scenarios to what you ask. If a ball carrier's helmet comes off, the play is dead immediately. That's a safety issue. If anyone else's helmet comes off, they have an opportunity to step away and not participate; the play goes on. If a player's helmet comes off and he is already engaged (making a play on the runner, in process of making a block) he may continue. If a player's helmet comes off, he may not continue to play (beyond a step or two) or it is a personal foul.

647 Votes

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Football Official

Ask me anything!

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A blocker is not allowed to put his hands on the opponents face mask, so why can a running use a stiff arm into the face Masks? This seems inconsistent.

Why are players penalized for excessive celebration when they score a touchdown, but Green Bay players can actually LEAVE the playing field, join the spectators in the stands, and that is not only acceptable, but cutely named the Lambeau Leap?

Refs throw flags for a "hit on a defenseless receiver" after the catch is made, the receiver turns his head and takes several steps. Why no flag for Emmanuel Sanders when he lays out for an incompletion and gets creamed without seeing it coming?

When a running back uses a stiff arm to the facemask...Shouldn't it be a penalty?? I've notice that linemen get flagged for hands to the face quite often so what would the difference be between that and a stiff arm to the facemask?

Also on Jobstr...

In last weeks FL LSU game, the kick holder throws a pass from a 'kneeling' position. Legal or not? His knee was down.

Tackling a player by his long hair is a personal foul and thereby precludes the ability of the tackler from grabbing the jersey from behind. Why does the NFL not mandate a hair within the helmet rule and level the field. This is not fair.

in college when a players helmet comes off is the play blown dead then or is it allowed to continue

Football Official

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

A blocker is not allowed to put his hands on the opponents face mask, so why can a running use a stiff arm into the face Masks? This seems inconsistent.

Why are players penalized for excessive celebration when they score a touchdown, but Green Bay players can actually LEAVE the playing field, join the spectators in the stands, and that is not only acceptable, but cutely named the Lambeau Leap?

Refs throw flags for a "hit on a defenseless receiver" after the catch is made, the receiver turns his head and takes several steps. Why no flag for Emmanuel Sanders when he lays out for an incompletion and gets creamed without seeing it coming?

When a running back uses a stiff arm to the facemask...Shouldn't it be a penalty?? I've notice that linemen get flagged for hands to the face quite often so what would the difference be between that and a stiff arm to the facemask?

Also on Jobstr...

In last weeks FL LSU game, the kick holder throws a pass from a 'kneeling' position. Legal or not? His knee was down.

Tackling a player by his long hair is a personal foul and thereby precludes the ability of the tackler from grabbing the jersey from behind. Why does the NFL not mandate a hair within the helmet rule and level the field. This is not fair.

in college when a players helmet comes off is the play blown dead then or is it allowed to continue

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