So whats the call? Do you know the rules?

[JSPhoto]

We had an interesting play in one of my games last night and it got me curious, since it doesn't happen too often, to find out if those of you who soot football know the rule on this one. The player without the helmet is the ball carrier.... well, till it gets stripped by the player in white..... so who's ball is it? After a couple days I'll see if anyone has it right and post the rule.



Side note about this game:
The team in white hasn't won a game since late in 2004. Going into the 4th quarter they trailed and it looked like they were headed to another loss. Somehow or another though they got two field goals and a late TD to pull off the win. Fortunately they had a great crowd on hand even though it was an away game for them. The celebration that followed the game was one where you thought they just won the state championship, complete with the student body running onto the field after giving the players a chance to congratulate each other. After finding out what photos the paper uses I'll post some of the victory celebration.

[jkriminger]

It should be the cougars ball with a fumble recovery. Accidental helmet loss does not immediately end a play. There are many instances of offense and defensive players continuing a play with the loss of their helmet. Taking ones helmet off during or after the play on purpose is a unsportsman like penalty. ... me thinks

[masdog]

But its also high school football, and the rules might be different to protect the players from accidental head injury. I would say that play stopped as soon as the helmet came off.

[porterm]

dont know the rules in that particular jurisdiction,but in the nfl,that would be a strip or fumble recovery. had one situation a year or so ago when a player had the ball and fell,
he held the ball up in celabration after making a catch and falling down on his own,his knees never touched the ground(wasnt touched by an opposing player).while lying on his back, a real sharp defender simply ran up and took the ball fron his hands and ran it 60 yards or so for a defensive touchdown.

[ciddog91]

I say that it is white ball. A helmet comming off does not immediately stop the play unless there is great risk of injury (ie. running back loses helmet and is not tackled and wants to run the ball. Play ends).

I think.......

[Old Timer]

This appears to be the quarterback. Many leagues are protecting them more and more. The helmet has nothing to do with the play as others have said. However if the play were signaled dead because forward progress being stopped/quarterback in the grasp was achieved by the defensive team... then the strip of the ball would not count and green would retain possession. (Just need to add something different to the mix.)

[Homer]

Not sure on the rules but that's a great sequence JS.

Jim

[JETA]

The helmet flying off means nothing here. I posted one of Poopsie recently, but he held his helmet in his mouth. It was hysterical.

White ball or was there some sort of call made for roughing up the QB?

[JSPhoto]

Not sure on the rules but that's a great sequence JS.

Jim

Thanks Jim, fortunately the QB wasn't hurt on the play. I also have two others before these and several after as the ball stripper wasn't tackled and he ran 10 yards or so before he was taken down.

With all the responses I'll give the outcome tonight.

JS

[ciddog91]

OT... I never thought that it could be the QB... If it were, I may agree that the "in the grasp" rule may apply. Good thinking.....too many variables.....

Drum roll for the answer.......

[JSPhoto]

Well there were some interesting thoughts here on this play, and most said that the ball should go over to the team in white (Cougars).
The rules according to the NFHS (National Federation of High Schools) has it this way:

Player without the ball looses his helmet and play goes on

Player with the ball looses his helmet and the play is to be blown dead at the spot he lost his helmet..... so the team in green retained possesion. In this case it doesn't matter if it's the QB or whatever player, the rules the same if they have possesion of the ball.
This play was further confused because none of the officials blew their whistles when the helmet came off, they allowed play to continue before making the call. Thet then had to notify both benches of the rule.... it seemed none of the coaches knew it, but they agreed with the ruling. The fans for the Cougars weren't too thrilled so the AD went over and explained it to a few of the louder fans.

JS

[Old Timer]

Thanks for the lesson John. I didn't know about the ball carrier helmet rule. I'm ready the next time I see it happen.

[JETA]

How interesting! The instances I've seen with the helmets flying off hasn't been the carrier.

Here is my stupid question of the day. Do all high schools follow the NFHS rules?

[splats]

W
This play was further confused because none of the officials blew their whistles when the helmet came off, they allowed play to continue before making the call.

Well My answear was going to be white ball, because in the background I saw the ref did not have his whistle in his mouth which to me said the play was continueing.

great Sequeunce

Edit: What good is the rule if the refs don't know it and let the play continue, since it is obviously there for the protection of the player, it didn't really do much.

[JSPhoto]

How interesting! The instances I've seen with the helmets flying off hasn't been the carrier.

Here is my stupid question of the day. Do all high schools follow the NFHS rules?

JETA,
Well not all schools follow the NFHS rules, but I have never found one that doesn't. I have heard rumors that some private schools follow different rules...but I thought that was only for recruiting As for what other set of rules they'ed follow...I have no clue. There are some state groups that use modified NFHS so that may be it. I know the IHSSA follows the NFHS pretty stricktly, but believe there is room for "changes". :thumbsup: especially on a certiain sideline rule

JS

[JSPhoto]

Thanks for the lesson John. I didn't know about the ball carrier helmet rule. I'm ready the next time I see it happen.

Yup, I know the feeling, the AD explained...that guys a walking rulebook for all sports!

JS

[JSPhoto]

Well My answear was going to be white ball, because in the background I saw the ref did not have his whistle in his mouth which to me said the play was continueing.

great Sequeunce

Edit: What good is the rule if the refs don't know it and let the play continue, since it is obviously there for the protection of the player, it didn't really do much.

Thanks splats, and I am with you on the whistle thing, but that happens sometimes and to err is human, even for officials. It happens that the crew wasn't sure so they allowed it to play through then they huddled and as it turned out they made the right call... the white teams AD agreed 100% with the call.

JS

[tufcat]

Great shots there JS.

[JSPhoto]

Thanks tufcat,

Here is the first of the helmet coming off, that official had plenty of time to call the play dead but never did