New Rules: Illegal Participation Question

[Snaptackleback]

Best way to ask this question is to just give a scenario:


Lineman B55 has his helmet removed from an illegal hands to the face foul by Lineman A66. Lineman B55 then pursues ball carrier A24 without his helmet and makes the tackle.

What fouls are on this play?


Are we going to penalize B55 for Illegal Participation although his helmet was removed because of a foul? I couldn't find anything in the rulebook for address this exact scenario but according to the language of the rulebook, this would be a foul for illegal participation. Also, according to Referee Magazine this month, it would be a foul.


One more scenario:

Same as before except during Lineman B55 pursuit of ball carrier A24, he is blocked by A32.


Man, you talk about a difficult play to officiate!

[JKinGA29]

The fact that his helmet was removed due to a foul by A is only relevant in that B55 would not have to leave the game for a play.  As best I can tell, the Illegal Participation and Personal Foul provisions added this year apply regardless of how the helmet is removed.  The play you describe is Illegal Participation by B55 for continuing to participate after his helmet was removed (9-6-4g).  The point of the rule is to stop players from participating without a helmet.  You would have a double foul situation and replay the down.

In your second scenario, A32 has committed a personal foul (9-4-3l).  Still double foul and replay the down.

[Snaptackleback]

I thought so. Just looking for some clarification. It was brought up at our meeting last night. I first thought that it would NOT be illegal participation initially but after thinking more about it and reading up on it, I agree that it would be illegal participation on B55. The 2nd scenario I simply brought up to show how difficult it could be to officiate. You rarely have 3 fouls on 1 play. The backside official is going to have to stay focus and mop up to officiate some of these plays to make sure that the helmetless player is not blocked. Definitely something to pre-game!

[bama_stripes]

This is addressed pretty clearly in the NFHS PowerPoint presentation.  Also, this year's Aloha video has several good examples, including when a helmet-less player is NOT guilty of IP.