Spearing

[NVFOA_Ump]

Hopefully that fact that we have never previously flagged a penalty for a clear rules violation has no part in our decision to flag it when we do see it.

[TXMike]

If you saw the same act before and did not flag and there is not a rule change, why would you consider flagging it now???

[NVFOA_Ump]

IMO when we getter more educated in the rules and the clear intent of the rules and we better understand that we really should have been flagging something all along, we've become better officials.  With all of the information I've read and seen since the end of last season I'm now of the clear and unquestionable opinion that any player that lowers his head and leads with his helmet is without question trying to punish his opponent.

That fact that we did not flag it "last year", or even last game, has absolutely no bearing on the fact that we should be getting it right.  That applies no matter how many times we've failed to get it right in the past.

This year every hit where any player lowers his helmet such that first contact is with the crown of the helmet gets my flag.   

[Blue]

Roy, with all due respect, if you call a spearing foul every time a runner lowers his head and hits a potential tackler, it is going to be a long season for the teams you work, their coaches, their fans, your crewmates and yourself.  I can tell from your posts that you know your rules and I would assume you're a good official.  But, you are taking this too far.  I watched a replay of the Rutgers spring game tonight on CSTV and runners lowered their heads and hit would-be tacklers on almost every play.  There was no intent to punish anyone.  It's part of the game.  Dangerous as it may be, it is part of the game.  Your flag isn't going to change that; it's only going to make you look like an "over-officious jerk".  Take some advice from someone that's been around a long time, call this just like you have in previous years.

[BryanG]

IMO when you see spearing it will stand out to you. Just like pass interference, blocking below the waste, etc. You guys don't need to go hunting spearing calls. If you look for them you will find something that resembles it every play somewhere on the field.  (just like holding).  Call the obvious and let the rest of go.

[NVFOA_Ump]

Blue,  I think Brian has it right.  When you see the actual play you will know when it's spearing.  And I've only seen it called a couple of times.  That being said, the play described that started this long ago looks to me when I envision it in live action as a classic spearing call.  No played can intentionally do what is described in the play without it being spearing.  Two players out in the open field coming together at full speed and just before contact one lowers his head and leads with the crown of his helmet.

[AustinBeavis]

I think most everyone agrees, that you bascially have to see what the runner did in this particular instance.  But, the rule does not exclude offensive players.  It says, "No player".


k. No player shall continuously contact an opponent’s helmet (including
the face mask) with hand(s) or arm(s) (Exception: By or against the
runner).
l. No player shall use his helmet (including the face mask) to butt or ram
an opponent in an attempt to punish him (A.R. 9-1-2-XVI).
m. There shall be no spearing (A.R. 9-1-2-XVII).
n. No player shall strike a runner with the crown or the top of his helmet in
an attempt to punish him.

[wingnut]

I agree with Blue's axiom:  don't go looking for something that isn't there, don't trouble trouble. 

I would have to see evidence of an extraordinary and/or flagrant personal foul for me to judge spearing against a runner.  I don't think it's impossible, but it would definitely be a "freak" play.  A runner simply lowering his head to fight for extra yardage doesn't meet that standard, in my opinion.  I think the Earl Campbell clip might.

I am much less technical when judging spearing against the defense.

[mccormicw]

 http://youtu.be/gtXfgSiEb0A

Do we throw a flag for this type of contact?

[centexsports]

I am in agreement that in the original question, I would not call a foul at the high school level.   However, I would like the UIL to consider this as a point of emphasis, so that this practice is called at either sub-varsity or junior high levels.  I see this at many junior high games where the biggest, fastest, strongest kid is the running back and he will lower his head and bowl over defenders.   I have never called it but it has scared me a few time.     

If we could stop the practice there, it might slow it down or stop it at higher levels.     

[fencewire]

take off their helmets/shoulder pads and put flags on them..

problem solved.

 

[110]

I've called this on the runningback before. It's gotta be pretty serious - like this. Then again, it's also noted in the language of the Canuck rule book that the ball carrier is also just as responsible for controlling his head as the tacklers.

[mccormicw]

Points of Emphasis
The NCAA Football Rules Committee has extraordinary pride in the Football
Code, which was introduced in 1916 and has been updated several times.
These guidelines form a harmony of agreement among coaches, players, game
officials and administrators that places each contest in an environment of
fairness and sportsmanship. It is noted that the Code emphasizes the following
unethical practices: “Using the helmet as a weapon. The helmet is for protection
of the player...” and “players and coaches should emphasize the elimination of
targeting and initiating contact against a defenseless opponent and/or with the
crown of the helmet.” Every participant in the collegiate football scene shares
a responsibility for ethical conduct that enhances the future of this American
tradition. 

PROTECTION OF DEFENSELESS PLAYERS AND CROWN-OFHELMET
ACTION—In 2008, the committee introduced a separate rule
prohibiting initiating contact with the helmet and targeting a defenseless
opponent. These actions are now in two rules: Targeting/Initiating Contact
With the Crown of the Helmet (Rule 9-1-3) and Defenseless Player: Contact to
Head or Neck Area (Rule 9-1-4). Use of the helmet as a weapon and intentional
(targeted) contact to the head or neck area are serious safety concerns. Flagrant
offenders must be disqualified from the game. The committee continues to
emphasize that coaches and officials must be diligent to insure that players
understand and abide by these rules.

[Diablo]

http://youtu.be/gtXfgSiEb0A
Do we throw a flag for this type of contact?

I wouldn't.
See AR 9-1-4-2.  As ball carrier A20 sweeps around the end and heads upfield, he lowers his head and contacts defensive end B89 who is trying to tackle him. The players meet helmet to helmet. RULING: No foul. Neither A20 nor B89 is a defenseless player and neither has targeted his opponent in the sense of Rule 9-1-3.

[ret66482]

If the runner hits him with the crown of the helmet he should be flagged for it.

Rule 9-1-3: No player shall target and initiate contact against an opponent with the crown (top) of his helmet. When in question, it is a foul.

This rule would justify the flag (again if with the crown of his helmet).  In reviewing a game film once, I saw a runner lower his head and take out the defensive back.  There should have been a flag on the but the two officials that saw it did not because it was the runner.  After looking at the film, we all were in agreement that it should have been flagged. 

IMO it is easier to wave off a flag (after some discussion), than to ignore a possible foul that could injure a player.

[James]

I had a running back on my team a few years ago who could have been flagged for spearing on a regular basis.

You know in movies how two guys in a bar square off and one leans back a bit, then like a cobra strikes forward and gives a headbutt? This player did that to the tacklers on a regular basis. You could clearly see him pulling his head back and throwing it forward to strike with as the tackler got to just the right position.
If I remember correctly he got called for it a few times as well (when it was flagrent).
Wouldn't stop him doing it again - some tigers can't change their stripes.