Facemask? Illegal hands to the face?? Good ol' stiff arm???

[tyro01]

Based on the photo, what questions would you have about if there are any fouls or why there would not be any fouls.

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[ElvisLives]

I will be interested to see comments from NFHS experts.  But, this is always a dangerous practice to make a judgment based upon a single still photo.
But, at the moment of the photo, for NCAA, there is no foul here.  Placing a hand on the BCs facemask - even continuously - is not a foul.  Similarly, the BC placing a hand on an opponent's facemask - even continuously - is not a foul.  Not until they get their fingers around a bar and are 'grasping', AND twisting/turning the helmet. No foul, otherwise. (I'm pretty sure this is different in NFHS - y'all still have a the 5 yard and 15 yard FM fouls.)
 

[SCHSref]

I will be interested to see comments from NFHS experts.  But, this is always a dangerous practice to make a judgment based upon a single still photo.
But, at the moment of the photo, for NCAA, there is no foul here.  Placing a hand on the BCs facemask - even continuously - is not a foul.  Similarly, the BC placing a hand on an opponent's facemask - even continuously - is not a foul.  Not until they get their fingers around a bar and are 'grasping', AND twisting/turning the helmet. No foul, otherwise. (I'm pretty sure this is different in NFHS - y'all still have a the 5 yard and 15 yard FM fouls.)
 

That looks like he is turning the helmet in that photo. However, I believe that you are correct in saying that you can't make a judgement based on the photo.

[ElvisLives]

That looks like he is turning the helmet in that photo. However, I believe that you are correct in saying that you can't make a judgement based on the photo.

Does NHFS NOT require the fingers to get 'hooked' on, or wrapped around, the facemask bars?  (Simple turning of the head/helmet is not a criterion, on its own, for NCAA.)

[SCHSref]

Does NHFS NOT require the fingers to get 'hooked' on, or wrapped around, the facemask bars?  (Simple turning of the head/helmet is not a criterion, on its own, for NCAA.)

Any opening of the helmet, not just facemask

[AlUpstateNY]

Does NHFS NOT require the fingers to get 'hooked' on, or wrapped around, the facemask bars?  (Simple turning of the head/helmet is not a criterion, on its own, for NCAA.)

The word you're looking for is "grasp" (NFHS: 9-4-3-h).

[VerticalStripes]

I know we have a still photo but by NFHS this is likely at least a 5 yard facemask. Any twisting of the head would make it 15.

[ElvisLives]

Any opening of the helmet, not just facemask

Same for NCAA, but the point of the question is: Does NFHS require the fingers to get hooked or fully wrapped around a facemask bar or other opening to be considered a foul?  In the photo presented, the hands are simply laying on the face masks, with no finger(s) hooked or wrapped around any bar or opening, which is not a foul in NCAA. I’ve seen many, many instances of the head being turned under similar circumstances, which is, also, not a foul in NCAA.  Is that a foul in NFHS?

[GA Umpire]

Same for NCAA, but the point of the question is: Does NFHS require the fingers to get hooked or fully wrapped around a facemask bar or other opening to be considered a foul?  In the photo presented, the hands are simply laying on the face masks, with no finger(s) hooked or wrapped around any bar or opening, which is not a foul in NCAA. I’ve seen many, many instances of the head being turned under similar circumstances, which is, also, not a foul in NCAA.  Is that a foul in NFHS?

Guys:
Below is from the 2018 NFHS casebook.  It may answer your questions.


 9.4.3 SITUATION J:

As B5 attempts to tackle A6, he has his hand on the helmet but does not have his fingers in the face mask or inside the helmet.

RULING: No foul as B5 did not grasp the face mask/helmet opening or attached tooth and mouth protector.


This case play appears to require the fingers to be in the face mask, not just touching it.

[ElvisLives]

Guys:
Below is from the 2018 NFHS casebook.  It may answer your questions.


 9.4.3 SITUATION J:

As B5 attempts to tackle A6, he has his hand on the helmet but does not have his fingers in the face mask or inside the helmet.

RULING: No foul as B5 did not grasp the face mask/helmet opening or attached tooth and mouth protector.


This case play appears to require the fingers to be in the face mask, not just touching it.

GA Umpire,
Thank you.  Answers the question completely.  Same for NCAA.
Robert

[bama_stripes]

The NFHS 5-yd FM penalty is for “grasp-and-release.”  The 15-yd penalty is for “grasp-and-turn.”

In the photo, there’s no apparent foul — yet.  But remember that a striking blow to the facemask is still a PF.  It’s just not a FM.