Philosophical question

[Kalle]

Suggesting ANY contact with the head, without individual assessment of the circumstances, is somehow a foul is extremely broad and rejects the reality of contact between indivuals colliding, at significant speed, at times being totally unintentional.  Revoming observeable judgment  and following a "One size fits all" determination is a dangerous practice.

The NCAA rules do require the contact to the head/neck area to be material, forceful and with an intent to punish. The list of players afforded the extra protection is partially non-judgemental, and that is a good thing, IMO.

[VALJ]

Suggesting ANY contact with the head, without individual assessment of the circumstances, is somehow a foul is extremely broad and rejects the reality of contact between indivuals colliding, at significant speed, at times being totally unintentional.  Revoming observeable judgment  and following a "One size fits all" determination is a dangerous practice.

Under NFHS code, unintentional illegal helmet contact is still a foul.  Intent's not a factor.

[AlUpstateNY]

Under NFHS code, unintentional illegal helmet contact is still a foul.  Intent's not a factor.

There are 3 distinct types of "Illegal Helmet Contact" under the NFHS code, each of which, as you note, is a separate and distinct foul.  What I was referring to are those situations where NONE of those 3 specific fouls occur, but there is contact between the heads of opposing players.  Often, such contact is simply the result of two individuals, moving at considerable speed, resulting in contact of their respective heads.

In these situations there may well be no indication of who, is actually guilty of contacting whom, and therefore there is no foul committed by either party.  I was suggesting the verbiage that, "If you have any contact to the head ", is somehow an automatic penalty, is simply far too broad a comment.

[Johnponz]

I agree.  There can be incidental contact that results in helmets touching each other.  That is not a foul.   I would venture to say most of the time when 2 helmets hit there is no foul.  One of the players has to "initiate the contact."  Of course when in question, it is a foul.