FanPost

Helmet safety rule - a loophole for teams losing at the end?

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

https://cfo.arbitersports.com/Groups/104777/Library/files/Addendum.pdf

This linked PDF is the rules addendum from a couple years ago that defined the new rule for participation when a helmet comes off. We all know by now that when a player's helmet comes off that is not due to a player on the other side intentionally ripping it off or pulling facemask, then that player must come off the field for one play unless the team decides to call a timeout. Normally what will happen is the officials will see the player without his helmet, whistle and stop the game clock, then once the team has a chance to substitute they reset the play clock and wind the game clock when appropriate. In normal game situations, the clock is reset to 25 seconds for an offensive player coming out and 40 seconds for a defensive player coming out. However, there is some nuance to this rule with a minute or less left in the half. Here is the rule in question:

"b. When the helmet coming off is the only reason for stopping the clock, the following conditions apply:

1. With one minute or more remaining in either half the play clock will be set at 25 seconds if the player is on offense and at 40 seconds if the player is on defense. The game clock will start on the referee’s signal.

2. If there is less than one minute in the half the opponent has the option of a 10-second subtraction. The play clock will be set at 25 seconds. If there is a 10-second subtraction the game clock will start on the referee’s signal. If there is no 10-second subtraction the game clock will start on the snap. The 10-second subtraction may be avoided by the use of a team timeout, if available. There is no option for a 10-second subtraction if helmets come off opposing players."

What this basically says is that if a helmet comes off with a minute left, the opposing team has two options:

A. Take the 10 second penalty and then let the clock run for 25 more seconds. This 5 seconds less total time than the normal 40 second play count between plays.

2. Do not take the 10 second penalty, but then the clock will not run until the next snap.

If the offense loses a helmet and the defense is trying to get the ball back, then option 2 is like a free timeout. If the offense is trying to run the clock out when the defense loses a helmet, then option A is more favorable but they lose 5 seconds of clock. If I am the defensive coach and just need a few more seconds to let my team get back on the field, I might coach my players to "accidentally" lose their helmet and save a few seconds. They do have to be careful about it, because if the player takes his own helmet off intentionally then they are flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct.

In tonight's game against Oklahoma State, Jameis was trying to hand the ball off a few times and run the clock out. On 3rd down the play was snapped with 46 seconds left and the tackle was whistled with 43 or 42 seconds left, and an OSU player in the middle lost his helmet. Without the helmet rule in place, FSU could wait to snap the next play until there were 2 or 3 seconds left, possibly to 0 if the time keeper was slow in resetting the clock. After a lengthy discussion, the officials ruled that the play ended with 41 seconds on the clock, the penalty reset it to 31, and then the play clock ran for 25 seconds down to :06, which forced Jameis to run around and throw a deep bomb to the back of the endzone to run the clock out and seal the game. OSU effectively saved at least 3 seconds.

A big deal on this play? No, but if the 3rd down in question was with 57 or 58 seconds then FSU would be forced to punt and the opposing team could potentially have an entire extra play to run. I think they should rewrite this rule and allow the coach to decline the 10 second penalty but get his 40 second play clock back.

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