Bo Buchanan

Recent Comments
I would like to help everyone understand the rule. There are two rules on the books. No player shall target and initiate contact against an opponent with the crown (top) of his helmet. When in question, it is a foul. (Rule 9-1-3). Period. The player receiving the hit does NOT have to be deemed defenseless. There has to be a targeting intent but one definition in the rules is * Lowering the head before attacking by initiating contact with the crown of the helmet It doesn’t even have to be a strike to the head / neck area. Basically, you cannot use the crown of the helmet as a striking force. There is another rule that seems to confuse people. It is the rule protecting the defenseless player. No player shall target and initiate contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent with the helmet, forearm, fist, elbow or shoulder. When in question, it is a foul. (Rule 9-1-4) The rule again has to have elements of targeting, but expands the concept to when a player is defenseless, you can’t hit him in the head / neck with any part of the helmet, forearm, fist, elbow or shoulder. So basically it is this 1. NEVER hit with the crown of your helmet. 2. IF the player is defenseless, don’t hit him in the head. It is that simple and needs to be instructed that way at all levels of football. These rules are not as clear as they need to be. They are the future of the sport we love. We have to protect the players. Many coaches are confused by the rule addressing a defenseless player, but it also protects all players from receiving a hit (delivering the hit with the crown can be just, if not more, dangerous) from the crown of a helmet anywhere and at any time. I hope this helps and I hope we can communicate this to a large audience to protect our players and the future of football. I submit respectfully.
I believe this is incorrect. There are two rules on the books. No player shall target and initiate contact against an opponent with the crown (top) of his helmet. When in question, it is a foul. (Rule 9-1-3). Period. The player receiving the hit does NOT have to be deemed defenseless. There has to be a targeting intent but one definition in the rules is * Lowering the head before attacking by initiating contact with the crown of the helmet It doesn't even have to be a strike to the head / neck area. Basically, you cannot use the crown of the helmet as a striking force. Clearly this is the case here. There is another rule that seems to confuse people, but it is not relevant here. It is the rule protecting the defenseless player. No player shall target and initiate contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent with the helmet, forearm, fist, elbow or shoulder. When in question, it is a foul. (Rule 9-1-4) The rule again has to have elements of targeting, but expands the concept to when a player is a defenseless you can't hit him in the head / neck with any part of the helmet, forearm, fist or shoulder. So basically it is this 1. NEVER hit with the crown of your helmet. 2. IF the player is defenseless, don't hit him in the head. It is that simple and needs to be instructed that way at all levels of football. These rules are not as clear as they need to be. They are the future of the sport we love. We have to protect the players. Saban is not different in his thinking as many coaches are confused by the rule addressing defenseless player, but it also protects all players from receiving a hit (delivering the hit with the crown can be just, if not more dangerous) from the crown of a helmet anywhere and at any time. I hope this helps and I hope we can communicate this to a large audience to protect our players and the future of football. I submit respectfully.