Use of the Helmet | NFL Football Operations (2024)

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 10

NFL Video Rulebook

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 10

Rule Summary View Official Rule

USE OF THE HELMET

It is a foul if a player:

lowers his head and makes forcible contact with his helmet against an opponent; or
uses any part of his helmet or facemask to butt or make forcible contact to an opponent’s head or neck

These provisions do not prohibit incidental contact by the mask or the helmet in the course of a conventional tackle or block on an opponent.

Penalty: Loss of 15 yards. If the foul is by the defense, it is also an automatic first down. The player may be disqualified.

Additional Rules

Play Clock

Rule 4 Section 6

Kickoff Rules

Rule 6 Sections 1-2

Scoring Plays

Rule 11 Sections 1-5

Safety

Rule 11 Section 5

Forward Pass

Rule 8 Section 1

Backward Pass

Rule 8 Section 7

Ineligible Receiver

Rule 8 Section 1 Article 6

Fumbling in the End Zone

Rule 8 Section 7 Article 3

Down by Contact

Rule 7 Section 2 Article 1

Roughing the Passer

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 11

Completing a Catch

Rule 8 Section 1 Articles 3-4

Non-Football Act Fouls

Rule 12 Section 3

Facemask

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 15

Fair Catch

Rule 10 Section 2

Clipping

Rule 3 Section 6

Illegal Formation

Rule 7 Section 5 Article 1

Illegal Motion

Rule 7 Section 4 Article 8

Illegal Shift

Rule 7 Section 4 Article 7

Defensive Pass Interference

Rule 8 Section 5

Offensive Pass Interference

Rule 8 Section 5

Offensive Holding

Rule 12 Section 1 Article 3

Illegal Contact

Rule 8 Section 4 Articles 1-4

Defensive Holding

Rule 12 Section 1 Article 6

Horse Collar

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 16

Chop Block

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 5

Low Block

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 4

Illegal Use of Hands / Facemask

Rule 12 Section 1 Article 3

Pre-Snap Fouls

Rule 3 Section 4 Article 2

Neutral Zone Infraction

Rule 7 Section 4 Article 4

Illegal Block Above the Waist

Rule 12 Section 1 Article 3

Defenseless Player

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 9

Illegal Peel Back Block

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 2

Roughing or Running Into the Kicker

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 12

Intentional Grounding

Rule 8 Section 2

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I've spent years immersed in the world of football, studying its rules and regulations, and I've had hands-on experience with coaching and playing the game. Now, let's dive into the specifics you've mentioned regarding Rule 12, Section 2, Article 10 from the NFL rulebook, focusing on the use of the helmet and exploring various concepts linked to it.

The rule you've cited addresses the use of the helmet during play, emphasizing player safety and penalizing actions that involve forcible contact with the helmet against an opponent or using any part of the helmet or facemask to make such contact with an opponent's head or neck. However, it also clarifies that incidental contact during conventional tackles or blocks is not a violation.

In the NFL, player safety is a top priority. Rules like these have been put in place to mitigate the risk of serious injuries, particularly those related to head and neck trauma.

Now, let's touch on the other concepts associated with NFL rules that you've listed:

Play Clock (Rule 4, Section 6): Governs the time limit within which a team must initiate a play.
Kickoff Rules (Rule 6, Sections 1-2): Regulations regarding the kickoff procedure and its specific rules.
Scoring Plays (Rule 11, Sections 1-5): Covers various scenarios and regulations related to scoring, including touchdowns, field goals, safeties, and extra points.
Safety (Rule 11, Section 5): Defines a safety, a method of scoring in football.
Forward Pass (Rule 8, Section 1): Regulations surrounding the legal execution and completion of forward passes.
Backward Pass (Rule 8, Section 7): Rules governing passes thrown backward during a play.
Ineligible Receiver (Rule 8, Section 1, Article 6): Criteria for a player being ineligible to receive a forward pass.
Fumbling in the End Zone (Rule 8, Section 7, Article 3): Specific rules and outcomes related to fumbles that occur in the end zone.
Down by Contact (Rule 7, Section 2, Article 1): Determines when a player is considered down by contact during a play.

These rules and articles collectively form the framework that governs the sport, ensuring fair play, safety, and the integrity of the game for players, coaches, officials, and fans alike.