Comments on: NFL to Make Stiff Arm a Point of Enforcement

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 01:57:00 +0000

I guess the argument I’d make for this rule is that this penalty should be more considered a “hands to the face” penalty since they dont grab the face mask. These rules were designed for safety reasons and I dont think stiff arms are dangerous. I played for a while and I’m a bit ashamed to admit that I’ve been stiffed armed and it sucks. The question I want to ask is did this really need to be addressed? I wish the league would stop comming up with new things to “Crack Down” on and let the game be!

By: RK

RK — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 01:41:08 +0000

Ed I too always wondered, even while playing football, why there was a double standard when it comes to stiff arming.

I realize when a defensive player facemasks it is usually to take down the opponent but that doesn’t make it less potentially dangerous. Heck a refs yellow flag ended the career of a player so obviously a hand inside the facemask can do the same.

I get putting the hand on the helmet or pads or fending off outreaching arms but into the mask should be clearly against the rules. I doubt when it happens it is ever an accident.

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 00:40:18 +0000

I think the more flagrent stiff arms to the face should be called. I say this because the facemask is only a safety issue because it gets Grabbed and sometime twisted but ball cariers *almost* never do that. This is a safety rule so i dont totally agree with it. But i’d rather be readind this than having to read about what Andy Reid’s kids are doing!

By: Mike G

Mike G — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 16:59:15 +0000

Wow, this was my favorite play from last season. I had the youtube video on my profile ever since. I have to say though, when I watch games I always question why they never call face masks on offensive players. Depending on how the refs regulate this, it could be a good rule change, since defensive players are almost left helpless in these instances.

Bent, youre right, when correctly used, the stiff arm should be made to either to the top of the helmet or sometimes even the side. But hands on the facemasks needs to be called.

By: The Ed(itor)

The Ed(itor) — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 15:48:17 +0000

I always wondered why it was OK for the offense to stiff arm to the face mask but the defense was called even if it was inadvertent.
This new rule makes sense.

By: Bent

Bent — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 13:57:06 +0000

When correctly executed (see Payton, Walter), the stiff arm should be made to the top of the helmet as the tackler leans in towards the ball carrier’s waist to make the hit. This stops the tackler’s momentum and keeps the runner out of reach. This will still be legal. It’s just hands to the face (which was actually against the rules anyway, just seldom called on ball carriers) on a stiff arm which will now be penalised (sic).