We Would Have Lost to Utah State With This Rule Change

[Townhallsavoy]

SEC Coordinator of Officials Steve Shaw outlined significant rule changes coming to college football this season, all rooted in player safety. These rules, by the way, were approved in February.

Kickoff

Kickers will kick from the 35-yard line and not the 30 and a touchback will now be brought to the 25-yard line and not the 20-yard line. This is, in part, to eliminate collisions on kickoffs, part of the wave of player safety sweeping through football.

After a kickoff hits the ground — specifically on a one-hop onside kick — the receiving team gets an opportunity to fair catch that ball. "A lot of our coaches," Shaw said, "have said that will almost take that one-hop (onside) kick out of the game."

Helmet

If a player's helmet comes off while on the field and it's not a result of a foul, that player must leave the game for a play. If you're a player and your helmet comes off during a play, you cannot participate in the rest of that play. "We think that will give them incentive to buckle things up," Shaw said.
Kick-catch

The halo is back, at least somewhat. On kicks, a returner will now get a designated catching area of "shoulder width and one yard in front," Shaw said.
Punting

It's now a foul for members of a punt receiving team to leap over blockers on the line of scrimmage in attempt to block a punt. "It's a dangerous situation," Shaw said. It's a 15-yard penalty.
Blocking below the waist

Offensive players in the tackle box at the snap who are not in motion are allowed to block below the waist legally without restriction. All other players are restricted from blocking below the waist with a few exceptions (for example, straight-ahead blocks).

http://www.columbiatribune.com/weblogs/beyond-box-score/2012/jul/18/shaw-rule-changes-to-protect-players/

[Buzz Killington]

If a player's helmet comes off while on the field and it's not a result of a foul, that player must leave the game for a play. If you're a player and your helmet comes off during a play, you cannot participate in the rest of that play. "We think that will give them incentive to buckle things up," Shaw said.
Kick-catch

Shit...I hope Bates' backup is ready at all times.

[AU_Tiger_2000]

If a player's helmet comes off while on the field and it's not a result of a foul, that player must leave the game for a play. If you're a player and your helmet comes off during a play, you cannot participate in the rest of that play. "We think that will give them incentive to buckle things up," Shaw said.
Kick-catch

I have noticed a lot of helmets coming off lately.  It used to be when you saw someone's helmet go flying you knew that somebody got there clock cleaned.  Now it seems like every play somebody's helmet is laying on the ground. 

[JR4AU]

http://www.columbiatribune.com/weblogs/beyond-box-score/2012/jul/18/shaw-rule-changes-to-protect-players/

If I'm reading that right, that effectively eliminates onsides kicks?

[Townhallsavoy]

If I'm reading that right, that effectively eliminates onsides kicks?

Pretty much. 

Unless you can line drive it hard enough to bounce off of a receiver, you have no shot. 

[AU_Tiger_2000]

If I'm reading that right, that effectively eliminates onsides kicks?

Just got to do it old school up the middle.

[Tiger Wench]

I thought the helmet flying off thing was a deliberate design to prevent neck injuries?  Meaning, the chin strap gives way easier so that if your helmet gets jerked, the helmet gives way and not your neck.

If so, expect to hear a shitload of complaining if this call is made often.

Pretty fucking stupid!!

[AU_Tiger_2000]

I thought the helmet flying off thing was a deliberate design to prevent neck injuries?  Meaning, the chin strap gives way easier so that if your helmet gets jerked, the helmet gives way and not your neck.

If so, expect to hear a shootload of complaining if this call is made often.

Pretty fudgeing stupid!!

First I ever heard of that.  The majority of neck injuries I've seen come from a RB or tackler ducking their head and getting their chin forced towards their chest.  Tuck you chin and reach back and push down on the back of your head, you'll feel it start to pull in your neck real quick.

[DnATL]

First I ever heard of that.  The majority of neck injuries I've seen come from a RB or tackler ducking their head and getting their chin forced towards their chest.  Tuck you chin and reach back and push down on the back of your head, you'll feel it start to pull in your neck real quick.

#1 cause of neck strain for

[Token]

The one hop onside kick is dangerous as hell.  The higher the ball goes, the more dangerous it becomes.  Hell, it's almost like fielding a punt with the other team coming as fast as possible with no check up.  I think they are making the right call. 

[Townhallsavoy]

The one hop onside kick is dangerous as hell.  The higher the ball goes, the more dangerous it becomes.  Hell, it's almost like fielding a punt with the other team coming as fast as possible with no check up.  I think they are making the right call.

[Pell City Tiger]

They're killing this sport. Pretty soon, tackling and kicking will be outlawed altogether. Two hand touch, with all possessions starting at the 20.

[Vandy Vol]

Those damn football nazis, with their rules and restrictions!  The next thing you know...

[AUChizad]

Seriously, this is lame.

Probably the most exciting play in the game of football is now illegal.

[GH2001]

Seriously, this is lame.

Probably the most exciting play in the game of football is now illegal.

THIS

[JR4AU]

THIS

Yes, it's fucked up.  I heard Steve Shaw explaining the rule, it ONLY applies to one hoppers, the one's intentionally driven in to the ground for a big hop.  It's somewhat of a judgement call, but yeah it eliminates the type of onside kick that we all know is coming, but it doesn't change the the rule on the surprise squib kick.

By the way, nobody much talking about it, but I think the helmet coming off rule is going to have to adverse, game changing effect on some games.  If the helmet comes off and it's not due to a foul, then the player who loses the helmet has to come off the field for a play.   I can imagine a few key plays minus key players changing games.