Clarification: MB3 Rule - Is this still legal?

[Bob Sacamano]

A punch to the head is going to draw a penalty IMO. They are trying to protect players from permanent injury. Players do need to stay away from the head.

I think MB is going to have to learn to use it differently and learn when not to use it. He does punch with it. I loved it but too thought it was a matter of time. It's too dangerous. And I'm talking about effects years down the road.

I don't think it will be a problem for Barber, he uses the straight, stiff-arm just as effectively, and don't recall many instances of him using the punch much after the Pat game in wk. 6

 

[AdamJT13]

A punch to the head is going to draw a penalty IMO. They are trying to protect players from permanent injury. Players do need to stay away from the head.

The way it has been explained, they're going to penalize only a stiff-arm to the facemask -- either as a 15-yard facemask penalty (for grabbing the facemask or twisting it) or a 15-yard hands-to-the-face penalty (violently shoving with a stiff-arm to the face).

It appears that it still will be legal to stiff-arm to other parts of the helmet and anywhere else but the facemask.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

I always thought of it as an open-hand slap moreso than a punch, but what's the difference I guess. I worry about MBIII hurting his hand more than the pursuing tackler getting hurt. In any event, I hope the rule change doesn't hamper Barber in any way.

 

[jobberone]

I don't think it will be a problem for Barber, he uses the straight, stiff-arm just as effectively, and don't recall many instances of him using the punch much after the Pat game in wk. 6

Bob you may be right but I think it will be a problem. I hope you are right and I'm wrong. I don't think it will kill him but I think it will affect him some.

The way it has been explained, they're going to penalize only a stiff-arm to the facemask -- either as a 15-yard facemask penalty (for grabbing the facemask or twisting it) or a 15-yard hands-to-the-face penalty (violently shoving with a stiff-arm to the face).

It appears that it still will be legal to stiff-arm to other parts of the helmet and anywhere else but the facemask.

I hope you're right. I'm guessing from the league's stance on cutting down on permanent injuries they will enforce 'strong' blows to the head. If I were talking to them I'd say to use your judgment about blows to the head but not the face or face mask. If they throw basically a punch and/or the player's head moves violently then throw the flag.

A straight stiff arm is not going to hurt anything but pride. Violent blows to the head can cause a concussion and more importantly cause spinal column injury esp down the road.

I hope you're both right. And I'm just guessing. I don't know what they are going to actually do.