What Is a Defenseless Player In American Football?
In American football, a defenseless player is a player who, during a down, is considered to be especially vulnerable to injury. This includes players who are in the act of catching a pass, quarterbacks who have just thrown a pass, and players who are being tackled.
What Is The Penalty For Hitting a Defenseless Player?
The penalty for hitting a defenseless player in American football is 15 yards. This penalty is assessed if a player hits a defenseless opponent in the head or neck area with his shoulder, forearm, or hand.
Examples
One example of a defenseless player is a receiver who is in the process of catching a pass. This player is not able to protect himself from oncoming defenders and, as such, is at risk of serious injury if he is hit too hard. Quarterbacks are also often considered defenseless after they have thrown a pass.
They are unable to protect themselves from oncoming defenders and, as such, are at risk of serious injury if they are hit too hard. Players who are also being tackled are also considered defenseless. They, too, cannot protect themselves from oncoming defenders and are at risk of serious injury if they are too hard.
How To Treat A Defenseless Player
Players who are considered defenseless must be treated carefully by opposing players. This means that they cannot be hit in the head or neck area or be hit with excessive force. If an opposing player does hit a defenseless player in an illegal manner, he may be penalized. In some cases, he may even be ejected from the game.
Why These Rules Exist
The rules regarding defenseless players are designed to protect them from serious injury. The risk of serious injury is reduced by ensuring that they are treated carefully by opposing players. This makes the game of football safer for all involved.
