Hunting for Head Shot Rules

Patrick Eaves will miss tonight's Ottawa-Pittsburgh tilt due to a concussion he sustained on a devastating, legal hit delivered by Colby Armstrong (video below).  The hit, like Chris Neil's concussion-inducing smack of Chris Drury and other high hits, has raised questions about the need for rules governing hits to the head in the NHL. 

Those who oppose the adoption of penalties for head shots typically point to issues like the speed of the game and size differences among players.  Phooey. 

The NFL, NBA, MLB, National Lacrosse League, Rugby League and even the Ontario Hockey League have clear & simple rules that punish players for hitting an an opponent in the head, regardless of intent.  Surely the big heads at the NHL head office can come up with something workable.  To give them a hand coming up with the rule we've pulled together the language these other leagues use to govern head shots. 

From the NFL rule book:

15 Yards (and disqualification if flagrant)

3. Striking opponent on head or neck with forearm, elbow, or hands whether or not the initial contact is made below the neck area.

From the NBA rule book:

Officials have been instructed to eject a player who throws a punch, whether or not it connects, or an elbow which makes contact above shoulder level. If elbow contact is shoulder level or below, it shall be left to the discretion of the official as to whether the player is ejected. Even if a punch or an elbow goes undetected by the officials during the game, but is detected during a review of a videotape, that player will be penalized.

From the MLB rule book:

8.02(d) Intentionally Pitch at the Batter.

Rule 8.02(d) Comment: To pitch at a batter’s head is unsportsmanlike and highly dangerous. It should be—and is—condemned by everybody. Umpires should act without hesitation in enforcement of this rule.

From the OHL rule book:

Rule 48 - Checking to the Head

A minor or a major and game misconduct penalty, at the discretion of the referee based on the degree of impact, shall be assessed to any player who checks an opponent to the head area in any manner.

A match penalty shall be assessed to any player who deliberately attempts to injure an opponent by Checking to the Head.

Note: A hit to the head with a shoulder shall be considered an illegal check and shall be penalized as checking to the head.

From the Rugby League rule book:

15.1) A player is guilty of misconduct if he:

b) Attacks the head of an opponent when effecting a tackle.

From the Rugby Union rule book:

The foul and misconduct laws are comprehensive. A player is not allowed to strike, hack, kick, or trip an opponent, though he may “hand off” an opponent with the flat palm of his hand when the opponent is trying to tackle him. Nor may a player make a dangerous tackle (for example, a high tackle around the neck and head) or tackle with a stiff arm.

From the National Lacrosse League rule book:

Rule 67: BOARD CHECKING (BOARDING or CHARGING or ELBOWING)

b) When a major penalty is imposed under this Rule for a foul resulting in an injury to the face or head of an opponent, a game misconduct shall be imposed.

Rule 87: HIGH STICKING

a) A major penalty shall be assessed to a player who checks an opponent in such a way that contact is made between his stick and the opponent.s neck, face or helmet.

Should an injury occur a major penalty and a game misconduct penalty will be assessed.

(NOTE): Incidental contact with the helmet should be disregarded.

b) If a player being legally checked deliberately ducks, so as to cause the stick of the opponent to strike him on the head or neck, no penalty shall be assessed.

Comments

[minikleydi]

Interesting and different.
Thanks.

[Ottawa Wingnut]

Sure there should be a penalty. But what bothers me is that the players delivering these hits don't seem to give a damn. In most cases they are taking long runs at the victim & have plenty of time to lower their shoulder & avoid the head & still make a big hit. But, they are out to injure - there is no doubt. Note the perpatrators are MOSTLY those annoying "buzzy" players, not heavyweights.

[oyunlar]

Good blog

I hope everybody read this article.

thanks for informations.

[kraloyun]

en güzel kraloyunlar