The Helmet-To-Helmet Rule - Essay Example

THE HELMET-TO-HELMET RULE Well, as the argument goes, the new Helmet-to-Helmet rule has ruined the game of football. The issue has been a topical affair in the face of emerging concerns regarding the safety of football players. As the debate rages, the new rule created in the course of 2010 has certainly brought sanity and some order into the game considering the injuries it has eliminated. Some people argue that the new rule eliminates much of the unnecessary hits that hitherto caused many injuries to the players. It is seen that the new helmet-to-helmet rule works effectively in reducing the number of concussions. This is basically achieved through the measures introduced by the rule, which holds the players accountable for their actions. The defenders are thereby limited in their hard hits. Thus it is realized that the rule has reduced the head injuries that were a common occurrence in the early days before its implementation. The rule receives much support on the conventional view that it greatly mitigates the serious injuries while also punishing those who fail to observe the rules of the game. Such accountability, it is argued, is very important in bringing sanity into the game. It has been realized that the graduating students who join the National Football League (NFL) are becoming bigger and stronger yearly. In that regard, the number of injuries associated with the game is increasing. The game is also becoming more violent given these types of players. The rule is certainly very timely considering that most of the rules that usually defined the game of football are seriously ignored. In the last few years it has been realized that that most defenders have practically shifted from the conventional methods of tackling and usually confront their opponents head fast. Such dangerous moves usually create crushing tackles. Well, football is certainly intended to be a violent game and most of the hard moves are certainly within acceptable limits (Wingate 78). Nevertheless, proponents of the helmet-to-helmet rule argue that some of the moves made by the defendants are practically unnecessary. As such, given the frequent concussions, it creates the need to control much of the game through the application of universal rules. The new helmet-to-helmet rule is therefore very appropriate and should be supported at all costs considering the important transformation it has brought into the game. One fundamental benefit of the helmet-to-helmet rule is the reduced number of head injuries that have been associated with its implementation. In each football season, it is estimated that over 20 percent of high school players and 10 percent of college players usually sustain dangerous brain injuries each year (Carter 49). Well, such statistics are shocking and should therefore trigger a new sense of thought in that respect. The increase in the number of concussions is partly attributed to the increasing speed in the games and the defiance of the rules that guide the game. The new helmet-to-helmet rule is therefore perceived as a remedy to the cases of concussions, which usually cause long term effects on the affected people. Such effects include dementia, loss of motor skills and occasional memory loss. These are very dangerous effects that should be controlled at all costs. The imperative of this particular rule at this point in time cannot therefore be underestimated. The challenge is further compounded by the results revealed by new research and evidence which reveals much serious effects of concussions on the affected people. David Kusher in his research realized that cases of multiple concussions spanning over months or years might result into serious neuropsychological deficits. It is also realized that continuous concussions over shorter periods might translate to the second impact syndrome. In this case, a concussion obtained while a player is on recovery from a previous one might lead to a condition known as progressive cerebral edema. Three or more concussions are likely to lead to realizable memory losses on an individual. Concussions are a commonplace in playing football in the N.F.L. Nevertheless, upon the enforcement of the rule, it is hoped that injuries resulting from concussions will drastically reduce. It is sad to realize that many talented legends have been forced to cut short their career in the game after suffering from multiple concussions. Certainly, the argument in favor of the helmet-to-helmet rule holds water. Well, nobody wishes that more players are lost to such a cause that could apparently be prevented. Discipline is one of the most fundamental concerns that guide any sports. In the game of football, discipline has greatly deteriorated in several ways as can be judged from the conduct of certain defenders. By creating accountability and making the defenders pay for their indiscipline, the helmet-to-helmet rule is a sure way of making the game more enjoyable and smart as opposed to the present situation characterized by chaos (McNamee 68). It is interesting to realize that the N.F.L is currently defining and creating the limits on what constitutes hard hits and what should certainly be abolished from the game. A casual analysis on the effectiveness of the rule serves to reveal very interesting realizations. At its initial stages of implementation, several players have received very hefty fines regarding their conduct in the field. Prior to the rule, the fines usually imposed were relatively much insignificant in comparison to the huge salaries the players receive. In the present system, the players are not only susceptible to fines but could also face suspensions from the game (Schiffer 63). The major focus of the rule in this regard is to create awareness in the players on the need to observe the rules of the game and play within the limits specified. In any case, the fear of fines and suspensions has drastically reduced the cases of helmet-to-helmet hits. These propositions certainly serve to argue for the introduction f the helmet-to-helmet rule. The argument on whether the new rule has benefited the overall game of football is indeed raging. Opponents of the rule argue that the game has suddenly turned into a two-hand touch. On the same account, most of football enthusiasts are basically impressed by the violent nature of the game and are therefore in total antipathy of the rule. The hard crushes and the violent hits are some of the most interesting scenes to some of these football fans. It therefore appears that the enactment and implementation of the helmet-to-helmet rule might not auger well with a large section of the football audience. But then, such an occurrence could have many effects on the support of the game. With players being fined heavily and the game becoming smoother, some of its fans are totally unimpressed by the course of events. One opposition that faces the helmet-to-helmet rule lies on the premise that football is basically intended to violent game. Further, it is argued that the joy of the game is derived from its violent nature especially the hard moves made by the defenders. In that regard, changing the rules that define football must indeed face a lot of antipathy. The hitherto existing rules have for a longtime defined the game of football and it becomes much difficult to change the status quo. Any change that seeks to alter these fundamentals is therefore a case for fierce debate. The helmet-to-helmet rule, with its stringent ramifications on the players who disobey the rules, has radically altered the whole sum game. While this change is basically intended to bring sanity and reduce the violence realized in the game, it nevertheless fails to impress a large section of the football fraternity. It should be remembered that the fundamental driving force behind the new rule is to avoid the loss of layers due to the concussions. The N.F.L highly values its players and is never impressed at the rate of injuries realized in the fields. Indeed, the players contribute largely to the popularity and success of N.F.L. In that regard, the body is much concerned about loosing some of its most productive input. The argument further receives an ethical face on the basis that it is ethically incorrect to let players suffer multiple concussions yet radical measures can be taken to avert the problem. On that regard, N.F.L argues, some of the fans should learn to appreciate some of these rules and avoid the strong antipathy often realized. It is argued that most of the players in the game of football have become very reckless in their plays. Instead of being smart, they adopt strategies that only help in causing a lot of disorders in the game. The new rule effectively cracks down upon such players and prevents them from playing as they wish. Frequent fines on the players have done much in reducing such occurrences. Upon the introduction of the new rule, some fans felt that it was basically pointless to introduce such measures. They argued that the rule could not really improve the safety of the players. Notable sports writers like Mike Hass also envisioned the same occurrence. He argued that the rule would not really go well with some of the players. Indeed, at the initial stages of implementation, most of the injuries could still not be prevented as the players had not learned how to move faster in order to avoid the hard hits (Morgan 151). Too much familiarity with the original state of affairs made the adoption of the new rules rather cumbersome and difficult. It is also argued that while violence might be controlled by the new rules, the physicality of the game cannot by any chance be altered by the rules since football is basically founded on physicality. On that regard, it then implies that some of the hard hits cannot simply be avoided given that physical presence in the game. Some of the strong opponents of these rules were the defenders most of whom even threatened retirement upon the implementation f such rules. Indeed, the rule is affecting the game on various respects (Hanlon 112). Indeed, in conclusion, it must be stated that football is one of the most popular sports in the United States. Whatever happens in the game is therefore much important in its overall repercussions. However, the most important element regards the safety of the players in the field. It would certainly be wrong to let players continue suffering serious injuries in the name of impressing a section of the football fraternity. As such, the new helmet-to-helmet rule is therefore a very timely affair that should be most supported in its implementation. Works Cited Carter, Alden R.. Love, football, and other contact sports. New York: Holiday House, 2006. Print. Hanlon, Thomas W.. The sports rules book. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 2005. Print. McNamee, M. J., and S. J. Parry. Ethics and sport. London: E & FN Spon, 2007. Print. Morgan, William John. Ethics in sport. 2nd ed. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 2007. Print. Schiffer, Don, and Lud Duroska. Football rules in pictures. Rev. /updated ed. New York, N.Y.: Perigee Books, 2000. Print. Wingate, Brian. Football: rules, tips, strategy, and safety. New York: Rosen Pub. Group, 2007. Print. Read More