PROTECTION OF DEFENSELESS PLAYERS—In 2008, the committee
introduced a separate rule prohibiting initiating contact with and targeting a
defenseless opponent (Rule 9-1-3).
The following are situations in which defenseless players are susceptible to
serious injury:
• The quarterback moving down the line of scrimmage who has handed or
pitched the ball to a teammate, and then makes no attempt to participate
further in the play;
• The kicker who is in the act of kicking the ball, or who has not had a
reasonable length of time to regain his balance after the kick;
• The passer who is in the act of throwing the ball, or who has not had a
reasonable length of time to participate in the play again after releasing the
ball;
• The pass receiver whose concentration is on the ball;
• The pass receiver who has clearly relaxed when the pass is no longer
catchable;
• The kick receiver whose attention is on the downward flight of the ball;
• The kick receiver who has just touched the ball;
• The player who has relaxed once the ball has become dead; and
• The player who is obviously out of the play.
POINTS OF EMPHASIS FR-9
These players are protected by rules that have been in place for many years. It
is of the utmost importance that participants, coaches and game officials carefully
and diligently observe safety rules.
Intentional helmet-to-helmet contact is never legal, nor is any other blow directed toward an opponent’s head. Flagrant offenders shall be disqualified.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
GRI (Gade Ratings Index) - 10/14/09
| Rank | Team | Points | Last | This Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Florida (12) | 173 | 1 | vs Arkansas |
| 2. | Alabama (6) | 164 | 2 | vs South Carolina |
| 3. | Texas | 149 | 3 | vs Oklahoma |
| 4. | Virginia Tech | 117 | 6 | at Georgia Tech |
| 5. | USC | 92 | 5 | at Notre Dame |
| 6. | Boise State | 65 | 7 | at Tulsa |
| 7. | Iowa | 52 | 10 | at Wisconsin |
| 8. | Ohio State | 51 | 8 | at Purdue |
| 9. | Cincinnati | 43 | 9 | at South Florida |
| 10. | Miami (FL) | 28 | NR | at UCF |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
GRI (Gade Ratings Index) - 10/07/09
| Rank | Team | Points | Last | This Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Florida (11) | 172 | 1 | at LSU |
| 2. | Alabama (7) | 163 | 2 | at Ole Miss |
| 3. | Texas | 149 | 3 | vs Colorado |
| 4. | LSU | 105 | 5 | vs Florida |
| 5. | USC | 86 | 9 | OFF |
| 6. | Virginia Tech | 82 | 4 | vs Boston College |
| 7. | Boise State | 67 | 6 | OFF |
| 8. | Ohio State | 38 | NR | vs Wisconsin |
| 9. | Cincinnati | 36 | 10 | OFF |
| 10. | Iowa | 35 | 7 | vs Michigan |
