Football is a fast-paced and very physical contact sport. Tackling in football usually involves high-impact collisions, and a number of football rules are set in place to protect the safety of both the tackling player and the ball carrier. Football players must use their face masks to make contact when tackling, with the helmet leading. An intentional head-down tackle is known as "spear tackling" and will be penalized by the football referee.
Rules
Football rules states that a player must not use the top, or crown, of his helmet to tackle another football player. When leading with the helmet upon contact, a football player must look up and make contact with his face mask. Tackling in the legal manner reduces the risk of injury to either football player in a tackle. If a player is adjudged to have performed a spear tackle, a penalty flag will be thrown by the referee. The resulting penalty will be a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct call. The spear-tackling player may also be ejected from the game at the discretion of the referee.
Modifications
Some leagues and organizations have placed stricter reinforcements on the football rules of hitting with a face mask. Typically, a referee will decide whether or not the spear tackle was intentional before throwing a penalty flag. In 2010, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) removed the word "intentional" from their ruling. This means that a penalty flag is now thrown even if the referee doubts whether a spear was accidental. The NFHS stated that this rule amendment removed the burden from a referee to make judgments on intent, particularly regarding an incident that moves so quickly. The NFHS further explained that a "no tolerance" policy on illegal use of the helmet would ensure the safety of high school football players.
Supension
The act of spear tackling can have consequences beyond the penalty enforced on the field. Leagues can impose a suspension from one or more games. The National Football League (NFL) has banned all forms of helmet-to-helmet contact, and imposes heavy fines for spear tackling. College football also imposes heavy penalties.
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