Lowering the Head to Initiate Contact

Definition

It is a foul if a player lowers his head to initiate and make contact with his helmet against an opponent. The rule applies to all players on the field at all times, and contact does not have to be to an opponent's head or neck area; lowering the head and initiating contact to an opponent's torso, hips or lower body is also a penalty.

Outcome

15 yards. If committed on defense; automatic first down. The player may be disqualified.

Penalties By Season

Note: Offsetting and Declined penalties are ignored, except where specified.

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Season	Games	Penalty Count	Penalty Yards	Home	Away	Declined	Offsetting	Total Flags
2020	269	34	455	16	18	0	6	40
2021	285	1	15	1	0	0	0	1
2018	267	16	231	10	6	0	0	16
2019	267	27	371	9	18	1	3	31
Totals	1088	78	1072	36	42	1	9	88

Penalties By Season - Per Game

Note: Offsetting and Declined penalties are ignored, except where specified.

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Season	Games	Penalty Count	Penalty Yards	Home	Away	Offsetting	Total Flags
2020	269	0.13	1.69	0.06	0.07	0.02	0.15
2021	285	0.00	0.05	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
2018	267	0.06	0.87	0.04	0.02	0.00	0.06
2019	267	0.10	1.39	0.03	0.07	0.01	0.12
Totals	1088	0.07	0.99	0.03	0.04	0.01	0.08