Crowning Rules and Penalties

American football, as compared to soccer (or European football), has crowning rules and penalties. These fall under the category of a whole host of other rules and penalties that are implemented in the game. The rules ensure that the game is fair and also prevent unnecessary injury to players.

Crowning, definition

Crowning is one of the most severely penalized fouls in the game. It is defined as the unnecessary use of the crown (or top) of the football helmet. The dangers of crowning are twofold. First, crowning is dangerous to the player who is performing the action because it can result in neck injury, including, but not limited to strain of the neck muscles, shattering of the neck vertebra, and severing of the spinal cord. Depending on the location of the hit, the recipient can break bones, get bruised or be subjected to other serious injuries. This is because, compared to other bludgeons, the top of the helmet is particularly strong, and covers a wide surface area.

Crowning, penalty

The penalty of crowning carries one of the most severe penalties of the game, topped only by wearing illegal equipment (which results in suspension) and using the helmet as a weapon (resulting in automatic disqualification of the player). The penalty for crowning is a 15 yard penalty. If the offense occurs on the offensive team, the team loses 15 of the yards they had gained. If the offense occurs on the defensive side, the offensive time gains 15 yard, and there is an automatic first down.

Crowning rules and penalties are put in place to protect players and to make the American version of football safe to play.