• Forcibly hitting the head or neck area with the helmet, facemask, forearm, or shoulder (even if first contact is lower)
• Lowering the head and making forcible helmet contact with any part of the defenseless player’s body
• Illegal launch: leaving one or both feet to spring forward and upward and using any part of the helmet to initiate forcible contact
Incidental helmet or mask contact during a conventional tackle is allowed.
2. Impermissible use of the helmet (Article 10)
This rule is broader. It applies even when the opponent is not defenseless. It is a foul if a player:
• Lowers his head and makes forcible contact with his helmet against an opponent, or
• Uses any part of his helmet or facemask to butt or make forcible contact to an opponent’s head or neck area