I dont get what the NFL means when they say "defenseless"

[Sgt. Largent]

Defenseless means just that, the receiver has no way to protect themselves at the moment of impact.

If the receiver sees the hit coming and can properly brace themselves for impact, not defenseless. If they're going up for a ball and can't brace for impact? Defenseless.

 

[therealjohncarlson]

Defenseless means just that, the receiver has no way to protect themselves at the moment of impact.

If the receiver sees the hit coming and can properly brace themselves for impact, not defenseless. If they're going up for a ball and can't brace for impact? Defenseless.

So tell me how a defender is supposed to know when the receiver can brace himself for impact and what is he supposed to do if he deems the receiver "defenseless"? Just let him run free?

 

[Sgt. Largent]

Defenseless means just that, the receiver has no way to protect themselves at the moment of impact.

If the receiver sees the hit coming and can properly brace themselves for impact, not defenseless. If they're going up for a ball and can't brace for impact? Defenseless.

So tell me how a defender is supposed to know when the receiver can brace himself for impact and what is he supposed to do if he deems the receiver "defenseless"? Just let him run free?

Here's the definition straight from the NFL offices;

It is a foul if a player initiates unnecessary contact against a player who is in a defenseless posture.
(a) Players in a defenseless posture are: [. . .]
(2) A receiver attempting to catch a pass; or who has completed a catch and has not had time to protect himself or has not clearly become a runner. If the receiver/runner is capable of avoiding or warding off the impending contact of an opponent, he is no longer a defenseless player;
[. . .]
(b) Prohibited contact against a player who is in a defenseless posture is:
(1) Forcibly hitting the defenseless player’s head or neck area with the helmet, facemask, forearm, or shoulder, regardless of whether the defensive player also uses his arms to tackle the defenseless player by encircling or grasping him; and
(2) Lowering the head and making forcible contact with the top/crown or forehead/”hairline” parts of the helmet against any part of the defenseless player’s body.”

There you go, hopefully you are now enlightened and shall no longer be confused.

 

[therealjohncarlson]

Defenseless means just that, the receiver has no way to protect themselves at the moment of impact.

If the receiver sees the hit coming and can properly brace themselves for impact, not defenseless. If they're going up for a ball and can't brace for impact? Defenseless.

So tell me how a defender is supposed to know when the receiver can brace himself for impact and what is he supposed to do if he deems the receiver "defenseless"? Just let him run free?

Here's the definition straight from the NFL offices;

It is a foul if a player initiates unnecessary contact against a player who is in a defenseless posture.
(a) Players in a defenseless posture are: [. . .]
(2) A receiver attempting to catch a pass; or who has completed a catch and has not had time to protect himself or has not clearly become a runner. If the receiver/runner is capable of avoiding or warding off the impending contact of an opponent, he is no longer a defenseless player;
[. . .]
(b) Prohibited contact against a player who is in a defenseless posture is:
(1) Forcibly hitting the defenseless player’s head or neck area with the helmet, facemask, forearm, or shoulder, regardless of whether the defensive player also uses his arms to tackle the defenseless player by encircling or grasping him; and
(2) Lowering the head and making forcible contact with the top/crown or forehead/”hairline” parts of the helmet against any part of the defenseless player’s body.”

There you go, hopefully you are now enlightened and shall no longer be confused.

Still extremely arbitrary and dumb to me, but thanks for trying to help. Go Hawks