Helmet-to-Helmet Hits, Head Slaps Have Been Banned By The NFL

Published on May 21st, 2025 12:37 pm EST
Written By: Dave Manuel


The NFL used to be a much more dangerous place to play.

If you need evidence of that statement, look no further than the various plays that the league has banned over the years, and then realize that there was a time when all of these plays were LEGAL.

The NFL recently took up a vote to ban the "tush push". The move to ban this play, which was perfected by the Philadelphia Eagles, isn't due to the safety issues raised - instead, it is seen as an unfair advantage for the Eagles.

Most plays that are banned by the NFL are banned due to safety concerns - here are the top five plays that have been banned by the league over the years. When you read this list, imagine what the league must have been like prior to 1976.

1. Spearing, Banned in 1976. Spearing is when a defensive player would launch themselves at the offensive player, helmet first. Their body would be parallel to the ground, creating the image of a spear launching into the offensive player. This move was banned due to the obvious safety concerns, namely to the defensive player.

2. Head Slap, 1977. You are lined up as an offensive tackle and the defensive end slaps you in the head as they attempt to get around you and to the quarterback. These slaps caused a great deal of head trauma, as it happened many times over the course of a game. Aside from the obvious concussion risk, a great number of offensive tackles suffered hearing loss as well.

3. Helmet-to-helmet Hits, 1996. You are no longer allowed to initiate helmet-to-helmet contact as a defensive player. The ban came about as there were a number of severe brain and spinal cord injuries that were caused by helmet-to-helmet hits. A helmet-to-helmet hit will now result in an immediate flag in today's NFL.

4. Chop Block, 2016. The "chop block" occurs when one offensive player blocks a defensive player low, while his teammate blocks the defensive player high. Chop blocks have resulted in numerous traumatic leg injuries over the years, which is why they were finally banned in 2016.

5. Forearm shiver/clothesline, 1980s. There was a time when creating contact with your forearm, or literally clotheslining your opponent, was legal. The shiver and clothesline obviously created a bunch of health issues, which is why they were gradually phased out of the game.