What is the penalty for contact against a defenseless player?

The penalty for contact against a defenseless player is set at 15 yards, as outlined in the NFHS Football rules. This penalty reflects the importance of player safety within the game, particularly regarding players who are unable to protect themselves at the time of contact.

The rules define a defenseless player as someone who is not in a position to defend himself against an impending hit, such as a player who has just caught a pass and is focusing on securing the ball, or a player who is on the ground and already vulnerable to a hit. As a result, when contact is made in a manner deemed unnecessary or excessive against such players, the enforcement is more stringent to discourage dangerous plays and protect those athletes.

A different penalty amount would not appropriately address the severity of risking injury to a defenseless player. The 15-yard penalty serves both as a deterrent to dangerous plays and as a clear statement about player safety being a top priority in football.