DrDawkinstein Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/22935229/nfl-institutes-rule-lowering-head-initiate-contact-helmet Quote ORLANDO, Fla. -- NFL owners passed an unexpected rule Tuesday that will expand penalties for helmet-to-helmet contact, one that is more significant and far-reaching than the NCAA's targeting rule. Under the change, a player will be penalized 15 yards and potentially ejected any time he lowers his head to initiate and make contact with his helmet against an opponent. It will apply to tacklers, ball carriers and even linemen, and it will take the place of a previous rule that limited the penalty to contact with the crown of the helmet. ... IMO this is even bigger than the catch rule coming out of the owners meetings. Big move, and I like it. Finally getting serious about enforcing proper tackling technique. AND it applies for offensive players too. No more helmets as weapons. Keep your heads up, fellas 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Lightning Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 How the Hell do you tackle without lowering your head? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrDawkinstein Posted March 28, 2018 Author Share Posted March 28, 2018 (edited) 3 minutes ago, Green Lightning said: How the Hell do you tackle without lowering your head? The right way. Face up. See what you're hitting, hit with your chest/shoulder, break down, slide your head, and drive through. Edited March 28, 2018 by DrDawkinstein 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Muellers Ghost Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 1 minute ago, DrDawkinstein said: The right way. Face up. See what you're hitting, hit with your chest/shoulder, break down, slide your head, and drive through. Watch how the Seahawks teach it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Lightning Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 1 minute ago, DrDawkinstein said: The right way. Face up. See what you're hitting, hit with your chest/shoulder, break down, slide your head, and drive through. I can see a 15-yard penalty on just about every play. A guy drops his head to make a shoulder contact and it could be interpreted a million different ways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrDawkinstein Posted March 28, 2018 Author Share Posted March 28, 2018 (edited) 3 minutes ago, Jamie Muellers Ghost said: Watch how the Seahawks teach it. Yep. 3min in, Eyes Through the Thighs, Wrap and Squeeze, Drive for 5. Real simple. And effective! 3 minutes ago, Green Lightning said: I can see a 15-yard penalty on just about every play. A guy drops his head to make a shoulder contact and it could be interpreted a million different ways. Nah, it's about using it as a weapon, as the lead point of contact. Big difference and fairly easily identifiable. I'm not sure if you've played, so forgive me if youre experienced, but it's way easier to do it right than the modern era would lead you to believe. Edited March 28, 2018 by DrDawkinstein 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Lightning Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 Just high school. Players now don't like the wrap up, they want to knock you off your feet. We'll see how it goes but Refs make so many bad calls now I hope they get this right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrDawkinstein Posted March 28, 2018 Author Share Posted March 28, 2018 Just now, Green Lightning said: Just high school. Players now don't like the wrap up, they want to knock you off your feet. We'll see how it goes but Refs make so many bad calls now I hope they get this right. Yeah, thats the problem, and it's bleeding all the way down to high school level and younger. I'm sure there will be some blown, or at the very least, arguable calls. But this is something they've needed to regulate and enforce for a while now. Coaches and players had more than enough time to get themselves straight, and they've failed. Time to start penalizing and ejecting if they can't play right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 16 minutes ago, Green Lightning said: I can see a 15-yard penalty on just about every play. A guy drops his head to make a shoulder contact and it could be interpreted a million different ways. It says initiating contact with the head...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batman1876 Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 Solid move. One step in saving the game from concussions. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob in NoCal Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 And paralyzing neck injuries. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 So....does this include mushroom stamping? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teddy KGB Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 Just cancel the league. Bang bang plays will happen and teams will lose games over interpretations by the refs. Look forward to the lengthy delays ??♂️ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Victory Formation Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 There is such thing as overdoing it. They should be eliminating some of these rules and speeding up the tempo of the game and ref involvement. So not only do we have to deal with a commercial break every 30 seconds, now we're going to have to stop the game 50 times a game. SMH. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 The main issue with this in cfb is it is inconsistently applied, even with review. And the automatic ejection is very impactful to the outcome of the game. Players will need to be coached specifically to this rule. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#34fan Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 I'm all for protecting players, but it seems the league (and now the owners) are doing their best to make this sport unwatchable... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyDays Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 I get why they created the rule, but it really came out of nowhere and it changes the game more than they might realize. I'm sure the Shazier injury had a lot to do with this. That was a nightmare for the league and there's enough bad press about concussions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrDawkinstein Posted March 28, 2018 Author Share Posted March 28, 2018 5 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said: The main issue with this in cfb is it is inconsistently applied, even with review. And the automatic ejection is very impactful to the outcome of the game. Players will need to be coached specifically to this rule. Yeah, there will always be human error, but I remember agreeing with ejections more often than not. And players should have been coached this way the entire time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJS Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 8 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said: The main issue with this in cfb is it is inconsistently applied, even with review. And the automatic ejection is very impactful to the outcome of the game. Players will need to be coached specifically to this rule. Bingo. Just making the job of the refs harder and requiring more judgement calls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buddo Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 I think you will find that it isn't that difficult to see if someone has lead with his helmet. Get a few players ejected early on, and they will quickly start to realize they have to do things the right way. The NFL needs to start ejecting the idiots, regularly, because it's about the only way they can actually enforce discipline in games. Fines after the events, are necessary, but do absolutely nothing to stop guys at the time. Getting rid of offenders, will often also deflate any toxic atmopsphere that may be building on the field. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LA Grant Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 1 minute ago, Buddo said: The NFL needs to start ejecting the idiots, regularly, because it's about the only way they can actually enforce discipline in games. Fines after the events, are necessary, but do absolutely nothing to stop guys at the time. Getting rid of offenders, will often also deflate any toxic atmopsphere that may be building on the field. 100% agree. Fines as punishment are a joke. This new rule is a half-measure, at best. The rule should be simple and severe. Dirty hit = you're ejected. Period. If you don't want to be ejected, then either tackle your man properly — or don't. If a player was ejected & it's determined the hit was an unintentional accident, congrats, you're not suspended for additional games. If it was clearly intentional, you're suspended minimum 3 games (without pay). Seriously, what's the worst that would happen if they did this? Maybe there would be more missed tackles & more scoring while defenders adjust to Rugby-style tackling? Oh no! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammy Watkins' Rib Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 2 hours ago, Green Lightning said: How the Hell do you tackle without lowering your head? Proper tackling technique is to tackle with your facemask. Not the crown of your helmet. That's how you end up with an injury like Shazier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KDIGGZ Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 This rule is going to be super annoying. There's going to be so many flags because of this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sig1Hunter Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 Isn't Chris Ivory one of those "lower the head to punish tacklers" type of runner? This should be fun. The college rule is perfect. Why the need to go above and beyond? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gobillsatthebeach Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 http://www.seahawks.com/video/2014/07/28/2014-seahawks-tackling This is an excellent video on tackling technique Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Brown Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 I' don't like adding more judgement calls by the refs (the best rule change in the last decade was getting out of the "forced out of bounds" rule and simply saying the WR must have two feet in bounds), but this rule is necessary for the long term survival of the sport. Pee wee, high school, and college coaches need to preach and teach proper tackling technique. Let's not hope it slows the game down too much. As an aside, they again keep the stupid extra point rule. Glad they didn't go to the 15 yard college pass interference rule though. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewEra Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 This is going to be talked about every week. Game changing penalties for sure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boca BIlls Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 Time to have "Heads Up" program for the NFL athletes that they have for kids. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 My solution is to minimize pads, or even no pads or helmets. The game would be faster, and head injuries would be much rarer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QCity Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 We're going to see goal line formations where RBs lower their head and drive into the endzone, only to get it called back and assessed a 15-yd penalty? Can't wait for the first game to be decided on that call. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fridge Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 I can't wait for the refs to call this pretty steady for the first 3 weeks, completely forget about it, then call it multiple times on us in a row late in the season forcing us to miss the playoffs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeGOATski Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 This is gonna be fun. Refs will DEFINITELY use this to determine the outcome of some games. It's going to be so easy to spin. Yay. But, what's the alternative? I'll admit that I don't know. More numerous/severe suspensions might work. I dread the possibility of reviewing numerous tackles during the game. Wasting more time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4merper4mer Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 Does this rule apply to NE or are they exempt as they are with offensive holding? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hemma Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 If they actually call it, should average about 3 penalties per play with the average game lasting 8 hours. Lotsa commercials. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cripple Creek Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 8 hours ago, DrDawkinstein said: http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/22935229/nfl-institutes-rule-lowering-head-initiate-contact-helmet IMO this is even bigger than the catch rule coming out of the owners meetings. Big move, and I like it. Finally getting serious about enforcing proper tackling technique. AND it applies for offensive players too. No more helmets as weapons. Keep your heads up, fellas QB sneak? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloSol Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 4 hours ago, QCity said: We're going to see goal line formations where RBs lower their head and drive into the endzone, only to get it called back and assessed a 15-yd penalty? Can't wait for the first game to be decided on that call. Yep and how weird is it that we can call it today; it will have a game changing affect in our game vs the Patriots. Guaranteed. 39 minutes ago, 4merper4mer said: Does this rule apply to NE or are they exempt as they are with offensive holding? They are exempt, can confirm. 4 hours ago, fridge said: I can't wait for the refs to call this pretty steady for the first 3 weeks, completely forget about it, then call it multiple times on us in a row late in the season forcing us to miss the playoffs. Done with the NFL if this is the case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blokestradamus Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 7 minutes ago, Cripple Creek said: QB sneak? This is the sort of play that I'm curious about. If I'm a QB, no way in hell that I'm going into that pile vertically. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royale with Cheese Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 9 hours ago, Green Lightning said: How the Hell do you tackle without lowering your head? Dont lead by lowering your helmet. You should be able to see what you’re hitting which doesn’t happen a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterpan Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 9 hours ago, DrDawkinstein said: The right way. Face up. See what you're hitting, hit with your chest/shoulder, break down, slide your head, and drive through. The problem with that is, in football it means tackling facemask to facemask, which is often seen as tackling with the crown of the helmet by referees. I've seen dozens of flags thrown for someone tackling with good technique. 9 hours ago, Jamie Muellers Ghost said: Watch how the Seahawks teach it. There is an NFL commercial featuring the Seahawks and their tackling technique, I believe it's for youth football. The ironic part is they show clips of players....Tackling while lowering their heads.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CommonCents Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 More control and judgment calls for the refs, that has never been a good thing. More flags, delays, and the inevitable boredline ejections that swing games. Yikes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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