Hip drop tackle officially banned

[FireChans]

Very dumb. Tackling a guy from behind is simply “grab player, drag him down with your body weight.”

 

So if the player is a 5’11 running back, and he’s grabbed by a humongous DT, he’s gonna get pulled backwards and roll. The only way to avoid that would be to let him fall forward and gain more yardage. 
 

Really stupid. 

[Warcodered]

Yes people accidentally commit penalties, yes refs are going to make mistakes, that happens with current rules and whenever you introduce a new rule, the idea that it should prohibit introducing one is ridiculous.

 

The video showing the tackles of players going from up high and then swinging their weight down to pin the runners legs to the ground, like how is it not obvious how that causes injuries, the NFL taking a swing at eliminating this makes perfect sense, implementing it we'll see.

[FireChans]

26 minutes ago, Motorin' said:

 

So how are you supposed to tackle a guy from behind. 

 

You wrap two arms and then what? 

Let him fall forward for the first down instead of preventing further yardage, obviously.

[julian]

Was there a significant number of serious injuries due to this particular tackling method over the last couple seasons that prompted this change ? I’m seriously asking because I can’t remember a single one, I know there’s a couple where it’s looked awkward and painful but the player ends up walking off, I don’t recall a single player being put in an air cast and driven off the field.

 

 I think having a “competition committee” itself lends to unnecessarily making changes, all be it with good intentions, when you have a job that entails making the game safer… you’re going to make changes to justify having a “competition committee”

[MJS]

This is a good move, actually. It's an extremely dangerous play, isn't necessary, and should be banned for the same reasons horse collar tackles are banned.

 

And believe me, I'm usually on the side of fewer restrictions.

5 minutes ago, FireChans said:

Very dumb. Tackling a guy from behind is simply “grab player, drag him down with your body weight.”

 

So if the player is a 5’11 running back, and he’s grabbed by a humongous DT, he’s gonna get pulled backwards and roll. The only way to avoid that would be to let him fall forward and gain more yardage. 
 

Really stupid. 

No, this prevents you from grabbing them and swinging your body into the player to cut his legs out from under him, usually causing you to land on their legs and causing injuries.

 

You can wrap up and drag a player to the ground and it is legal as long as you don't do what I mentioned above. This has been a rule in rugby for a long time and it is pretty simple. You can tackle just as effectively without being a dick and injuring them.

[MrEpsYtown]

1 hour ago, Beck Water said:

The real problem IMHO isn't the rules, it's the lack of consistency in refereeing and enforcing them.

One game it's a false start or an illegal formation, the next game it isn't

Or maybe it's not an illegal formation until most of the way through the game, then at the end of the game suddenly it is

 

It's DPI and the announcers declaim "they're going to call that every time", except, no, they don't.

 

The NFL could fix this if they chose, the don't choose.

 

Also deciding they just weren't going to call holding on the KC offensive line essentially handing them a championship. 

[MJS]

46 minutes ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

I’m wondering if this will be called based on if an injury happened? I just think it’s going to be so hard to call.

There will be a learning curve, but they call it in rugby pretty accurately.

[SoCal Deek]

I’m hip to this scene…but not to the rule change. 

[That's No Moon]

1 hour ago, Saint Doug said:

I don’t understand how players are suppose to tackle anymore. 

They aren't, and that step is coming.

2 minutes ago, MJS said:

There will be a learning curve, but they call it in rugby pretty accurately.

Our refs can't even call false starts properly.

[LABILLBACKER]

34 minutes ago, The Wiz said:

Watching this video, All I see is "15 yard penalty, first down buffalo" when Allen decides to roll out.  90% of him getting tackled is from behind and the defender dragging him down.

So basically you can't start at the waist (from behind) and pull the player down.  You have to slide down to his legs or ankles to complete the tackle.  This is unbelievable and almost unenforceable? There's already like 5 different ways you can't touch the qb on release. A horse collar starts at the top of the body and bends the entire body in half. That makes sense.  This is now telling the defensive player coming from behind that the waist (a perfect wrap up tackle) is off limits. If you want to add offense to a game, this will definitely do it.

[Buffalo_Stampede]

5 minutes ago, MJS said:

There will be a learning curve, but they call it in rugby pretty accurately.

That’s a great comparison. I don’t follow rugby but if they can call it accurately in rugby they should be able to do it in the NFL.

[wakingfane]

Your defensive minded head coach is one of the unanimous votes on the competition committee,  right?  Everyone's comments are aimed at nameless,  faceless "the NFL" but one of them takes questions from the local media every week. 

 

In other news,  I love the phrase "un-weights himself"  I'm going to use that when it's time to chill out on the couch. Honey,  I'm just going to un-weight myself now...

Edited March 25 by wakingfane

[sven233]

47 minutes ago, The Wiz said:

Watching this video, All I see is "15 yard penalty, first down buffalo" when Allen decides to roll out.  90% of him getting tackled is from behind and the defender dragging him down.

 

The problem I see with this is that a lot of these tackles happen by circumstance, not because players are trying to hurt each other.  Just about all these clips show the offensive player getting out in front of the defensive player so the defensive player has to grab the player and pull them to the ground.  I guess I am not seeing how, at full speed, they want the defensive player to tackle the guy that is trying to run away from them.  They can't go high because the offensive player will just run through it.  I guess they could try and trip them around the knees or ankles or something, but will that really limit injuries or will it create more?  This is going to result in a lot more broken tackles because offensive players are too big and strong to not just be wrapped up and dragged down.

 

I don't know.  I guess if they unanimously voted it out there must be a plan, but I just don't see a lot of ways to tackle a guy that gets ahead of you in open space without wrapping up.  It is a lot to ask of defensive players.

Edited March 25 by sven233

[That's No Moon]

I look forward to getting completely boned by both the calling and non-calling of this at least three times next year.

[LeGOATski]

51 minutes ago, Motorin' said:

 

So how are you supposed to tackle a guy from behind. 

 

You wrap two arms and then what? 

You don't swivel your hips and drop your legs down onto the back of the runner's legs.

[Motorin']

1 minute ago, LeGOATski said:

You don't swivel your hips and drop your legs down onto the back of the runner's legs.

 

So just falling dead weight is ok, even on the back of the runners legs, as long as you don't swivel your hips?

[Jauronimo]

My enjoyment of the game has declined about 50% without the head injuries and high ankle sprains.  I want to watch backup level talent mashing each other's skulls and breaking legs.  Anything short of that is soccer in my book.

[LeGOATski]

6 minutes ago, sven233 said:

 

The problem I see with this is that a lot of these tackles happen by circumstance, not because players are trying to hurt each other.  Just about all these clips show the offensive player getting out in front of the defensive player so the defensive player has to grab the player and pull them to the ground.  I guess I am not seeing how, at full speed, they want the defensive player to tackle the guy that is trying to run away from them.  They can't go high because the offensive player will just run through it.  I guess they could try and trip them around the knees or something, but will that really limit injuries or will it created more? 

 

I don't know.  I guess if they unanimously voted it out there must be a plan, but I just don't see a lot of ways to tackle a guy that gets ahead of you in open space without wrapping up.  It is a lot to ask of defensive players.

Take a look at how the defenders use their lower body. Once they have grip, they swing their legs out in front in order to land on the back of the runner's legs.

 

The answer, I think is to keep your legs behind you; don't swivel your hips/swing your legs. Sometimes the way the runner moves might still cause the defender's body to swing around, which is where this could get confusing.

 

But there's a clear technique here that just needs to be adjusted. It'd be nice to see a video comparison showing the right technique vs the wrong technique.

[H2o]

Well, you can bet there will be some questionable calls over these go in the usual suspects' favor. 

[LeGOATski]

5 minutes ago, Motorin' said:

 

So just falling dead weight is ok, even on the back of the runners legs, as long as you don't swivel your hips?

I think so. I've tackled people from behind without needing to curl up my body the way the defenders in that video do.

[SirAndrew]

23 minutes ago, MrEpsYtown said:

 

Also deciding they just weren't going to call holding on the KC offensive line essentially handing them a championship. 

This is my biggest issue with more new rules. I can see KC winning five titles in a row once the refs call a “hip drop” tackle on every crucial play. I’m all about player safety, but this stuff is impractical in a game of tackle football.

[Chicken Boo]

It's all fun and games until Josh has his ankle broken from a hip drop tackle.

 

It presents similar danger as a horse-collar tackle.  It needed to banned.  

[RiotAct]

1 hour ago, warrior9 said:

Yeah, which is horrible because it was down by like .3 points. 47 points a game is hardly boring. The NFL is systematically and slowly ruining the game. 

if every single game isn’t like the Bills-Chiefs Divisional Round matchup from the 2021 season, it’s automatically BORING, dammit!

[LeGOATski]

3 minutes ago, H2o said:

Well, you can bet there will be some questionable calls over these go in the usual suspects' favor. 

For sure. It's going to be a grey area that causes more variability in the officiating. This is where the USFL/XFL officiating system comes in handy. They have a ref in the booth at the stadium reviewing plays in real time with a better viewpoint and without the other distractions that the refs on the field have. This is the type of call the booth ref can get correct more often than the field ref can.

 

If the NFL simply implemented a better system, which they've neglected for a decade now, this wouldn't be so painful.

3 minutes ago, Chicken Boo said:

It's all fun and games until Josh has his ankle broken from a hip drop tackle.

 

It presents similar danger as a horse-collar tackle.  It needed to banned.  

He was a victim of it by Joey Bossa I think, but fortunately didn't get injured (idk how because the replay looked ugly.) That was an infamous play that season where we heard on the replay Bosa saying "how else am I supposed to bring him down? He's too big."

 

I think it was Bosa. Or maybe Watt.

 

The Bills Oline took exception to it and was yelling at him.

[DrDawkinstein]

1 hour ago, T master said:

So if you come in from behind for a tackle and hit the guy in the back to take him down is that a illegal hit in the back or a blind side tackle ? Not exactly sure how this is going to work & if enforced as such how many will just let the runner go in fear of being penalized or fined .

 

1 hour ago, TheyCallMeAndy said:

More rules = more control as well

 

1 hour ago, warrior9 said:

Just puts the game more in the refs hands, which is ultimately what no one wants. 

 

From what I've read, and what Troy Vincent has said, the enforcement of the Hip Drop ban will NOT be done by flags and penalties, and more so via fines after the game. They plan to drive it out by hitting the players in the wallet as opposed to putting that pressure on the officials in real time.

[Boatdrinks]

1 hour ago, T master said:

So if you come in from behind for a tackle and hit the guy in the back to take him down is that a illegal hit in the back or a blind side tackle ? Not exactly sure how this is going to work & if enforced as such how many will just let the runner go in fear of being penalized or fined .

No , it is not illegal. 

[MJS]

Joey Bosa tackled Josh Allen this way a few years ago and Bills fans everywhere said it was a dirty play and should have been a foul. Well, now it is.

 

Josh Allen came up limping on that play as well.

 

This is a good move, people.

[LeGOATski]

1 minute ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

 

 

From what I've read, and what Troy Vincent has said, the enforcement of the Hip Drop ban will NOT be done by flags and penalties, and more so via fines after the game. They plan to drive it out by hitting the players in the wallet as opposed to putting that pressure on the officials in real time.

To start, maybe... they're still going to call it in game.

[MJS]

7 minutes ago, LeGOATski said:

He was a victim of it by Joey Bossa I think, but fortunately didn't get injured (idk how because the replay looked ugly.) That was an infamous play that season where we heard on the replay Bosa saying "how else am I supposed to bring him down? He's too big."

 

I think it was Bosa. Or maybe Watt.

 

The Bills Oline took exception to it and was yelling at him.

You beat me to it. It was Joey Bosa and Allen came up limping after the play. Bills olinemen went after Bosa after it happened.

 

For those who don't know, the hip drop tackle is an actual technique. You have to try to do it. It doesn't happen naturally, usually. It is not that common in the NFL, but in recent seasons is has been growing in popularity. Better to ban it now before it becomes standard.

[FireChans]

6 minutes ago, MJS said:

Joey Bosa tackled Josh Allen this way a few years ago and Bills fans everywhere said it was a dirty play and should have been a foul. Well, now it is.

 

Josh Allen came up limping on that play as well.

 

This is a good move, people.

It wasn’t dirty. Allen is a giant running full speed. If your QB is acting like a runner, he should be treated like a runner. Joey Bosa shouldn’t be forced to grab onto his hips and let him carry him forward 4 more yards for the first down. 

[Punching Bag]

1 hour ago, MrEpsYtown said:

 

 

This gave me a thought of current players in Lingerie League. No wonder I never watched South Park but no insult intended to those who like to do / watch crossdressers.

 

 

I am starting to get same reaction to NF*rackedUpLeague with their multiple million dollar nonPlayers being paid to not play.

[Punching Bag]

12 minutes ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

 

 

From what I've read, and what Troy Vincent has said, the enforcement of the Hip Drop ban will NOT be done by flags and penalties, and more so via fines after the game. They plan to drive it out by hitting the players in the wallet as opposed to putting that pressure on the officials in real time.

 

They should also have retroactive fines for POS like Vincent with removal of benefits.

 

Without enforcement in game players will do it if it makes a difference in winning a game especially a playoff game.

52 minutes ago, MrEpsYtown said:

 

Also deciding they just weren't going to call holding on the KC offensive line essentially handing them a championship. 

 

When that happens Zebra hunting season should be open.

[Matt_In_NH]

So more 15 yard penalties....cant wait.

 

I am good with making the game safer but maybe we can get rid of the 15 yarders for touching the QB's facemask?

[Buffalo ill]

Anyone who supports this garbage is likely just trying to help get football replaced with lame ass soccer.  You should be ashamed.  Leave our beautiful sport alone.

[MJS]

17 minutes ago, FireChans said:

It wasn’t dirty. Allen is a giant running full speed. If your QB is acting like a runner, he should be treated like a runner. Joey Bosa shouldn’t be forced to grab onto his hips and let him carry him forward 4 more yards for the first down. 

Hip drop tackles are illegal in multiple sports. Bosa can't tackle him with a horse collar tackle either, even if that might help. He can't tackle him by the face mask, even if that might help. He also can't pull out a gun and shoot him.

 

So yeah. If it means he gets dragged for more yards because he can't employ every possible means of stopping him, tough luck.

1 minute ago, Buffalo ill said:

Anyone who supports this garbage is likely just trying to help get football replaced with lame ass soccer.  You should be ashamed.  Leave our beautiful sport alone.

Really, because hip drop tackling has been pretty rare in football until pretty recently where it has started to be more widely used.

 

Anyone who doesn't support this just doesn't understand it, I think.

[NoHuddleKelly12]

45 minutes ago, The Wiz said:

so basically you can keep tackling like that but expect a fine?

 

McKay said “mostly”…subtext: “Except when the Bills are in the divisional round, preferably attempting to bring down a Kansas City wide receiver, and imposition of the penalty would result in first and goal Kansas City, thusly ensuring a last second Patrick Mahomes win.”

[Southern Bills Fan]

You know every interception that Mahomes throws now will be called back for being a hip drop horsecollar offensive onsides interception so KC gets a free play.

[colin]

allen is gonna get hip dropped blatantly 10 feet in front of the ref and get called for intentional grounding.

 

that loss (and seemingly every other one in the past 2 regular seasons) didn't really matter tho, we still lost home playoff games, so mer.

[D. L. Hot-Flamethrower]

Geez talk about overreactions. It needed to happen, just like the horse collar. You can still tackle, just not this way. My god people it'll be okay! The game needs to be safer deal with it.

[Jauronimo]

The hip drop wasnt even a thing 2 years ago and now half of you are acting like its part of the fabric of the game.