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During the offseason, conversations swirl around the NFL. Between the league and the NFLPA, they address potential rule changes that may help the game.
The NFL competition committee has proposed a new rule that would penalize a player with a 15-yard penalty and grant their opponent an automatic first down for using the hip-drop tackle to bring a runner down.
Definition of a hip-drop tackle
(a) grabs the runner with both hands or wraps the runner with both arms; and
(b) unweights himself by swiveling and dropping his hips and/or lower body, landing on and trapping the runner’s leg(s) at or below the knee.
At least one New Orleans Saints veteran player is not a fan. Cameron Jordan clearly does not believe that it would be a smart move to punish players for making a common tackle.
— Cam Jordan (@camjordan94) March 20, 2024
Hip-drop tackles are common around football, and they can be tough to avoid. In many cases, the tackler is not purposefully doing the tactic to injure the opponent. The NFL possesses incredibly high-level athletes that are tough to bring down.
Outlawing this type of tackle presents a lot of grey space when it comes to what tacklers can and cannot do. Sometimes, it is simply unavoidable in their attempt to get a guy to the ground - which is their job.
Not to mention, any direct contact above the shoulders is also a penalty. Player safety is extremely important, but there is only so much to do to prevent injuries.
NFL owners meet next week in Orlando. There may be an update on this potential rule change around that time.
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