NFL plans active offseason conversation about eliminating “hip-drop” tackles
 

The wussification of the NFL continues...

Is it flag football yet?

Re: NFL plans active offseason conversation about eliminating “hip-drop” tackles
 

As a rugby referee I can tell you that the game of rugby was safer after the multiple Law changes took effect to ensure players safety. Unlike Rodger Goodell's NFL, rugby has evolved from a ruffians sport for gentleman to a safer sport these days, but it's just as much fun to play as ever.

In rugby we put our money where our mouth is and have been making rugby safer for the last few decades. We didn't have to wait for public outrage to fix a problem. The NFL is just a mouthpiece that takes your money rather than putting their money where their mouth is.

Re: NFL plans active offseason conversation about eliminating “hip-drop” tackles
 

Re: NFL plans active offseason conversation about eliminating “hip-drop” tackles
 

For Christ's sake just give them Flags!

Re: NFL plans active offseason conversation about eliminating “hip-drop” tackles
 

Pretty much.

The rulebook is going to be so vague, any type of tackle will eventually become illegal.

This is getting out of control.

Re: NFL plans active offseason conversation about eliminating “hip-drop” tackles
 

Another way to control the outcome of the game. Annoying.

Re: NFL plans active offseason conversation about eliminating “hip-drop” tackles
 

I'm curious about the way "hip-drop" tackle is prohibited in rugby. What is the clear definition? How are players instructed to prevent making such a tackle? Can it even carry over to American football, if not abused or perverted?

Re: NFL plans active offseason conversation about eliminating “hip-drop” tackles
 

Rugby does not allow the dump tackle where a tackled players shoulders hit the ground before his hips. We outlawed High tackling above the armpit long ago. Personally, I don't understand what is unsafe about the hip drop tackle. Most injury at tackle in rugby occurs to the defensive player using poor technique.

Re: NFL plans active offseason conversation about eliminating “hip-drop” tackles
 

Here's a good tutorial that Australia's NRL put out after banning the hip-drop tackle defining what is and is not a hip-drop tackle.

Key indicators of a hip drop tackle

It translates very easily into American football. Tackling is pretty much the same process in rugby as it is in football.

Re: NFL plans active offseason conversation about eliminating “hip-drop” tackles
 

It's basically a judo takedown where you take your opponent's force and redirect it into a body slam. The used to be legal back when I was young and the laws were looser.

It's not necessarily a penalty unless the referee considers it to be foul play, which is unnecssary excessive force, and not in the spirit of good sportsmanship. Rugby is wholeheartedly moving toward the direction of player safety.