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.

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

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

I'm glad this is being addressed. The high drop has frustrated me for years.

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

Good. Safety first. It's a contact sport but tackling appropriately and safely should definitely be implemented. Rugby did this years ago and is a safer sport than football. A couple of year ago a pro football team brought in a professional rugby player to teach them how to tackle. I think it was the Eagles. They tackled more effectively and were less likely to injure or be injured at the tackle. It's not always the tackled player who needs attention after the play.

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

Back in the discussion again.

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

Back in the news.

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

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

The NFL needs to ban Loomis from getting any more game balls.

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

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

Soon, we’ll be watching multimillionaire monsters wearing tutus and ballet slippers who aren’t even allowed to “taunt” each other. The games will be aired on Nickelodeon. Quido will call it Porn.

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

Oh he won’t be getting anymore….he doesn’t have Sean to pile up those wins for him. Instead of getting balls maybe he should grow a pair

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

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

Absolutely the right call. Get rid of it.

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

Yup. It was one of those "unintended consequences" we always hear about. When Pete Carroll introduced the technique to the league 15-20 years ago it was supposed to be a way to minimize head and neck injuries. What it accomplished was producing the highest injury rate of all plays in the game by a monumental number. Something like 25 times the next closest dangerous play in the game. It was basically the same result as the horse collar with the added impact of the total weight of the tackler landing on the back of the ball carrier's legs.

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

There have been two definition hip drop tackles so far this season that I am aware of with both resulting in injury. Joe Mixon was the latest yesterday and resulted in a fractured fibula.