The NFL has issued a formal ruling on the contentious hip-drop tackle.
During Monday’s meeting, NFL owners voted to implement a rule prohibiting the hip-drop tackle, as reported by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Under the new regulation, executing a hip-drop tackle will incur a 15-yard penalty and an automatic first down.
However, Pelissero suggests that while this play will lead to penalties, fines may become more common than penalty flags in the upcoming season.
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The NFL has been advocating for the prohibition of hip-drop tackles for some time. This technique involves a defender wrapping up the offensive player and then twisting or falling to the ground using their full body weight. The league argues that hip-drop tackles pose a greater risk of injury compared to more conventional tackling methods. Indeed, the league can point to a notable injury from the previous season attributed to such a play.
Despite opposition from the NFL Players Association, the ban on hip-drop tackles has been ratified. Defenders will now need to adapt their techniques accordingly.
