On Monday morning, the NFL officially approved a pretty significant rule change for the upcoming NFL season as the league officially banned the “hip drop” style of tackle where players grab ball carries from behind and bring the ball carrier down to the ground by dropping their hips, often landing on the ball carrier’s legs and feet.
The NFL made this change due to player safety as the league found that this style of tackle led to between 20 and 25 times more injuries than other kinds of tackles. Under the new rule, players will now be penalized 15 yards and could be fined for tackling players in this manner.
However, not everyone was in support of the rule. Last week, the NFL Players Association released a statement asking the NFL to reconsider the rule change.
“The players oppose any attempt by the NFL to implement a rule prohibiting a ‘swivel hip-drop’ tackle,” the NFLPA said in a statement. “While the NFLPA remains committed to improvements to our game with health and safety in mind, we cannot support a rule change that causes confusion for us as players, for coaches, for officials and especially, for fans. We call on the NFL, again, to reconsider implementing this rule.”
But controversial or not, the NFL has decided to institute this rule change for the upcoming season.
