NFL Removing "Devestatign Hits" from the game

[bobblehead]

Its called physics. If you lean forward by definition you will "lead with your head" to an extent and at times you will get helmet to helmet contact.

If you "lean forward" to make a tackle but conciously tip your head back so as to not "lead with the helmet" you will break your neck upon contact.

If you stand up straight and make a tackle so as not to break your neck or create the possibility of helmet to helmet contact you will get flat out plowed over by the offensive player and likely get hurt in some other way.

Um, you'd think you'd be right, but, I don't think you are. Again, no Rugby player crashes head first into a tackle unless he's in possession of the ball or plain stupid. Obviously, the head sticks out above the shoulder, but you aim your shoulder, thus "lead" with it.

Having said that, a football play is MUCH faster, in Rugby you have much more time to set up your "prey", it's not a stop and go game, like football, it flows.

I also don't think the League is punishing helmet to helmet when a RB or WR has lowered his head, nor should they.

Every rugby player I knew in college suffered a concussion at one point or another. Also, as you said, the ball carrier is also not wearing the gear so he doesn't initiate the hit like the NFL guys.

Once upon a time my 8th grade coach gave me some great advice. He said "no matter what is happening on the field you should be looking to hit someone. Its when you are not that you get hurt." I think Chad Clifton would agree. I have taken some big hits in my day (jokes are aloud here), but I jumped up after all of them because I remembered that advice.

[bobblehead]

I do not agree with Bobble that leading with the top of you head is less or similarly dangerous to leading with your head up and trying to get your facemask on the opposition. Seeing what you are hitting is the best way to avoid a dangerous collision. And while there are certainly positions that could result in your neck being bent back, being able to see the hit and angle coming is the best way to avoid it. With your head down, you have no control what happens.
.

I tried this technique for awhile after I whiffed a few tackles with my head down and....FUCKING OUCH!!!!

Likely I did it wrong, but I always like to lower my head, crunch up my shoulders, and try to hit the guy shoulder to waistline. Occasionally when a carrier would lower his body for impact we would collide heads. Also at times he would cut and almost rip an arm off.

If you want to end the concussions, make it 15 yards for a first down and take away the helmets and much of the padding. I just don't think you can criticize a defender for some of the hits I have seen fined (the one harrison hit for sure....the dude ran into HIM)

[Guiness]

A lot of very insightful stuff here, and interesting to see the rugby perspective brought in - a sport that shares a lot with American Football.

My own experience with rugby was that most concussions are caused by the ground - although maybe that's different in Canada, because the school rugby season stretches until the ground is frozen.

I know this isn't quite the thread for it, but with all the emphasis on the helmet to helmet hits, I still don't get why (Urlacher?) the Bears LB didn't get a fine for the contact on Rodgers, AFTER he was down.

[Tarlam!]

Rugby tackling is very different from Football tackling. We were taught in rugby to grab spin and fall with the guy no need for huge hits.

Maybe that's why the American Eagles are no match for the Wallabies, the All Blacks etc?

But seriously, there's no need for big hits in Rugby, because it's a different game. Once tackled, the ball carrier must let the ball loose and a socalled ruck forms to decide next possession. Still, big hit are a big part of Rugby, because that's how dominance is established.

[mraynrand]

If you remove 'Big Hits,' what does Bigby have left in his arsenal?

[pbmax]

If you remove 'Big Hits,' what does Bigby have left in his arsenal?

His health?

[Tarlam!]

If you remove 'Big Hits,' what does Bigby have left in his arsenal?

Skin's eternal admiration?

[bobblehead]

Its called physics. If you lean forward by definition you will "lead with your head" to an extent and at times you will get helmet to helmet contact.

If you "lean forward" to make a tackle but conciously tip your head back so as to not "lead with the helmet" you will break your neck upon contact.

If you stand up straight and make a tackle so as not to break your neck or create the possibility of helmet to helmet contact you will get flat out plowed over by the offensive player and likely get hurt in some other way.

Um, you'd think you'd be right, but, I don't think you are. Again, no Rugby player crashes head first into a tackle unless he's in possession of the ball or plain stupid. Obviously, the head sticks out above the shoulder, but you aim your shoulder, thus "lead" with it.

Having said that, a football play is MUCH faster, in Rugby you have much more time to set up your "prey", it's not a stop and go game, like football, it flows.

I also don't think the League is punishing helmet to helmet when a RB or WR has lowered his head, nor should they.

I'm sure its just a coincidence, but from what I read, the only head injury suffered this week was by the safety who played like a pussy and got plowed over by Cedric Benson....sorry, I'd rather deliver the hit than take it...fines be damned.