NFL bans 'hip drop' tackle

[bobblehead]

This.

I saw the video explanation and it’s pretty easy to spot.

I could show you a video explaining PI and it would be really easy to spot. I just won't show you the more iffy examples.

[Joemailman]

I could show you a video explaining PI and it would be really easy to spot. I just won't show you the more iffy examples.

It would have to be a pretty long video. I think whether a tackle is a hp drop tackle has a more specific definition.

ARTICLE 1. DEFINITION
It is pass interference by either team when any act by a player more than one yard beyond the line of scrimmage significantly hinders an eligible player’s opportunity to catch the ball

ARTICLE 2. PROHIBITED ACTS BY BOTH TEAMS WHILE THE BALL IS IN THE AIR
Acts that are pass interference include, but are not limited to:

Contact by a player who is not playing the ball that restricts the opponent’s opportunity to make the catch;


Playing through the back of an opponent in an attempt to make a play on the ball;

Grabbing an opponent’s arm(s) in such a manner that restricts his opportunity to catch a pass;

Extending an arm across the body of an opponent, thus restricting his ability to catch a pass, and regardless of whether the player committing such act is playing the ball;

Cutting off the path of an opponent by making contact with him, without playing the ball;

Hooking an opponent in an attempt to get to the ball in such a manner that it causes the opponent’s body to turn prior to the ball arriving; or
Initiating contact with an opponent by shoving or pushing off, thus creating separation.

Note: If there is any question whether player contact is incidental, the ruling should be no interference.

ARTICLE 3. PERMISSIBLE ACTS BY BOTH TEAMS WHILE THE BALL IS IN THE AIR

Acts that are permissible by a player include, but are not limited to:

Incidental contact by an opponent’s hands, arms, or body when both players are competing for the ball, or neither player is looking for the ball. If there is any question whether contact is incidental, the ruling shall be no interference.

Inadvertent tangling of feet when both players are playing the ball or neither player is playing the ball.

Contact that would normally be considered pass interference, but the pass is clearly uncatchable by the involved players, except as specified in 8-3-2 and 8-5-4 pertaining to blocking downfield by the offense.

Laying a hand on an opponent that does not restrict him in an attempt to make a play on the ball.

Contact by a player who has gained position on an opponent in an attempt to catch the ball.
Notes:

[sharpe1027]

By gut says it’ll be as often as horsecollar, tripping, etc.

There’s a lot of rules that people have to abide by that aren’t very common fouls.

Feels like nothingburger

Possibly. When the horse collar rule came out, it seemed really easy to see and even easier for a player to avoid. This one doesn't feel that way to me.

[Fosco33]

It’ll be like most rules and they’ll throw flags for first 4 games and it might affect a game.

But most likely it’ll be used for retrospective fines and not flags.

It’s not like they got rid of extra points (they should) or changed the OT to more college like rules (I’d also say is better).

[Frozen Tundra]

Possibly. When the horse collar rule came out, it seemed really easy to see and even easier for a player to avoid. This one doesn't feel that way to me.

One difference I see is that a horsecollar is pretty much a horsecollar. It's difficult to accidentally horsecollar a guy. Possible, sure (we've probably all seen it happen), but when a defender realizes he's got the wrong grip, he can quickly let go and at least have a chance to avoid the flag. Like an accidental facemask.

But with this "hip drop" tackle, I can see a number of ways for a defender to partially lose his grip and slide down a bit while the ballcarrier struggles to break free, and the tackler to land on the lower legs without being able to do anything to stop it. Or a perfectly clean, legal tackle where the tackler and ballcarrier just fall awkwardly, and pow! 15 yards and an automatic first down. And there's not a thing the tackler can do at that point, even let go.

It's not like that's going to happen frequently, but it will happen. And at some point, it's going to cost a team a game. Fans are going to be pissed, the refs will be torched in the press, and people will accuse the league of fixing games. If it does significantly improve player safety, then that's obviously not an all-bad thing. I'm just skeptical that the unintended consequences won't backfire and outweigh the good it does.

Edit: But then again, maybe this is all a big noise about nothing at all. A lot of people in the thread obviously think so; I can't say they're wrong, and there's at least as good a chance that they're right as there is that I'm right. We'll know in a few months. I'm just really damned skeptical of every single thing the league does these days - every single time, it seems to come down (in some way) to making more money for the billionaires as opposed to actually making a better product for the fans. And the game usually seems to wind up somewhat worse for it. I just don't trust Roger Goodell any further than I could spit a burning porcupine.

[sharpe1027]

It’ll be like most rules and they’ll throw flags for first 4 games and it might affect a game.

But most likely it’ll be used for retrospective fines and not flags.

It’s not like they got rid of extra points (they should) or changed the OT to more college like rules (I’d also say is better).

If the goal is just to stop players from doing it, why make it anything other than a fine?

[bobblehead]

Possibly. When the horse collar rule came out, it seemed really easy to see and even easier for a player to avoid. This one doesn't feel that way to me.

Right. So if I can't "swivel" my hips, can I just pull my knees into the back of his knees and pin his legs that way? I didn't do the swivel. No? So I have to wrap him and dead weight my own back into a pretzel and hurt myself instead...sorry, I probably make a business decision and let him run.

[Joemailman]

If the goal is just to stop players from doing it, why make it anything other than a fine?

I think that's mostly what's going to happen. I don't think you'll see it called in games much. I also think you'll see the NFL in preseason holding meetings with players about specifically what it is to get the players to stop using the technique.

[Joemailman]

Right. So if I can't "swivel" my hips, can I just pull my knees into the back of his knees and pin his legs that way? I didn't do the swivel. No? So I have to wrap him and dead weight my own back into a pretzel and hurt myself instead...sorry, I probably make a business decision and let him run.

I think you can. Provided that doesn't cause you to put the crown of your helmet into the guy's back.

[sharpe1027]

Right. So if I can't "swivel" my hips, can I just pull my knees into the back of his knees and pin his legs that way? I didn't do the swivel. No? So I have to wrap him and dead weight my own back into a pretzel and hurt myself instead...sorry, I probably make a business decision and let him run.

And this:
How much swivel is required?
How forceful does the contact with the legs need to be?
How much weight does the player need to transfer when pulling themselves up.

[Fritz]

I think that's mostly what's going to happen. I don't think you'll see it called in games much. I also think you'll see the NFL in preseason holding meetings with players about specifically what it is to get the players to stop using the technique.

That's pretty hip.

Wait, no it's not.

No, it is.

No, it's not.

I'm so confused.

[MadtownPacker]

[Fritz]

Is that like the Mexican version of the Disney Channel? If so, it's a lot hotter than what we get here. The American Disney kids don't usually get sexy until after they leave Disney.

[MadtownPacker]

Damn you’re White. Dude that song was very popular in the mid 90s. One hit wonder kinda thing. You had to have heard it at a sporting event. Now they can play it when that penalty gets called.

The Mexican shows never did that. It was the ladies hosting the shows who would be hoochied up.

[bobblehead]

Someone needs to remake that using "when you dip I dip and swivel". I think it could be an underground hit.