NFL Announces Controversial Rule Change: Banning the Hip Drop Tackle

🚫The NFL has banned the hip drop tackle, a technique where a defender uses their body weight to bring down an opponent.

🔄Officials will need to see three elements in order to call a penalty for a swivel hip drop: the defender grabbing the opponent, swiveling them, and unweighting them.

📈Last season, there were 230 examples of swivel hip drop tackles, up 60% from the previous season.

⚖️The rule change has sparked controversy and concerns about how difficult it will be for officials to enforce consistently.

🏈While the rule change aims to improve player safety, there are concerns about its impact on the game and the ability of smaller defensive players to make effective tackles.

What is the hip drop tackle?

—The hip drop tackle is a technique in football where a defender uses their body weight to bring down an opponent.

How will officials enforce the ban on hip drop tackles?

—Officials will need to see three elements in order to call a penalty for a swivel hip drop: the defender grabbing the opponent, swiveling them, and unweighting them.

How often were hip drop tackles used last season?

—According to a league study, there were 230 examples of hip drop tackles in the 2023 season, an increase of 60% from the previous season.

Why is there controversy surrounding the rule change?

—There is controversy surrounding the rule change due to concerns about how difficult it will be for officials to consistently enforce it and its potential impact on the game.

What are the concerns about the ban on hip drop tackles?

—There are concerns that the ban may disproportionately impact smaller defensive players and restrict their ability to effectively tackle larger opponents.

00:00The NFL has announced a controversial rule change that bans the hip drop tackle.

01:40Officials will need to see three elements in order to call a penalty for a swivel hip drop: the defender grabbing the opponent, swiveling them, and unweighting them.

02:58Last season, there were 230 examples of swivel hip drop tackles, up 60% from the previous season.

04:51The rule change has sparked controversy and concerns about how difficult it will be for officials to enforce consistently.

06:32While the rule change aims to improve player safety, there are concerns about its impact on the game and the ability of smaller defensive players to make effective tackles.