Report: NFL Bans Hip-Drop Tackle; Competition Committee Was Unanimous on Rule Change
Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRT
Featured Columnist IVMarch 25, 2024
NFL owners voted unanimously on Monday to ban the swivel hip-drop tackle during the league meetings, according to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
Tom Pelissero @TomPelisseroNo surprise here, despite the NFLPA's objections. The NFL made clear it wanted what it calls the swivel hip-drop tackle out of the game, and now it is. Expect more fines than flags as the league and coaches work to remove the technique. <a href="https://t.co/HsD1rGkiry">https://t.co/HsD1rGkiry</a>
The move was expected, with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones telling reporters Monday that removing the swivel hip-drop tackle was necessary for player safety.
"You can coach that one. In my mind, that's one of the easier deals," he said. "It reminds me a little of (the) horse collar. That's needed. That's very needed. It's very obvious that it's injurious."
"It's just too sudden, like [an offensive player has] been shot between eyes when [a defender catches] them just right," he added. "I know of no other way to tackle somebody that stops them right where they are in the open field. Well, that's got to rupture something."
Atlanta Falcons CEO and competition committee chairman Rich McKay specified that the specific form of hip-drop tackle being banned was one where "a player literally grabs and then unweighs himself and lifts himself in the air and comes down on the knee or ankle."
Mike Garafolo @MikeGarafoloRich McKay making it clear multiple times there's a difference between a hip-drop tackle and the swivel hip-drop tackle. The defensive player lifting himself off the ground and using his weight to fall on the offensive player is what they're working to eliminate. <a href="https://t.co/gnSmMDwaGn">https://t.co/gnSmMDwaGn</a>
Such a maneuver will now be punishable by a 15-yard penalty and automatic first down for the offense, though the expectation is that it will probably result in more fines than penalties on the field in 2024 as officials and players adjust to the change.
The NFL Players' Association was not in favor of the proposal:
There was plenty of backlash on social media after Monday's vote as well:
Matt Barrows @mattbarrowsAs you might imagine, this was an unpopular among 49ers defensive players when it was brought up during the season. They noted: When you're a 190-lb DB tasked with bringing down a 245-lb TE, you can't be choosy in how you do it. <a href="https://t.co/Ccx18a4Jmy">https://t.co/Ccx18a4Jmy</a>
Others took the NFL's side on the change:
Two other rule changes were officially approved on Monday, most notably teams now obtaining a third challenge after just one successful challenge. Previously, a team would only get a third challenge if both of its challenges were successful.
It appears as though the proposed modified kickoff rules won't be voted on just yet, however.
NFL fans will have plenty to debate in the meantime, however, as the changes to hip drop tackles provided plenty of impassioned opinions on Monday.