In a decision that has angered many football fans, coaches and players, NFL owners have greenlit a rule proposal to prohibit the swivel hip-drop tackle, the league announced today.
The rule change will see teams penalized 15 yards if a swivel hip-drop tackle is flagged during games.
The NFL's owners have voted to ban the hip-drop tackle.
Current and former NFL players are less than thrilled…https://t.co/cEYNJD2x67 pic.twitter.com/toYWO4KHUQ
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) March 25, 2024
Explaining the rationale behind the decision, competition committee chairman Rich McKay clarified, “The proposal specifically targets a subset of the rugby tackling style that has gained traction in the NFL in recent years.”
The NFL has banned the "hip drop tackle" in a unanimous decision..
Everybody seems to be pissed and for good reason #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/Re90tm4mm4
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 25, 2024
The banned technique involves a defender grabbing the runner with both hands or wrapping them with both arms while simultaneously unweighting themselves by swiveling and dropping their hips and/or lower body, potentially causing injury to the runner’s legs.
With the NFL unanimously voting to ban the Hip-Drop tackle, it’s only a matter of time before football as we know it, is just physical flag football. pic.twitter.com/7o7YnV5FUk
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) March 25, 2024
However, the NFL Players Association and several current and former players voiced objections to the proposal, citing concerns about confusion among players, coaches, officials, and fans.
This is now a 15-yard penalty and an automatic 1st down. In this case, 1st and Goal from inside the 1. #NFL is a freaking joke. The hip-drop tackle ban is another big move toward basically removing defense. #DawgPound pic.twitter.com/wN8WxviDBH
— The Dawgs – A Cleveland Browns Podcast (@thedawgspodcast) March 25, 2024
Reacting to the news, future Hall of Famer J.J. Watt expressed dissatisfaction with the decision, echoing the sentiments of many.
“Just fast forward to the belts with flags on them…” Watt tweeted on X.
Just fast forward to the belts with flags on them… https://t.co/yToh5XKVMS
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) March 25, 2024
The urgency for the ban was highlighted by incidents like the one involving Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews last season.
Andrews suffered a serious injury from a swivel hip-drop tackle executed by Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson, resulting in a cracked fibula and ligament damage, sidelining him until the AFC Championship Game.
"How could you not be pissed when you hear this..
We're putting more subjective calls on the refs..
Nobody has ever been taught what a hip drop tackle is" ~ @OfficialAJHawk #PMSLive https://t.co/zi7gq5juJh pic.twitter.com/tbPA5YLIky
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 25, 2024
According to NFL executive vice president Jeff Miller, there were a staggering 230 instances of the prohibited tackling technique occurring during games last season, with 15 players missing playing time as a direct consequence.
At this point, just make the NFL flag football
— Vince Langman (@LangmanVince) March 25, 2024
In addition to the ban on the swivel hip-drop tackle, two other proposals were approved during the owners’ meeting…
-Teams will now receive a third challenge following one successful challenge, a change from the previous requirement of two successful challenges to receive a third. (This proposal was submitted by the Detroit Lions.)
-Major fouls committed by the offense will be enforced before a change of possession in situations where both teams commit fouls.
Roger Goodell getting ready to ban tackling in 2028 because NFL offenses averaged less points than the previous year: pic.twitter.com/gHjIdUM4a9
— Kenny🇯🇵🇰🇷 (@24khucci) March 25, 2024
What are your thoughts on the controversial ban of hip-drop tackles?
Are you worried that the NFL is removing too much of the physicality aspect of football???
"They said banning the hip drop tackle passed unanimously but I spoke to some teams that weren't in favor of this..
It's gonna make the jobs of the defensive players infinitely more difficult"@AdamSchefter #PMSLive https://t.co/zi7gq5juJh pic.twitter.com/H5oBEnYPf3
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 25, 2024