The NFL has implemented a new rule banning hip-drop tackles, which will impact defensive players and anyone else trying to make a tackle during games in the 2024 season and beyond. The league’s competition committee voted unanimously at the annual league meeting to penalize players who use the technique, with a 15-yard penalty and potential fine for offending players. The hip-drop tackle, where a defender wraps the ball carrier with their hands or arms and then drops their hips, has caused injuries to numerous players and has been a highly debated topic. Commissioner Roger Goodell has been a driving force behind the rule change.
One of the key incidents that led to the ban on hip-drop tackles was a postseason tackle by former San Francisco 49ers safety Jimmie Ward on Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard in 2022. The tackle resulted in a serious ankle injury for Pollard, requiring surgery. Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews also suffered a significant injury due to a hip-drop tackle this season against the Cincinnati Bengals, causing him to miss most of the 2023 season. The NFL has identified 105 hip-drop tackles out of 20,000 reviewed since 2022, with an increased risk of injury compared to standard tackles.
The NFL Players Association expressed opposition to the ban on hip-drop tackles, citing concerns about confusion for players, coaches, officials, and fans. They emphasized their commitment to improving the game with health and safety in mind but called on the NFL to reconsider implementing the rule. Despite the pushback, the league moved forward with the ban in an effort to reduce the number of injuries resulting from this particular type of tackle. The new rule signals the NFL’s continued focus on player safety and the prevention of unnecessary injuries on the field.
The rule change comes as part of the league’s ongoing efforts to enhance player safety and reduce the risk of injury during games. The decision to ban hip-drop tackles reflects the NFL’s commitment to addressing dangerous techniques that can cause harm to players on the field. By penalizing players who utilize this specific tackle, the league aims to create a safer environment for all players and minimize the occurrence of potentially serious injuries resulting from such plays. The unanimous vote by the competition committee underscores the importance of this rule change in protecting the well-being of athletes in the NFL.
The ban on hip-drop tackles will have a significant impact on defensive players, who will need to adjust their tackling techniques to comply with the new rule. Players who continue to use the prohibited technique risk penalties, fines, and warnings from the league. The rule change is expected to lead to a shift in how tackles are executed during games, with an emphasis on safer and more effective methods of bringing down ball carriers. With player safety at the forefront of the decision-making process, the NFL is taking proactive steps to reduce the incidence of injuries caused by certain types of tackles on the field.
