NFL owners to consider kickoff change, hip-drop tackle ban

[Mizak]

NFL to mull kickoff change, hip-drop tackle ban

The NFL's competition committee proposed a revamped kickoff and a ban to the "hip drop tackle," among potential rule changes that owners will vote on next week.

www.espn.com

The kickoff proposal would be the most significant on-field rule change for the NFL in years and is designed to reverse more than a decade of declining return rates while also lowering concussion rates. In essence, the committee's proposal would move the majority of the kicking and return teams downfield to minimize high-speed collisions. If approved by at least 24 of 32 owners, the rule would go into effect for one year only.

The kicker would continue to kick from the 35-yard line, but the other 10 players would line up at the receiving team's 40-yard line. At least nine members of the return team would line up in a "setup zone" between the 35- and 30-yard line. Up to two returners can line up in a "landing zone" between the goal line and the 20-yard line. No one other than the kicker and returner(s) can move until the ball hits the ground or a player inside the landing zone. Touchbacks would be marked at the 35-yard line, and no fair catches would be allowed.

In the event a team wants to attempt an onside kick, it would have to inform officials of its intent and would then be allowed to use the NFL's traditional formation. No surprise onside kicks would be allowed.


Seriously, stop changing shit.

 

[BlueTalon]

In the event a team wants to attempt an onside kick, it would have to inform officials of its intent and would then be allowed to use the NFL's traditional formation. No surprise onside kicks would be allowed.


Seriously, stop changing shit.

Agreed.

 

[Bear-Hawk]

At this rate, Devin Hester’s record will stand forever.

 

[Crizilla]

NFL to mull kickoff change, hip-drop tackle ban

The NFL's competition committee proposed a revamped kickoff and a ban to the "hip drop tackle," among potential rule changes that owners will vote on next week.

www.espn.com

The kickoff proposal would be the most significant on-field rule change for the NFL in years and is designed to reverse more than a decade of declining return rates while also lowering concussion rates. In essence, the committee's proposal would move the majority of the kicking and return teams downfield to minimize high-speed collisions. If approved by at least 24 of 32 owners, the rule would go into effect for one year only.

The kicker would continue to kick from the 35-yard line, but the other 10 players would line up at the receiving team's 40-yard line. At least nine members of the return team would line up in a "setup zone" between the 35- and 30-yard line. Up to two returners can line up in a "landing zone" between the goal line and the 20-yard line. No one other than the kicker and returner(s) can move until the ball hits the ground or a player inside the landing zone. Touchbacks would be marked at the 35-yard line, and no fair catches would be allowed.

In the event a team wants to attempt an onside kick, it would have to inform officials of its intent and would then be allowed to use the NFL's traditional formation. No surprise onside kicks would be allowed.


Seriously, stop changing shit.

Hopefully NFL fans start to realize why MLB fans are the way they are. We hate change for the most part. Lol.

 

[Hawkinaz]

The kick off rule change sucks

 

[sutz]

The kickoff rules change sound really lame.

I understand the safety angle, but by the time they're done there will be no tackling from behind at all and any run that gets past the line will go to the house.

 

[xray]

Didn't John Madden predict , that someday QBs would be wearing skirts...or was that Ditka? It could happen .

 

[Maulbert]

I think a lot of people here forget that was the XFL kickoff rule. The part about the onside kick is stupid though. They should just do the 4th & 15 rule.

 

[GemCity]

They want to see high scoring games…

They need to quit watering the game down.

 

[RiverDog]

If they're going to keep screwing around with the kickoff like they have been for the past 30 or so years, why don't they just eliminate kickoffs all together and give the ball to the offense on the 25 yard line? It's tiresome.

I can understand changing some of the tackling rules as it applies to the head/neck area as those have the most consequential life threatening/life changing possible outcomes. But all this other stuff they've been changing, ie not going low on the QB, horse collar tackles, et al, are not at all life threatening. They're making it almost impossible to make a legal tackle.

 

[fenderbender123]

I really don't get these rule changes either. What is the bottom line risk to the business? Players get hurt? People arent going to quit watching just because there are slightly more injuries. Next man up.