My thoughts on the empasis on helmet to helmet rules

This is good info and has been out in the MSM but never seems to get any traction. I put a comment in the rules changes post on the main page but that is not getting any traction. I will copy it here as I think it relates to what you are saying.

I have some thoughts on the defensless player

When you look at these hits, two things come to mind. First off, these hits are basically car crashes. The defender is creating an impact intended to stop the offensive player. It looks awesome, yeah but this is very dangerous and look at the aftermath, players laying on the ground dazed. That can’t be good for them.
Secondly, and this is where I think the conversation should be going. The players complain that the sport is becoming too soft, but in fact the players are bigger, stronger, better conditioned, and worst of all, expected to be great all the time. Now, how many times have we all complained about lack of tackling. That is the flip side to these hits, when they miss. We Hate It! That is when the other team makes a huge gain or a score. If I were a defensive coach I would be thanking the gods for this rule. Now you can preach wrapping up and be supported by the NFL rules. Don’t try to knock over your target. Grab him and take him down. If you bounce off, what is your next move. Take the angle, get the wrap and you will (not always) get the tackle. I know I have seen lots of conversations in game threads and after about taking bad angles and not wrapping up. Some of us having fits over lack of tackling. Well, this defensless player rule will force the defenders to pay more attention to angles and basics.
I don’t like the "protection" rules all that much, but this one looked at from a different viewpoint can be a good thing.

Opinions are like……, Well anyway, this is mine.

by Sean in Pa. on May 26, 2011 10:15 AM EDT reply actions

I have real issue with players coming out and whinging about this. It is the technique which is a real issue and as you have clearly illustrated can cause serious injury to either player. It is the NFLs job to make sure the guys that play can still play safely and dont have the long term problems which are becoming very apparent with ex players.
This does not mean that it becomes flag football and any player who says so is too lazy to try and work out how to tackle correctly.
Just as an excuse to search You Tube and see them again I have attached some big hits from rugby union. You tell me that tackling correctly would mean reducing the game to flag football.
Phil Vickery
Brian Lima Samoan Hit
Josh Lewsey

Very appropriate in light of the recent praise for Joe Mays’ tackling. The author of the post put up video of Mays leveling Maoioeiiki (KC TE – intentional misspelling). While it was a highlight reel hit, Mays lead with his head down and didn’t wrap up. It was exactly the kid of hit that I don’t want my 4 yr old son trying to emulate.

I agree completely. I haven’t read all the rule changes, but some seem to try to correct the players tendancies to lead with the helmet. If players play with good fundamentals, they don’t lead with the helmet, and to be honest, are surer tacklers. It’s one of my pet peeves when a player goes for the big hit only to have the offensive player bounce off and keep his balance gaining more yards while the defender flops to the ground because he wasn’t looking his tackle through and wrapping up with his arms. I’ll take the sure unspectacular tackler over the big hit guy who whiffs it any day of the week.

One thing that irks me about all this is Harrison trying to claim he’s not out to injure players. BS! He is trying to hurt others and will eventually hurt himself.

GO BRONCOS!!!

And I agree mostly.. The solution isn’t making a lot of new rules. This is just a part of all. It must go much deeper, with a mass conscientization of every player who starts playing the sport as a kid.

New rules like setting the kickoff to 35y reduces the number of big collisions as in this way there will be less returns and more touchbacks. But it also kills a very important part of the game, that is the specialists work.

A lot of thinks must be think to reduce the risk for the players and still have the high level of the sport. I’m still not sold on what, but I’m sure it has to start teaching all the kids in the begining and continues with this until the retiring day of the NFL veteran.

of the kids are taught correctly up through High School. At that point they are encouraged to make big plays to get scouts attention, make big plays to get the scholarships, make big hits to make the highlight reels or the fat contract. Until the publics appetite for big bruising hits changes (it won’t) it is going to be very hard to change the culture of players . ESPN, NFL network, your evening news all want clips that make us ooh and aaah.

On that peewee tackling drill…..WOW!

It all starts with teaching kids when they are young the proper techniques. However when ESPN glorifies these “big hits” doesn’t help matter either.

The thing that bugs me is that I see players that hit the wrong way on some plays, yet won’t lead with their helmet the next. They know how, it’s just that some don’t care.

Reducing these kinds of hits is necessary for players’ health as well as playing better defense. One thing we will have to deal with is that offensive players lower their head as well when a defensive player is approaching. It will be interesting to see how the refs enforce this new rule.

Make it a rule that you can’t lower the top of your helmet and have to use the face mask first. Includes running backs and linemen lowering their heads. In high school on down, players should have pressure sensitive tape from about 2" above the face mask, across the top, or better known as the crown. If it has more than 25% activated, or changes color it is a penalty, period. Teach em young!