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Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh has expressed his approval of the NFL's decision to outlaw the hip-drop tackle, a controversial technique that has been linked to player injuries. The league recently adopted a rule that penalizes the tackle, which involves a defender grabbing a ball carrier and twisting them to the ground while falling on the runner's legs.
Harbaugh cited player safety as the primary reason for ing the ban, stating that the hip-drop tackle is a relatively new phenomenon in football. The head coach explained that the technique probably comes from a similar play widely used in rugby, which is not necessary in football.
"When did you ever hear about the hip-drop tackle until like two years ago, three years ago, right? That's because it was discovered, probably, in rugby and started being executed as a standalone technique," Harbaugh explained in an interview with ESPN.
What's a hip-drop tackle, according to Harbaugh
"It's a three-part movement, [and] you've got to execute that play. You've got to be close enough to that ball carrier to actually get him around the hips, pull him close to yourself, swing your hips through and drop on the back of his legs," he detailed.
Harbaugh emphasized that players tackled effectively for over a century without using this technique and expressed confidence that they can return to traditional tackling methods. "If you're that close, wrap him up, tackle him and take him to the ground, like Ray Lewis used to do and everybody did for 100 years before that." the Ravens HC stressed.
The goal of the hip-drop tackle ban
The violation of the new rule will result in a 15-yard penalty, but the league plans to enforce it through warning letters and fines due to the challenge of identifying the tackle in real-time. The NFLCompetition Committee voted unanimously to ban the hip-drop tackle, with the rule aiming to reduce injuries caused by the play.
Despite the opposition from the NFLPA, the Competition Committee remains committed to implementing the rule to address the injury risks associated with the hip-drop tackle. President of the Committee Rich McKay acknowledged the challenge of enforcing the rule but emphasized the importance of player safety and discipline in the game.