The NFL’s brutal side of things is often in the limelight for all the bad reasons. While the league is introducing new rules every now and then, the onus is always on protecting the athletes from getting injured. Thus, in order to eliminate frequent injuries, the league revised its entire kickoff rule. From this season onwards, the dynamic kickoff rule will be in full effect.
However, while the kickoff has been taken care of, there still lies some of the dangerous fouls that can potentially end an athlete’s career. And a hip-drop tackle is exactly the name that fits the description. Here’s everything you need to know about what a hip-drop tackle is.
What Is A Hip Drop Tackle In The NFL?
Hip drop tackles are brutal tackles that are enforced on an offensive player when on the prowl. The defensive player often comes from behind and drops deadweight on the offense.
According to the NFL rule book, a Hip Drop tackle is when a defender, “grabs the runner with both hands or wraps the runner with both arms,” and “unweights himself by swiveling and dropping his hips and/or lower body, landing on and trapping the runner’s leg(s) at or below the knee.”
However, this tackle is deemed to be an extremely risky tackle. This is because, at the point of impact, the entire weight of the defender falls on the offensive player’s legs. This increases the potential of a grave injury by 20 times.
Is The Hip Drop Tackle Legal In The NFL?
No, the hip-drop tackle is no longer legal in the NFL. Before the start of the 2024 season, the decision was taken to ban the move altogether. After careful insights from the Competition Committee, the foul was deemed too dangerous to be used in regular play. The committee consists of coaches and executives who studied the ill consequences the foul can bring thoroughly.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NFL stories via Google! Follow Us
Is There A Penalty For A Hip Drop Tackle?
Yes, there is definitely a penalty for trying things that are illegal. But in this case, the punishment is much more severe than you can think of. In order to refrain athletes from even performing the tackle once, the NFL has laid down some strict set of rules.
The team committing the foul will be penalized with a 15-yard penalty flag. Apart from that, the player committing the offense for the first time will be fined a hefty $16,883. For second time offenders, the penalty will be even more higher- a whopping $22,511.
Also Read: What Is A Pooch Kick In The NFL? Find Out
The team committing the foul will be penalized with a 15-yard penalty flag. Apart from that, the player committing the offense for the first time will be fined a hefty $16,883. For second time offenders, the penalty will be even more higher- a whopping $22,511.
What Happens When A Hip Drop Tackle Is Called?
Once a referee spots a hip drop tackle, he will instantly call the foul as it is a banned play. However, the athlete on whom the foul is being called can always have the option to challenge it. There are four appeal officers in an NFL game and a player can reach out to either one of them. After being assigned with a case, the officer responsible will be thoroughly reviewing the referee’s call. He will also determine if the offense really falls under the explanation of what a hip drop tackle is. Alongside, the designated fine amount is also being reviewed. However, once after the review, if the decision stays as a foul, there is very little an athlete can do after that.
What Happened To Mark Andrews That Fast Tracked The Hip Drop Tackle In Getting Banned?
Baltimore Ravens’ Mark Andrews stands as a prime example of how severe a hip drop tackle can be. Last season in November, the Ravens’ tight end got hip dropped by Cincinnati Bengals’ linebacker Logan Wilson.
Launching a harsh tackle from behind, Andrews suffered some brutal injuries in his legs. Suffering from a cracked fibula and significant ligament damage to the right ankle. Sidelined for the majority of the season, Andrews sat out for 10 weeks, before making an impressive comeback on January 28.
Thus, with the ill-impacts of the tackle quite evident, it is no wonder why the hip drop tackle is being banned from the NFL. Trying to protect the athletes, it is safe to say that the banning of the foul is surely a step in the positive direction from the NFL.
