As the preseason continues, the NFL’s new helmet-lowering rule is continuing to take hits.
The rule, which was confusing enough when it was introduced on paper, has continued to be perplexing as officials have attempted to enforce it on the field during preseason football.
The tackling guideline, which makes it illegal for any player to lower his head to initiate and make contact with an opponent, has been particularly unpopular with defensive players as they have drawn the lion’s share of penalty flags for violating it thus far.
On Sunday, 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman sounded off against the rule and called on the NFL to change its policy before the game turns into flag football.
There is no “make adjustment” to the way you tackle. Even in a perfect form tackle the body is led by the head. The rule is idiotic And should be dismissed immediately. When you watch rugby players tackle they are still lead by their head. Will be flag football soon.
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) August 19, 2018
To all those ppl including those who made the rule. I want a video of YOU running full speed and being lead by anything but your head while also attempting to bring down a moving target. You will soon realize it’s impossible. https://t.co/QFyENU6LKf
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) August 19, 2018
This is considered a good Rugby tackle. It would be a for sure penalty in our league. https://t.co/2EqxrKwgCC
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) August 19, 2018
Valid points, but they don’t take into account the main goal, at least the stated one, of the new policy is to cut down on concussions and make play safer — making it more dull and confusing is just a side effect.
“Sherman’s point of view is completely understandable, and that’s the difficult part in all of this,” Sports Illustrated writes. “No one with an actual, sincere stake in this decision is wrong – not the people who have digested the health and safety information and are trying to make a difference, not the players who are worried about doing their job and earning a living and not the coaches who have a legitimate interest in both a safer game and a set of rules his players can actually comprehend.”
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