Here in Texas, our youth teams (12 and under) are playing with a new rule that requires them to wrap up and tackle, rather than knock over or hit. Unless a player is on the side lines then you can push (arms have to be extended) Teams are penalized 15 yards if they do not wrap up and tackle, as well as the ball carrier is still "live". As well as the player being warned and tossed on the second incident. After a bit of an adjustment period, I have to say it's a pretty damn refreshing brand of football, and the thought is that it will trickle up. Concussions and leg injuries are almost non existent. Anyone have a thought on this? Think this would be a good thing for the NFL to look at? I do.
A couple of questions... What about a runner who is diving? As in diving over the top at the goal line or diving out of bounds stretching for a first down? How can they be tackled? Also, often the only way to tackle is to dive and take the runner's feet out. Is that legal? And now, some football wrap: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2TPX-kUwpM Didn't like that one? OK, here is the all-time classic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_P1PPy7FTo But, ya know, this is why I played and watch football: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_kflEwPJgw
You can dive all you want, as long as you wrap. Also, about half those monster hits in the last video were wrap up tackles.
Even if you prevent 90% of injuries until the Pros; imagine how many long term problems that will avoid for the whole population, considering how many people play football but don't make it to the Pros.
True. Also, I think that by then so many players will pretty know only that way to tackle it will carry on into the pros.
I like the idea, and have said for quite awhile that it would make a huge difference in the number of injuries. I hope it catches on more widespread. On a side note: Teams should be making this rule for themselves, on their own...it will make their defense better. I want to pull my hair out when I see these players go for a big hit and miss the tackle instead of just wrapping up and bringing the player down.
get rid of pads and helmets altogether. Will still have injuries, accidents are going to happen, but nobody's going to throw their head in there unprotected.
I can't remember, but I think I read somewhere that Rugby and Aussie rules football have about the same number of concussions, or concussion ration as the NFL
Well one of my biggest gripes with college and pro football is how poorly people tackle, so if this can trickle up then I'm all for it. "Hit and wrap up" was the way it used to be taught and there's no reason why youth and high-school football programs can't teach proper technique again.
That's why we're mostly QB's, kickers/punters, and fat linemen. Not a lot of wrapping for them. I love watching kickers try to wrap.
