NFL makes official ruling controversial ‘hip-drop’ tackling technique on first day Owner Meetings in Orlando

The NFL has reached an official ruling on the controversial “hip-drop” tackle during the owners meetings that kicked off this week in Orlando, Florida.

2024 NFL Approved Rule Changes

​1. By Detroit; amends Rule 15, Section 1, Article 1, to protect a club’s ability to challenge a third ruling following one successful challenge.

5. By Competition Committee; amends Rule 14, Section 5, Article 2, to allow for an enforcement of a major foul by the offense prior to a change of possession in a situation where there are fouls by both teams.​

8. By Competition Committee; amends Rule 12, Section 2, to eliminate a potentially dangerous tackling technique.

According to Tom Pelissero, NFL owners voted to approve a rule that bans the hip-drop tackle and moving forward it will result in a 15-yard penalty and automatic first down. 

Hip-Drop Tackle Now Banned

No surprise here, despite the NFLPA’s objections. The NFL made clear it wanted what it calls the swivel hip-drop tackle out of the game, and now it is. Expect more fines than flags as the league and coaches work to remove the technique. https://t.co/HsD1rGkiry

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 25, 2024

The NFL has been attempting to ban the “hip-drop tackle” for quite some time. Basically, it’s when a defender wraps up an offensive player and then falls to the field using their full body weight. The reason for the ban is to prevent injury, which the risk is apparently much higher when using the hip-drop technique. 

One of the most notable examples came last season when Mark Andrews was injured after Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson used the hip-drop tackle technique. 

Mark Andrews injured on hip-drop tackle by Logan Wilson

pic.twitter.com/SlkuhiOPIT

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) November 17, 2023

Side Note: “More Fines”…right lol 

The NFL Players Association was adamantly opposed to banning hip-drop tackles, but defenders will now have to adjust. 

Listen, I completely understand trying to prevent injuries but time and time again, the NFL continues to force players to basically defy the laws of physics with these stupid rules. Everything is so subjective and completely ruins the pace of the game.

Count me out on this rule change along with the one we saw countless numbers of times last year, where running backs were getting fined for “initiating contact” with a defender.  

D’Andre Swift fined nearly $10K for basically playing football against the Washington Commanders last weekend >> 

National Fine League: Breece Hall hit with a $43K invoice from the NFL after making routine contact with Falcons defender in Week 13

The game of football is a dangerous game. Players know the risks and still, it’s the most popular sport in America. Tackle football is in serious jeopardy if you are preventing defenders from being able to, you know, tackle. 

Honestly, the NFLPA should be the ones implementing new rules. No one else besides actual players should be in on the decision making.

That way, we can better understand what they view as dangerous compared to a bunch of owners that are honestly probably just scared of the media blowback if a player does unfortunately get hurt. 

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