Hip-drop tackle banned by NFL

In an interesting but unsurprising move, the NFL outlawed the hip-drop tackle. The penalty for this tackle is 15 yards and an automatic first down.

Here is how the rule reads:

“It is a foul if a player uses the following technique to bring a runner to the ground: (a) grabs the runner with both hands or wraps the runner with both arms; and (b) 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.”

This is going to be a tough one to officiate. It’s hard to determine what constitutes a hip-drop tackle, especially at full speed. It’s going to be a judgment call, which could impact games going forward. We’ll see how this plays out. Maybe it will be heavily officiated in the preseason and not called at all during the regular season. 

Third challenge added:

A team will be permitted a third challenge if it is successful on at least one both of its challenges. However, a fourth challenge will not be permitted.

Fouls by both teams: 

If both teams foul after the last change of possession (double foul after change of possession), or the offense commits an unnecessary roughness or an unsportsmanlike conduct foul before the change of possession, the penalties are offset, and the team last in possession shall retain the ball at the spot where its foul would be enforced if it was the only foul.

If the spot is normally a touchback, the ball is placed on the 20-yard line, or the 25- yard line if the impetus was from a free kick. If it is normally a safety, the ball is placed on the one-yard line. On kicking plays, if Team A fouled prior to the change of possession, Team B shall also have the option in (1) above.