(03-28-2018, 10:47 AM)Wyche Wrote: This.

We weren't taught rugby style tackling.....but we were taught heads up tackling in pee wee.  Our coach taught us to keep the head up, follow the numbers on the jersey (torso can't juke you), break down, come across the chest, try to put the facemask on the ball, and hit, wrap, lift the ball carrier, and drive him into the turf. (obviously, you can't ALWAYS execute proper form)

Admittedly, I've been away from the game both playing and a tad of little league coaching for years now, but as I watch....I can't figure out why we got away from tackling like that.  How many times do we see guys going for the kill shot.....lowering the head, and throwing forearms to the ball carrier instead of wrapping him up, only to see the offensive player bounce off and break free?

If done properly, I could actually see it improving the tackling.

(03-28-2018, 11:21 AM)grampahol Wrote: Maybe they should just eliminate helmets and pads entirely. I hate to say it, but I enjoy watching Rugby more than football. I remember one season the Bengals weren't going anywhere and there was a local channel carrying the rugby championships..  That was great..no commercials every 15 seconds, non-stop rugby ...I was rooting for S Africa , but NZ mopped the floor with them . The problem with rugby is there's not really enough time for bathroom breaks.. lol   

(03-28-2018, 12:28 PM)jj22 Wrote: My point exactly. Even with the good for tackles techniques brought up in this thread.

“Lowering the head to initiate contact with the helmet” would seem to happen on virtually every play"


http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/03/28/no-one-knows-how-strictly-the-nfl-will-enforce-the-new-helmet-rule/

(03-28-2018, 11:11 AM)Go Cards Wrote: see what you hit is what coaches were preaching in my day as well. 

But sadly the roar of the crowd and the big paydays change some players techniques when they get older it appears. 

(03-28-2018, 11:41 AM)sandwedge Wrote: Spot on Wyche! I disagree with the premise that, this is going to lead to more missed tackles. On the contrary it will result in better tackling as I alluded to yesterday. I'd rather see a great tackle, than some dipsh*t missing tackles trying to lay someone out. 

(03-28-2018, 12:50 PM)jj22 Wrote: I'm thinking we'll see a lot of calls in the preseason, but not as much during the season.

(03-28-2018, 01:43 AM)thegimp Wrote: We have been teaching rugby style tackling at the middle school and high school level for a few years now.  It takes the head completely out of tackling.  Pete Carroll popularized it and there have been a few studies that have shown positive effects on a players health.  It will take a while to gain traction at the collegiate and pro level, mainly because it takes away the highlight real hit.

(03-28-2018, 09:10 AM)bengalfan74 Wrote: I think there's very little doubt football is a dying sport. How long that death will take is the only question ?

My H.S. football team dresses half of the players it did in my day. The Band is a shadow of it's self back in the day ! Probably somewhere in the neighborhood of 3/4 of the students in the top three grades were on the field either on the team, cheerleaders, band, flag corps, majorettes. Today you could take the band home in a minivan.

The middle class moms of America are less and less behind the game every year. Pee wee football numbers have been in decline for years and I've little doubt those numbers will continue to decline at even greater rates with all the concussion stuff going on now.

It's dying at the beginning, at the bottom. The top has no support if the base crumbles and it is.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/kass/ct-football-concussions-youth-kass-met-0906-20170905-column.html

https://nypost.com/2017/09/03/why-america-is-falling-out-of-love-with-football/

(03-28-2018, 12:51 PM)Wyche Wrote: Yep.....I don't know when or why it happens, but it seems to be a problem where it shouldn't be.....the professional level.  Of course, maybe it has to do with some teams seemingly coaching it, and others retaliating after the officials refuse to enforce the rules already in place regarding the use of the helmet.


It may be ugly for a bit, but I think it will lead to more solid tackling as well.  It seems some guys are looking more to lay the wood than they are going for the ball or making a sure stop.  The problem is, as jj noted, how in the hell are they going to objectively enforce the rule?  We have finally fixed the catch rule, now opened up to more gray areas.  In my estimation, intentional spearing should have been automatic ejection and a 1 game vacation to begin with.  Then, the intentional shit goes by the wayside, and probably even reduces the instances of incidental helmet leading.

(03-27-2018, 08:21 PM)jj22 Wrote: Before it was face up, see what you hit. That's illegal now too.

(03-28-2018, 04:32 PM)fredtoast Wrote: No.  That is not illegal.

"face up" is the opposite of "lowering your head".

(03-28-2018, 05:34 PM)jj22 Wrote: It is illegal now. That's what all the debate is over. It's still leading with your helmet rather it's face up or face down.

(03-28-2018, 03:35 AM)Thundercloud Wrote: If this is done right, what it may do is SAVE football.

(03-28-2018, 12:28 PM)jj22 Wrote: My point exactly. Even with the good form tackles techniques brought up in this thread.

“Lowering the head to initiate contact with the helmet” would seem to happen on virtually every play"


http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/03/28/no-one-knows-how-strictly-the-nfl-will-enforce-the-new-helmet-rule/

(03-28-2018, 06:14 PM)firstand10 Wrote: Didn't quite understand this rule,does it only apply to Defense?

(03-29-2018, 08:35 AM)Sled21 Wrote: No, it's for both sides of the ball. As for football as we know it being over, I'm more pissed that they are discussing doing away with kickoffs and starting the game with a punt.