In a controversial move, NFL owners have voted to ban the swivel hip-drop tackling technique, sparking debate among players and fans alike. The technique, which involves dropping the hips and rotating them to deliver a powerful hit on an opponent, has been praised for its effectiveness in bringing down ball carriers. However, concerns over player safety and the risk of serious injury have led to the decision to outlaw this maneuver.
Critics of the ban argue that it will limit defensive players' ability to make crucial stops on the field and could fundamentally change the way the game is played. Proponents of the ban point to studies showing that hip-drop tackles are responsible for a significant number of concussions and other injuries in football.
Voting at the annual league meeting in Orlando, owners passed a proposal outlawing whenever a defender grabs the runner with both hands or wraps the opponent with both arms and "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." Such plays now will result in a 15-yard penalty and automatic first down when flagged.
Jeff Miller said the league found 230 instances last season of the now-banned tackle, up 65% from the previous year.
The hip-drop tackling ban proposal was written to address only a subset of the rugby tackling style that has spread around the NFL in recent years, competition committee chairman Rich McKay said last week.
 Tony Pollard, Bengals receiver Tyler Boyd, Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith and Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill all being on the receiving end of the now-illegal hit.
NFL teams will continue to receive videos showing illegal hits and ways to make tackles within the rules.
Union pushback is twofold, a league source with knowledge of their sentiment explained. One concern: League rules continue to change with minimal player input, and without meaningful player voting power, a system the union believes is unfair to the players whom it impacts.
The hip-drop tackle is defined as any time a defender grabs the runner with both hands or wraps the runner with both arms, and then swivels or drops his hips or lower body, landing on and trapping the runner's leg below the knees.
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