Owners Ban Hip-Drop Tackle At NFL Annual Meeting

(Orlando, FL) — One rule change is coming to the NFL this season. Owners voted to ban the hip-drop tackle at the Annual League Meeting in Orlando on Monday. The rugby-style tackle involves a defensive player wrapping their arms around the midsection of a ball carrier and dropping their hips to land on a runner’s legs. The penalty for a hip-drop tackle will be a loss of 15 yards and an automatic first down. Meanwhile, the new kickoff format is expected to be discussed this week at the meetings, which conclude on Wednesday.