Archived Thread

Rugby tackle form in the NFL

JohnF : 5/17/2017 6:09 pm

With CTE injuries still in the news, I thought it would be a good time to bring this up (Rugby Tackling).

This has been promoted by Pete Carroll, and it's gaining some momentum. Here are some links:

Pete Carroll tackles a serious issue with instructional video (Comments by John Madden)

Rugby Today: Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carroll teaches rugby tackling (From the Rugby Point of View)

CBS:How Pete Carroll's rugby-style tackle is changing college football (Comments by Urban Meyer and other college coaches)

For old time football watchers (those of us who watched in the 60's and earlier), this looks very familiar. I'm sure some of BBI has played both Rugby and American Football, and I'm looking forward to your comments!

that's what shoulder pads have always been for

gtt350 : 5/17/2017 6:20 pm : link

There are techniques for schemes.

K-Gun? Pop-Gun : 5/17/2017 6:29 pm : link

Generally, in rugby it doesn't matter if the runner gains another yard or two. It's better to bring them down in an advantageous position for the next ruck.

1st and 10 makes every yard count. Have to stop them now.

Something has to be done to reduce concussions -

Ira : 5/17/2017 6:52 pm : link

not only for players health but for football to continue as a viable sport. Maybe this is part of the answer. Thanks for posting it.

RE: Something has to be done to reduce concussions -

GuzzaBlue : 5/18/2017 10:15 am : link

In comment 13474414 Ira said:

Quote:

not only for players health but for football to continue as a viable sport. Maybe this is part of the answer. Thanks for posting it.

Yes absolutely. It's gotten way out of hand. There has got to be a way they can reconstruct the helmets even more. Changing tackling would take a long time, but could be done. If would have to be implemented from the ground up (Pee-wee). Theres no way you can teach NFL players a different way to tackle. It would change the game. It would have to be done at the lowest level and build its way up.

That's how I teach my kids.

Andy in Halifax : 5/18/2017 10:21 am : link

That's how our association has always taught our kids...

There's no way to teach an NFL player a different way to tackle?

CT Charlie : 5/18/2017 10:24 am : link

They already have different ways to tackle depending on the situation: open field vs. goal line; center of the field vs. sideline; tackling OBJ vs. Brandon Jacobs, or Michael Vick vs. Eli Manning...

RE: that's what shoulder pads have always been for

rich in DC : 5/18/2017 11:14 am : link

In comment 13474396 gtt350 said:

Quote:

I personally believe that shoulder pads are the primary reason for concussions (beyond lame helmets). Today's players have become so enamored with "blowing up" someone because the shoulder pads will absorb most of the impact (less pain) that they launch themselves at the ball carrier or get huge running starts.

Take away their shoulder pads, or give them lacrosse shoulder pads, and I firmly believe that form tackling (and IMO, a better quality of play where there are fewer broken tackles) will emerge by necessity. There aren't many people who will be launching themselves or getting big running starts with limited shoulder pads.

Furthermore, I believe that with advances in helmet technology, together with the reduction in shoulder pads, will eventually bring down the number of concussions.

You can't eliminate concussions in a game predicated on physical contact. However, you can reduce the means for the players to inflict them.