OT-Ivy League eliminates tackling at Practice

Submitted by RED DAWN on

Sports

March 1st, 2016 at 4:00 PM ^

This just isn't true. It's the same talking point that desperate old men that fear change keep spewing and it has no basis in fact. 

Look, is CTE endemic in rugby? No. Because people aren't taught to lead with their heads and they have minimal, if any head protection. This leads them to not be idiots with how they tackle. 

You can absolutely preserve everything that's great about the sport of football without forcing young people with promising futures repeatedly slam their heads together until their brains stop functioning for your entertainment. 

Chiwolve

March 1st, 2016 at 4:09 PM ^

Rugby is not football.

Can you get rid of a helmet in football? Not unless you eliminate shoulder pads

Can you eliminate shoulder pads? Not unless you eliminate other equipment (mainly helmets)

So what is the solution then -- eliminate all padding? 

I am not trying to downplay head-trauma and its damging effects, but I just don't see how you can eliminate the risk of head/brain injury wihtout FUNDAMENTALLY changing the nature of the game

Sports

March 1st, 2016 at 4:16 PM ^

This encapsulates my feelings better than my initial comments. I just don't see what's wrong with swapping out the parts of the game that are inherently broken and preserving everything that's good. I would watch rugby with a forward pass. I don't really view the removal of helmets or pads to be that big of a deal.



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DairyQueen

March 1st, 2016 at 5:42 PM ^

Robotics for training were always going to take over sooner or later anyway.

Even if NOT to avoid CTE.

Even if NOT to lower overall wear and tear (which is what the practice squads in the NFL are for)

But for "scaffold" learning. You can directly, with perfect specification, program the challenge-level and intensity (infinitely specific) that you want the user to improve upon.

It can simulate an opponent (based on film), or it can work for just general improvement.

Barbells (and the newer NFL-adoption: Trap-Bar DLs) will be seen as an idiotic, useless, and dangerous thing of the past.

Tech in sports is going to be SUPER fascinating!

Esterhaus

March 1st, 2016 at 4:27 PM ^

 

Typically rugby injuries to the head, excepting dental ones, occur after a player is already on the ground and another player, often from the same team, falls else steps on the back of the head. Majority rugby trauma are to the joints.

bluebyyou

March 2nd, 2016 at 6:04 AM ^

You have no idea what you are talking about. Go do some research.

Are you aware that CTE can result without head to head contact?  Cleveland Clinic and other research groups have done studies showing that when two players, such as an O and D lineman collide with no head to head contact, there is a whiplash effect from the decelerative forces that often takes place and the brain is jostled around in the skull which causes the same result as head to head contact. 

The kickoff and return, always a traditional part of the game, has already been grossly compromised. There really aren't too many additional modifications to the game that can be done without making greater changes.

Rabbit21

March 1st, 2016 at 3:48 PM ^

It's an interesting idea and I can't wait to see how it works on a league wide level.  Although I do think there needs to be a balance of teaching proper form in both tackling and being tackled that may be being missed out on, I am thinking on the whole it's a positive idea. Especially in conjunction with the tackling dummies to help rep proper tackling technique.

 

FauxMo

March 1st, 2016 at 3:46 PM ^

I think playing the game in 6 inches of bubble wrap surrounding each player would be hilarious. It would slow the game damn a tit, but safety first!

Esterhaus

March 1st, 2016 at 3:49 PM ^

 

Dartmouth, the Ivy winner last season, helped lead the change initiating the practice and the school's on-field championship results appear to support the move, which is intended to reduce the prospect of player injury particularly in respect of concussions. 

I observe Navy SEALS wear body armor and avoid shooting one another during their practice sessions. They are still bad asses.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/02/sports/ncaafootball/ivy-league-moves-to-eliminate-tackling-at-practices.html?ref=sports

maizenbluenc

March 1st, 2016 at 3:53 PM ^

positions and QB last year, they disallowed tackling of the QB, receivers or runners in practice.

The defense was attrocious last year - never saw so many missed, or broken tackles in all my life. It looked more like attempted dancing than attempted tackling.

It is one thing the practice the steps of heads up tackling on dummies, it is totally another to figure out effective pursuit angles, likely cuts, etc.and then follow through on a tackle of a real live person who is trying to avoid or break free of you.

The Ivys might as well switch to 7 on 7 and be done with it.

BursleyBaitsBus

March 1st, 2016 at 3:54 PM ^

This may decrease CTE or concussions, but it will pretty much ensure the increase of other injuries across the board in the Ivy League. 

 

When your body isn't used to getting hit in practice, how will it react when it does? 

BursleyBaitsBus

March 1st, 2016 at 4:04 PM ^

I'm not making this up. The NFL GMs/Coaches are talking about it already. 

There will be studies out soon when there is enough data. 

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/08/07/are-new-practice-rules-…

 

God forbid we discuss implications of less tackling in practice other than "OMFG I DON'T LIKE WHAT YOU'RE SAYING!!!!"