RWU HQ – After a short power outage due to a severe thunderstorm and threat of a tornado, my power is back on
and Internet is up and running.
And with that, I bring you some interesting news in the NFL.
It seems that more teams are catching on to the rugby-style tackling technique first adopted on the gridiron by the Seattle Seahawks.
According to a recent Instagram post by NFL Network reporter Albert Breer, it seems that the Philadelphia Eagles have picked up the technique as well.
When the story first surfaced last August, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll was quoted saying how the rugby-style technique allows the coaches to teach the new way to tackle without a helmet or pads, and that’s exactly how the Eagles are taking this new approach.
“We have found that we can practice and drill our tackling without pads or a helmet,” Carroll said. “This system of tackling was recently inspired by those who play rugby around the world. Rugby players have truly taken the head out of the game and truly exemplify shoulder tackling.”
Eagles head coach Chip Kelly is making the most out of his time in OTAs teaching his players a newer and safer technique. Without pads, Kelly is able to teach his players the correct way to use the technique and has the time to get his defenders comfortable with this new way to tackle.
If you watch either Breer’s video or Carroll’s tutorial, it is clear that the
rugby-style tackling technique is a much safer style compared to the one commonly taught, which is to tackle through the body. The rugby-style technique lessens the chance of helmet-to-helmet contact, by trying to take the head out of the tackle all together.
This is exactly what the NFL is trying to accomplish – eliminate helmet-to-helmet contact.
Coming from someone who has played the game for a long time, the rugby-style tackle is the safer way to go.
It is great to see one more team pick up this new and safer technique. Hopefully by this time next year it’s not just one more team picking up the style, but instead five or 10.
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