The tackle that briefly knocked Geno Smith out of the Seahawks' Week 4 win over the Giants didn't draw a flag at the time, but next season that type of play, known as a swivel hip-drop tackle, will be illegal.
That was one of three rule changes adopted by NFL clubs on Monday at the Annual League Meeting in Orlando, a change aimed at eliminating the type of lower-leg injuries that often result from such tackles. Illegal hip-drop tackles will result in a 15-yard penalty and automatic first down.
The change does not outlaw all hip-drop tackles, but rather those on which the tackler "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." In other words, if a hip-drop tackle doesn't include landing on the player's legs, it is still legal.
Also approved is a change to the rules for coaches' challenges, with teams now awarded a third challenge if they win either of their first two challenges. Previously, a third challenge was only given if a team won both of its challenges.
The other change approved addresses situations in which fouls are committed by both teams on a play that results in a change of possession, allowing for enforcement of a major foul (unnecessary roughness) by the offense prior to a change of possession. Previously, major fouls committed by the offense in that situation were ignored.
The proposed change that would significantly change kickoffs was not voted on Monday.
