After fixing its most confusing rule, the NFL introduced a new rule that many people believe will be difficult to officiate
- The NFL voted to tweak the catch rules to make them less confusing and introduced a new rule penalizing players who lead with their helmets on hits.
- The NFL said head-to-head hits were on the rise in recent seasons and they wanted to make the game safer.
- Some feel that the new rules will only make the game harder to officiate and could result in more flags and penalties.
On Tuesday, NFL owners voted to clarify one of the league's most confusing rules, while also introducing a new rule that could cause some confusion.
As expected, the league changed its baffling catch rules, allowing movement of the ball in the receiver's hands, ending the need to control the ball to the ground, and making it more difficult for officials to overturn catches.
However, they also introduced a new rule to eliminate head-to-head hits, which the NFL said have been on the rise in recent years.
The new rule states that if a player lowers his helmet to initiate contact on a hit, it can be a 15-yard penalty. According to reports, the league will discuss the possibility of ejections.
Rich McKay, the chairman of the Competition Committee, said on Thursday that the NFL hopes the change will inspire safer technique and will extend down to lower levels of football. The league will reportedly have a meeting with players and coaches to work through the new rule and teach techniques.
While the goals of the rule are admirable, many in the NFL world feel it will only result in more penalties, flags, ejections, and confusion.
The NFL noted that the infamous Ryan Shazier hit from last year would now be illegal because he led with his head. That play went unpenalized last season.
As some writers noted, the rule could be difficult to officiate for two reasons: Players with the ball may brace themselves for tackles by lowering their heads to protect the ball and their bodies. Additionally, some players expecting a tackle could contort their position to draw contact with a defender's head, thus drawing a penalty.
While the NFL's ambitions for the new rule may have been well-placed, they may have just created a new headache for officials.