4 ms·

What rule changes can you make to football to eliminate head hits, without making the game unrecognizable? I think if that were a possible solution, they would

What rule changes can you make to football to eliminate head hits, without making the game unrecognizable? I think if that were a possible solution, they would have done it already. As is they're just tinkering on the margins with things like kickoff rules (encouraging more touchbacks to eliminate contact on one of the most dangerous plays of the game).

LgWoodenBadger 5y ago
Targeting (leading with the crown of the helmet) is a penalty that can get a college player ejected from the game, and if in the second half will carry over to the first half of the next game. A blow to the QBs head is a 15 yard penalty and automatic 1st down. Spearing is a personal foul, 15 yard penalty, automatic 1st down IIRC. I'm sure there are others...
- Goronmon 5y ago
  I think that would fall under "tinkering on the margins" as the person you replied to phrased it. An example of a more systemic change would be elimination of any head-to-head impacts that might occur between defense and offensive linemen on any given play. How do you work to eliminate those without changing the game into something unrecognizable?
  - deleted 5y ago
    [deleted]
toast0 5y ago
I don't know that eliminating the risk is a feasible goal. Reducing the highest risk parts of the game is feasible. But things like reducing the number of players on the field, making periods shorter, increasing time between games (or reducing games per season), and putting playtime caps (at least at lower levels) would statistically reduce risk without making things unrecognizable. Alternatively, Atari predicted robot football by next 2022 [1], with additional updates in 2072. [1] https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=7469 https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=7469
kasey_junk 5y ago
If you look at the rule changes the previous safety crisis brought on, the game became fundamentally different so I don’t think that’s actually a show stopper. I actually worry much more about line play than most given the evidence that suggests constant low level head collisions are as dangerous as limited high impact hits for things like cte. You could imagine mandating standing positions at the line, a wider scrimmage line and mandatory shotgun snaps as rule changes that would limit the constant head collisions linemen take. Just as a for instance. For a dramatic change you could imagine weight limits like in sprint football.
lantry 5y ago
Instead of tinkering with the kickoff, you can eliminate it entirely. After scoring, the scoring team gets possession on their own 20 yard line, with 4th down and 20 to go. In this situation they will usually punt. If they go for it, instead of an offside kick, you get a real offensive play. https://youtu.be/t_SsIKgwvz4 https://youtu.be/t_SsIKgwvz4

LgWoodenBadger 5y ago

Targeting (leading with the crown of the helmet) is a penalty that can get a college player ejected from the game, and if in the second half will carry over to the first half of the next game. A blow to the QBs head is a 15 yard penalty and automatic 1st down. Spearing is a personal foul, 15 yard penalty, automatic 1st down IIRC. I'm sure there are others...

Goronmon 5y ago
I think that would fall under "tinkering on the margins" as the person you replied to phrased it. An example of a more systemic change would be elimination of any head-to-head impacts that might occur between defense and offensive linemen on any given play. How do you work to eliminate those without changing the game into something unrecognizable?
- deleted 5y ago
  [deleted]

toast0 5y ago

I don't know that eliminating the risk is a feasible goal. Reducing the highest risk parts of the game is feasible. But things like reducing the number of players on the field, making periods shorter, increasing time between games (or reducing games per season), and putting playtime caps (at least at lower levels) would statistically reduce risk without making things unrecognizable. Alternatively, Atari predicted robot football by next 2022 [1], with additional updates in 2072. [1] https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=7469 https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=7469

kasey_junk 5y ago

If you look at the rule changes the previous safety crisis brought on, the game became fundamentally different so I don’t think that’s actually a show stopper. I actually worry much more about line play than most given the evidence that suggests constant low level head collisions are as dangerous as limited high impact hits for things like cte. You could imagine mandating standing positions at the line, a wider scrimmage line and mandatory shotgun snaps as rule changes that would limit the constant head collisions linemen take. Just as a for instance. For a dramatic change you could imagine weight limits like in sprint football.

lantry 5y ago

Instead of tinkering with the kickoff, you can eliminate it entirely. After scoring, the scoring team gets possession on their own 20 yard line, with 4th down and 20 to go. In this situation they will usually punt. If they go for it, instead of an offside kick, you get a real offensive play. https://youtu.be/t_SsIKgwvz4 https://youtu.be/t_SsIKgwvz4