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oldster writes:

The rule about leading with the helmet to hit people above the shoulders has a commendable goal. However, it fails to consider several things. First, it does not consider basic human anatomy. One cannot hit with the top of one's shoulder without one's head going first. Second, it does not consider that when a ballcarrier lowers his helmet for a tackler to not lower is own is to invite a pretty traumatic injury to himself (not to mention getting run over). So, with this rule, the only way to make a tackle and not get ejected, run over, and/or hurt when a ball carrier lowers his head would be to step to the side and try to tackle as he goes by. Good luck with that. Third: many officials cannot tell the difference between a tackle with the shoulder and one by the helmet. As soon as they see the defender lower his head and then make contact, they throw a flag. I think the rules committee should just throw out tackling at all and put in flags. Alternatively, institute the same rules for ball carriers that they have for tacklers.

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