Can You Tackle By The Hair In The NFL?

In the NFL, players are not allowed to grab each other by the hair. However, some players have been able to get away with it by using creative techniques. Can you tackle by the hair in the NFL?

Introduction

In the NFL, you are allowed to tackle another player by their hair as long as it is not used as a grip. This rule was put in place to protect players from having their hair pulled during a tackle, which could lead to serious injury.

So, if you see a player being tackled by their hair in the NFL, don’t be too alarmed — it’s perfectly legal!

What the Rule Says

The rule on tackling by the hair is found in Rule 12, Section 2, Article 8 of the NFL rule book. It states that a player cannot grab an opponent’s hair in an attempt to tackle them unless that player is carrying the ball. If a player does grab an opponent by the hair while they are not carrying the ball, it will result in a 15-yard personal foul penalty.

How the Rule is Enforced

The rule is enforced by a penalty. If a player tackles an opponent by grabbing the opponent’s hair, a 15-yard penalty is assessed.

Why the Rule is in Place

The rule prohibiting tackling by the hair is in place to protect players from unnecessary injury. When a player is tackled by their hair, their head can snap back suddenly and violently, which can lead to neck and head injuries. In addition, players can be pulled down by their hair, which can lead to other injuries such as scrapes and bruises.

While there have been no reported serious injuries from tackling by the hair in the NFL, the rule is in place to prevent any potential injuries from occurring. In addition, the rule helps to keep the game fair by preventing players from using their hair as an advantage.

History of the Rule

The rule that allows players to tackle by the hair dates back to the early days of the NFL. In fact, it was one of the first rules ever established by the league. The rule was created in order to protect players from being injured during tackles. In the early days of the NFL, there were no padding or helmets, so players were at risk of serious injuries if they were tackled by the hair.

The rule remained in place for several decades, but it was eventually modified in the late 1970s. The new version of the rule allowed players to tackle by the hair as long as they did not use their helmet or any other part of their body to do so. This modification was made in order to reduce the risk of injuries.

The current version of the rule was established in 2015. It states that players are allowed to tackle by the hair as long as they do not grab more than two handfuls worth. This change was made in order to further reduce the risk of injuries.

So, while it may seem like a strange rule, there is actually a long history behind it. And, it is still in place today in order to keep players safe.

What Happens if the Rule is Broken

If a player tackles an opponent by grabbing their hair, they will be penalized 15 yards for unnecessary roughness.

Conclusion

Overall, it is illegal to tackle by the hair in the NFL. There are a few specific circumstances in which players are allowed to grab an opponent by the hair, but this is generally only done in order to make a stop on a return or prevent a quarterback from throwing the ball. If you see a player grabbing another player by the hair during a game, it is likely that he will be flagged for a personal foul.