Nfl Rules History

Safety over Entertainment Football has evolved into a very popular sport in the United States of America. Evolution of the rules in the National Football League has been necessary because if they had never changed, player substitutions would be prohibited and communication with the sidelines would not be allowed. That is a major part of the game today, and has had a positive effect on the game. The rules have changed in the past in order to make the game more entertaining and safer for the players. With that same intention, more and more rules are being changed but some people have come to the conclusion that, more rules will only ruin the game. What they have to come to realize is that evolution is the only way to secure a future for the …show more content…
Mainly to help the offense score more points. For example, in 1933 the NFL decided to allow the ball to be passed anywhere, from behind the line of scrimmage. Before that decision was made, a pass could only be made if the offensive team was 5 yards behind the line of scrimmage. The NFL’s goal by changing that rule was to make the game more entertaining for fans, by making it easier for the offense to score. Although not many rules have recently been applied to help prevent concussions. Which should also be another main focus of the NFL since there is such a high rate of traumatic head injuries in games. Most head injuries are due to helmet-to-helmet tackles that occur during the game. Although the NFL has a rule about helmet-to-helmet hits, it does not eliminate all of those hits. Which is a huge problem that should be changed. In order for that to change the NFL should not only penalize the player that lined up the hit. In the most recent rulebook, the player only receives a fine. But that is not enough, they should also punish the player’s team with a 15-yard penalty, to make teams enforce the rule and encourage players not to lower their heads to tackle. Another part of the punishment that should be included for a helmet-to-helmet hit, should be a one game suspension for the player. In addition to that, the player should also be ejected from that game, just in case they survive a helmet-to-helmet hit. Sure …show more content…
If the NFL makes more dangerous hits illegal, it would minimize those types of hits. One commonly known type of hit is known as a chop block. It was a hit designed by players to take out their opponents at the line of scrimmage. Based on the rules of the NFL this hit is legal under certain circumstances. The circumstances making this hit legal are, “while the defensive player is physically engaged above the waist by the blocking attempt of another offensive teammate” (NFL Rulebook 2015). Then as far as the NFL is concerned, another offensive player may chop the defensive player. With this kind of hit, it can be very dangerous to the defensive player. Causing all sorts of injuries, such as a concussion because of falling face first into another player. Chop blocks need to be eliminated all together in the NFL because a player can be targeted and severely injured during a game. And the offensive team may not stop targeting a player until the player is injured and taken out of the game. In addition to eliminating chop blocks, the NFL should also apply a punishment to players who still continue to do them. Such as ejection from that current game and suspension for the upcoming game. To enforce the rule on players and prevent them from initiating a chop block. Which would help minimize injury in the game and make playing football