Are big hits ruining football?

[Roland Hearn]

It doesn't matter whether it is American football or Rugby League the fans just love it when the defensive player puts a huge shoulder hit on attacking opponent with the ball. Who doesn't love it - smash and a player running at top speed bounces back three yards, falls flat on his back and the defensive player stands over him mocking him. It is a great spectacle.

Here's my problem as I watch football I see players going for it more and more and more. The issue is percentage wise it brings people down significantly less often then wrapping the player up in your arms. I am so tired of defensive players going for a big hit and the offensive guy getting a brush on the shoulder and side stepping and making significant ground. No one seems to see the problem but I reckon if they eliminated that move from most players game you would see much more effective defense. There is an old saying, "they can't run without legs." Hit a guy hard and wrap up his legs and forget the kudos and you will have done your job it may not be pretty but you are paid the big bucks to stop the guys not to get the applause...at least that is the way it should be.

Rant over - does anyone see the issue the same as me or am I just a dinosaur?

[Jim Poteet]

It doesn't matter whether it is American football or Rugby League the fans just love it when the defensive player puts a huge shoulder hit on attacking opponent with the ball. Who doesn't love it - smash and a player running at top speed bounces back three yards, falls flat on his back and the defensive player stands over him mocking him. It is a great spectacle.

Here's my problem as I watch football I see players going for it more and more and more. The issue is percentage wise it brings people down significantly less often then wrapping the player up in your arms. I am so tired of defensive players going for a big hit and the offensive guy getting a brush on the shoulder and side stepping and making significant ground. No one seems to see the problem but I reckon if they eliminated that move from most players game you would see much more effective defense. There is an old saying, "they can't run without legs." Hit a guy hard and wrap up his legs and forget the kudos and you will have done your job it may not be pretty but you are paid the big bucks to stop the guys not to get the applause...at least that is the way it should be.

Rant over - does anyone see the issue the same as me or am I just a dinosaur?

You are right on Roland. The fundamentals of tackling in football have gone by the wayside. It must drive defensive coaches crazy!

[Roland Hearn]

Would it not be possible for a defensive coach to simply insist that winning the game was more important than a players personal accolades? "The next player that puts shoulder charge on that doesn't come off is out for a week." They would either get better at it or stop doing it, to tell you the truth most of the time instead of looking like heroes they look like they are way out of their league. Surely there must be some level of embarrassment when the guy they are going to tackle walks around them and they are left hitting wind with their shoulder.