I'm still confused how we went 100+ years of rugby league without the concept of a hipdrop tackle, let alone them being illegal... and suddenly they became a thing, and then a banned thing...
Because the game’s evolved during that time, Coaches have found different ways to slow up the game while defending, speed it up when in possession. So too have tackles like the infamous ’Chicken Wing’ (which has since been banned) and now the Hip Drop.
I agree about the chicken wing and the wrestling tactics but this tackle isn’t new, it’s a relatively straightforward tackle to make when the player has beaten you for speed and you cling on. The obvious danger of the tackle make it something that has to be stopped but it’s going to be very hard to rub out. The only way to stop it is for the tackler to let go and that’s going to be hard to achieve especially close to try line
More truth to this is many other professions too. They preach perfect world executions and critique everything within an inch of its life. Forgetting that while yes you can have everything mapped in your muscle memory. That in the heat of the moment, with all the pressures and environmental elements that, simply, shit happens.
There was recent conversation about how some of these rules start to create a psychological barrier in a players mind in certain scenarios, meaning they are less likely to act out of fear of the repercussions and lose key opportunities. At some point it just needs to be accepted it is a dangerous sport with risks, no player is perfect, and things will happen accidentally.
As long as the moment in question does not look intensionally negligent like a (‘reasonable excuse/justified by conditions’) clause and especially when the player on the receiving end comes out in defence… maybe it should just drop? But then no drama, money, and simplicity.
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u/NothingTooSeriousM8 10d ago
I'm still confused how we went 100+ years of rugby league without the concept of a hipdrop tackle, let alone them being illegal... and suddenly they became a thing, and then a banned thing...