High School Football Rule Changes

Hanover: In the last few years football at all levels has undergone slight changes that have made a heavy impact on the game. In the last decade, there has been many rule changes to attempt to make football safer. Calls like targeting and helmet to helmet contact are becoming much more frequent. Unfortunately, I believe we have reached the point where the changes are beginning to ruin the sport.

For instance, in 2012 a rule was passed that players could no longer hurdle, (a juke move where the ball carrier jumps clear over the defender). This rule was implemented because people see it as dangerous to the ball carrier. When players hurdle they are temporarily defenseless and vulnerable. The new rule states that anyone who hurdles a standing defender will have a 15-yard penalty given to their team. The issue I have with this rule is that players are often defenseless in football, and penalizing players for doing what they have been taught will ruin the game. Anytime a quarterback drops back he could be hit from any angle. Are we going to stop rushing quarterbacks? Anytime a ball carrier cuts back he knows he could get hit. There should always be that aspect in football. Otherwise, players will soften and defense will be nonexistent. You won’t see any more big hits on receivers, no more blindside qb sacks, no more crackback blocks, and barely any big hits that aren’t followed up with a flag.

As football players, we know what we have signed up for. We know we could get seriously injured on every given play. But that’s what makes football so great. The toughness aspect of football is what keeps fans flooding into Randy Baughman Stadium every Friday night. Those big hits, and flying hurdles are what keeps the fans interested. Football is like a battle between two teams, and usually, the most physical teams end up winning. I know football is dangerous and I believe in keeping the players as safe as possible. But at what point does it compromise the game?