NFL asks groups to cease Oklahoma drill, others
Kevin SeifertNFL Nation
CloseESPN.com nationwide NFL author
ESPN.com NFC North reporter, 2008-2013
Coated Vikings for Minneapolis Star Tribune, 1999-2008
The NFL has requested groups to remove some high-impact drills — together with the long-lasting Oklahoma drill — from coaching camp practices as a part of the league’s ongoing effort to cut back concussion numbers.
The league acknowledged the request Tuesday throughout its spring assembly in Key Biscayne, Florida. The advice got here in response to information that confirmed a excessive fee of concussions throughout the early a part of coaching camp lately. The league convened an April 17 assembly amongst present and former NFL gamers, coaches and executives to debate ways in which would handle the difficulty.
Banning sure drills was among the many group’s suggestions.
1 Associated
The Oklahoma drill, amongst others, has been used far much less incessantly lately, however its historical past is rooted in reacquainting gamers with full contact after the offseason.
It pits a defender towards a blocker who’s attempting to make room for a ball provider. Teammates and coaches often encompass the drill space to create a battle-type ambiance.
In 2015, New England Patriots coach Invoice Belichick stated that the drill shortly solutions essentially the most important questions in soccer: “Who’s a person? Who’s robust? Who’s going to hit any individual?”
Yr-over-year reported concussions dropped 25 p.c in 2018 following a “name to motion” by chief medical officer Allen Sills.
The league joined the NFL Gamers Affiliation to supply a three-part concussion-reduction technique: prohibiting underperforming helmet fashions, instituting a collection of rule modifications rooted in biomechanical analysis, and intervening in early coaching camp practices.
That preliminary camp intervention failed to alter the numbers, resulting in the April 17 assembly.