> Redesign the line of scrimmage.

What are your thoughts on how to redesign the line of scrimmage?

kylecazar an hour ago | parent | next [-]

So CTE is not just about concussions but any amount of damage consistently over time that accrues.

Current line of scrimmage situation is the worst case scenario. Linemen are a few feet away from each other and they start from a crouched position. They explode up and hit the opposing line, very often with their helmet/crown, down after down, 60-70 times a game. You could not plan a better way to get CTE.

1) Neutral zone at the line, they start 2 yards away from each other.

2) Have to start from standing position, and/or:

3) First contact has to be arms

It would be a bit of an adjustment like it was for dynamic kickoff. But the juice would be worth the squeeze. You're never going to stop all head trauma in a contact sport but the mechanics of the line positions are basically designed for it.

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bena 24 minutes ago | parent [-]

What about the ball? Would the offense effectively lose a yard every play?

Or would the center be at the ball and do a short long snap to the backfield?

What would be considered a "standing position"? I guess both feet on the ground, can't use hands or arms to brace against the ground or self.

	▲	kylecazar 8 minutes ago \| parent [-]
		Similar to the CFL. Offense lines up per usual with the ball. Defense is pushed back 1 or 1.5 yards (2 is probably excessive) and can enter the zone the second ball is snapped. There are some side effects (goodbye tush push) but it drastically reduces helmet contact for those 8-10 players every down. And indeed, disallowing brace against ground is all you'd need to get the standing result.

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butlike an hour ago | parent | prev [-]

Not the OP but I don't think you can. The issue is you're stopping a moving object with your body. That is always going to cause damage. I think the armor itself also promotes big hits. I truly think that's the reason Rugby is a safer game; the hits are more painful, and you're not hitting each other with a carbon fiber helmet.

	▲	brianwawok an hour ago \| parent [-]
		So.. NFL but remove all padding?