The NFL is asking its member teams to stop using drills that many high school and college teams have already recognized as dangerous.
At its spring meeting Tuesday in Biscayne, Fla., NFL officials responded to data showing increased rates of concussion during the early part of training camp, asking teams to ban a number of high-impact drills, including the iconic Oklahoma drill.
The Oklahoma drill pits a defender against a blocker who is trying to make room for a ball carrier. The drill usually takes place in a circle made up of teammates and coaches. It is typically used at NFL training camps to reintroduce players to full contact after the offseason.
ESPN notes that in 2015, New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick said the drill quickly answers these questions: "Who is a man? Who's tough? Who's going to hit somebody?"
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Commissioner Roger Goodell recognized the concussion data and said he hopes the NFL can lead by example.
"We saw a certain area at the beginning of training camp where we felt could make greater improvement,'' commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday, "and I think removing some of these drills across all 32 teams is the right way to do that. We also believe by prohibiting some of these drills, that will happen at the college and high school and youth football levels, which we believe should happen.''
