The Detroit Lions have one of the most fearsome defenses in the league under head coach Dan Campbell. Physical, aggressive, and always pressing, the Lions defense has been built around attacking the football and not the ball-carrier.
One such technique that has helped Detroit create turnovers is the punch-out, however, it seems that the NFL has taken notice and sent a memo to the Lions about the dangers of the punch-out play.
The Lions’ physical style of play has sparked debate across the league, with many wondering if the NFL is trying to rein in one of the most effective ways to create turnovers or just simply reminding teams of player safety rules.
Here is what you need to know.
Why Did the NFL Send the Memo?
The NFL sends out weekly memos to all teams reminding them of officiating points of emphasis.
In this case, the league sent out a memo highlighting the dangers of aggressive punch-out plays and reminded teams that the football must always be targeted when attempting to cause a fumble.
The memo was not meant to ban punch-out plays, but rather to ensure that players are making proper contact when attempting to strip the ball carrier of possession.
The Lions, who have made creating turnovers a focal point of their defense, immediately found themselves at the center of the debate after the memo was sent out.
What is a Punch-Out Play?
A punch-out is a defensive technique that is used to cause a fumble by stripping the ball from the opposing ball carrier.
Instead of wrapping up the ball carrier and bringing him down, defenders will look to time their punch to when they are near the ball carrier to knock the ball out of his hands as they make the tackle.
When used correctly, a punch-out can create a forced fumble, shift momentum, and give a team great field position.
As such, the technique has gained popularity across the league as teams look for ways to create turnovers.
Jack Campbell Became the Example
Detroit linebacker Jack Campbell has made a name for himself by always looking to attack the football.
Rather than make the “routine” tackle, Campbell looks to finish every play with a strip of the ball carrier, which has made him the focal point of the NFL’s memo to the Lions.
It should be noted that the memo was not necessarily a rebuke of the Lions’ style of play, but rather a reminder that defenders should make proper contact with the ball and not the player when attempting to cause a fumble.
The Lions Aren’t Backing Down
It was immediately apparent that the Lions would not be changing their style of play after the memo was sent out.
Detroit understands the value of creating turnovers, and as such, their coaching staff will continue to emphasize the need to attack the ball and finish every tackle.
Jack Campbell has also made it known that he has no intention of holding back on his punches to the ball carrier in an effort to strip the ball.
The only change we are likely to see is Campbell and his teammates working on their technique to ensure that they are making proper contact with the ball when attempting to cause a fumble.
Why Are Turnovers So Important?
Defenses in the modern NFL are measured by their ability to create turnovers.
Coaches all over the league are emphasizing the need to get into the end zone, stop opponents in the red zone, apply pressure to opposing quarterbacks, and create explosive plays on defense.
One of the easiest ways to do all of the above is to create a turnover, and more specifically, to cause a forced fumble.
A single turnover can change the momentum of an entire game, as well as shorten fields and put teams in better position to score.
As such, every NFL defense emphasizes ball security and works to ensure that their players are always looking to cause a turnover.
Is the NFL Trying to Ban Punch-Outs?
The NFL is not trying to ban punch-outs, as punching the ball carrier is a completely legal way to cause a turnover.
There is a difference between attacking the ball carrier and attacking the ball itself.
Legal techniques include punching the ball, raking the ball, or stripping the ball carrier of possession.
Illegal techniques include punching the ball carrier in the body or helmet or making any contact with the ball carrier that is not related to the ball itself.
The NFL is not trying to stop teams from using punch-out plays, but rather making sure that defenders are only making legal contact when attempting to cause a turnover.
Why This Story Has Sparked Debate
The story of the NFL sending a memo to the Lions about punch-out plays has sparked debate across the league, as many believe that the NFL is stifling the physical nature of the game.
Some fans believe that the NFL has gone too far in its efforts to protect players, while others believe that player safety should always be the league’s main priority.
Meanwhile, many defensive coaches have said that the memo is simply the NFL doing its job by limiting unnecessary contact between players on plays that do not involve the ball.
The debate has also highlighted the fine line the NFL has to walk when it comes to player safety and the physical nature of the game.
Will This Change Detroit’s Defensive Philosophy?
It is highly unlikely that the memo will have any real effect on how the Detroit Lions play the game, as they have built their defense around aggressive, physical play and creating turnovers.
Rather than change their style of play, it is more likely that Detroit will work on their technique to ensure that their defenders are making proper contact with the ball when attempting to cause a turnover.
Expect the Lions to continue to emphasize the importance of aggressive tackling and attacking the ball carrier throughout the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the NFL send the memo to the Lions?
The memo was sent to the Lions as a reminder that punch-out plays should always target the ball and not the ball carrier.
Are punch-out plays legal?
Yes, punch-out plays are completely legal as long as defenders are making contact with the ball carrier’s body in an effort to strip the ball from him.
Why was Jack Campbell mentioned?
Campbell was mentioned because of his aggressive style of play, which has made him a focal point of the NFL’s memo to the Lions.
Will the Lions stop using punch-out plays?
No, the Lions will continue to use punch-out plays, but they will work on their technique to ensure that they are making proper contact with the ball when attempting to cause a turnover.
Final Thoughts
The news that the NFL sent a memo to the Lions about punch-out plays has sparked debate across the league, as many believe that the NFL is trying to stifle the physical nature of the game.
The memo serves as a reminder to teams that punch-out plays should always target the ball and not the ball carrier, as unnecessary contact between players can lead to injuries.
For the Detroit Lions, the memo has little effect, as they have built their defense around creating turnovers by attacking the ball carrier.
As long as the Lions continue to play aggressively, it is likely that we will continue to see punch-out plays used throughout the season.
