The Ivy League’s New Practice Rule Could Take Root

Groundbreaking Step Could Redirect the Future of Football Nationwide

A new rule established last week by the Ivy League turned heads across the football landscape. In an effort to reduce concussions, the League mandated that member teams only have two full-contact practices per week during the regular season, or three less than the NCAA allows.  Citing a myriad of studies showing the ill effects of head and brain related injuries in the sport, the Ivy League has taken this seminal step to protect its players.

This proactive move is something which was destined to occur given the wide spread evidence and concern for player safety, but history will show that it was the Ivy League which led the way with its groundbreaking action. Of course, most other college football conferences will take a wait-and-see attitude as they follow the comparative post season results which the Ivy League will surely conduct and publish.  Meanwhile, it is predictable that the rule will influence others, especially high school associations, to follow suit, perhaps to the chagrin and opposition of many coaches. Nevertheless, the movement has begun and it’s likely that an impressive decrease in head injuries will result.  Any decline in head injuries or concussions will put added pressure on decision makers to seriously reconsider their own rules and positions on the matter.

At NSR, we applaud any policy which further insures the well-being of players. Without reservation, we are behind any plan which will permit, if not force, football, as well as other sports, to be safer.