A once popular drill known as the Oklahoma drill was officially banned by the NFL. League officials noticed teams that used this drill consistently had high rates of concussion through training camp. The use of the Oklahoma drill had already declined but teams like the Detroit Lions reportedly still used it last summer.
What is the Oklahoma Drill? Find out for your self in the video below
As seen in the video there is often head to head contact which poses the obvious risk of concussion. Which is why the NFL has banned the drill.
“We saw a certain area at the beginning of training camp where we felt could make greater improvement,” commissioner Roger Goodell told ESPN of the decision. “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.”
This is definitely a great step in attempting to make the sport safer for athletes and decrease the risk of concussion during training camp.
Over the years there has been a much greater focus on concussion awareness and protocol in not only football but other contact sports. There have been headline movies like Will Smith’s Concussion. Hopefully these initiatives continue in order to better protect athletes.
