The regulation prohibits a player from grabbing an opponent’s hair to bring them down. This constitutes an illegal tackle, resulting in a penalty. An example would be a defensive player tackling the ball carrier by their ponytail during a running play.
This particular rule exists to prioritize player safety and prevent unnecessary injury. It seeks to eliminate a potentially dangerous tackling method, as pulling someone by the hair can lead to neck strain or other related injuries. The enactment and enforcement of the provision highlight the league’s continuing effort to improve on-field safety measures.
