The NFL's War On Butts: The 'Tush Push' Lives On

Chloe Fitzgerald

5 min read

Post on May 23, 2025

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The Mechanics of the 'Tush Push' and its Effectiveness

The "tush push," also sometimes referred to as a butt push or posterior push, is a subtle yet highly effective illegal blocking technique. It involves an offensive lineman using their hand or forearm to push off the buttocks of a defensive lineman, gaining an unfair advantage in leverage. The act itself is often incredibly brief and nearly imperceptible to the naked eye, especially in the fast-paced environment of an NFL game. This subtle nature is precisely what makes it so difficult to officiate.

Why does it work so well? The biomechanics are simple yet powerful. By pushing off the opponent's buttocks, the offensive lineman shifts their center of gravity and creates a significant increase in leverage. This subtle push provides a disproportionate advantage, allowing them to easily overpower their opponent and control the line of scrimmage. This illegal push can significantly impact the outcome of a play.

• Creates an unfair advantage in pass protection: The extra leverage allows offensive linemen to more effectively neutralize pass rushers, giving the quarterback more time to throw.
• Improves running lane creation: The "tush push" helps create wider running lanes for running backs, leading to more successful rushing attempts.
• Difficult to identify from traditional officiating angles: The speed and physicality of the game, combined with the subtle nature of the push, makes it challenging for referees to identify this infraction from their usual viewing angles. Often, it's only noticeable upon close replay review.

The NFL's Attempts to Eradicate the 'Tush Push'

The NFL has made numerous attempts to crack down on the "tush push," but complete eradication remains elusive. These efforts have encompassed rule changes, increased officiating emphasis, and exploration of technological advancements.

Rule changes targeting illegal pushing have evolved over time, with the league aiming to clarify what constitutes illegal contact and increase the penalties for such infractions. However, the inherent ambiguity in defining the exact point where a legal shove transitions into an illegal "tush push" remains a challenge.

Officiating the "tush push" presents significant difficulties. Referees must make split-second judgments amidst the chaos and physical contact of a live NFL game. Even with slow-motion replays, identifying the illegal push is often problematic due to the speed and intensity of the action. The subtle nature of the technique often makes it indistinguishable from legitimate blocking techniques.

Technological advancements hold potential for improving detection. Enhanced camera angles, improved replay review systems, and even the possibility of utilizing video assistant referees (VAR) could help officials identify these subtle infractions. However, implementing these technologies effectively and reliably during a live game presents logistical and technical challenges.

• Increased emphasis on calling holding penalties: While not directly targeting the "tush push," stricter enforcement of holding penalties aims to indirectly reduce illegal pushing.
• Introduction of stricter interpretations of existing rules: The league has tried to tighten the definitions of illegal contact and enhance the consistency of officiating in this area.
• Limited success in completely eliminating the technique: Despite these efforts, the "tush push" continues to be a persistent problem in the NFL.

The Ongoing Debate and Future Implications

The "tush push" remains a contentious issue, with varying perspectives among players, coaches, and fans. Offensive linemen often view it as a necessary tool for gaining an edge, while defensive linemen understandably see it as an unfair advantage. Coaches, meanwhile, must navigate the ethical and strategic implications of teaching and utilizing – or countering – the technique.

The debate centers on the fairness and sporting nature of the "tush push." Some argue that it is a part of the game's inherent physicality, while others contend that it represents an illegal and unsportsmanlike act that needs stricter enforcement. This ongoing discussion highlights the need for more clarity and consistency in officiating.

The future of officiating in the NFL likely involves increased reliance on technology and improved training for referees. Advancements in replay technology and the potential use of VAR could significantly improve detection rates. However, it's equally important to provide referees with more detailed training and guidelines to better identify and penalize this subtle, yet significant, infraction.

• Debate over the fairness and sporting nature of the technique: The ethical and competitive implications are heavily debated amongst players, coaches, and fans.
• Discussions about potentially stricter penalties: Some suggest that stiffer penalties are needed to deter the use of the "tush push."
• Exploration of alternative solutions to improve officiating: The NFL continues to explore innovative approaches to officiating, such as improved training and technology.

Conclusion

The NFL's war on butts, specifically the persistent "tush push," highlights a challenging aspect of officiating in a high-contact sport. While the league has made efforts to combat this illegal blocking technique through rule changes, increased officiating emphasis, and exploration of technology, the subtle nature of the “tush push” and the speed of the game continue to hinder effective enforcement. The ongoing debate reflects the complexity of balancing the physicality of the game with fair play and player safety.

What are your thoughts on the NFL’s approach to tackling this controversial tactic? Do you believe technology can provide a definitive solution to the problem of the "tush push"? How can the league further improve officiating to eliminate this unfair advantage? Let's continue the conversation about the NFL’s war on butts and how to definitively deal with the persistent "tush push."