It is one of the most violent, disrespectful, and beautiful sights in modern professional sports. You’ve seen the clip. A defender, usually a Pro Bowl-caliber athlete who has spent his entire life being the strongest guy in the room, closes in on the sideline. He lowers his shoulder, prepares for the impact, and then—thwack.
Derrick Henry’s hand meets the defender’s facemask, and suddenly, the laws of physics seem to glitch.
The defender doesn't just fall. He's launched. He becomes a human projectile, tossed aside like a piece of unwanted mail. The Derrick Henry stiff arm isn't just a football move; it’s a career-altering event.
The Physics of a 247-Pound Hammer
People always ask how he does it. Honestly, a lot of it is just raw geometry mixed with bad intentions. At 6'3" and roughly 250 pounds, Henry is built more like a defensive end than a traditional running back. When he’s at full tilt, he's moving at nearly 22 mph.
If you remember high school physics, $F = ma$. Force equals mass times acceleration.
When Henry extends that arm, he isn't just pushing. He's using an 80-inch wingspan to create a lever. By the time a cornerback like Josh Norman or a safety like Earl Thomas reaches him, Henry has already established a rigid "long arm."
Because his arm is fully locked before impact, the force of his entire body weight—plus his momentum—is transferred directly into the defender's chest or head. The defender is trying to tackle a man; Henry is treating the defender like a stepping stone.
It’s Not Just Strength, It’s Timing
Think about the famous 2020 toss of Josh Norman. That wasn't just a display of "gym strength." Henry waited until the exact micro-second Norman left his feet to initiate contact.
Once a defender is airborne, they have no leverage. No ground force. They are basically just a 200-pound bag of air. Henry knows this. He waits for that moment of vulnerability and then applies the "throw."
The Greatest Hits: More Than Just Highlights
We have to talk about the Earl Thomas play. It’s arguably the most "disrespectful" Derrick Henry stiff arm in the history of the league. During a 2020 playoff game, Henry didn't just stiff-arm the All-Pro safety—he used him as a lead blocker.
- He initiates contact with his left hand.
- He spins Thomas 180 degrees.
- He literally steers Thomas into another Ravens player.
It was a total eclipse of a player's dignity.
Then there was the 99-yard run against the Jaguars back in 2018. If you watch the replay, he doesn't just use one stiff arm. He uses four. Four separate grown men, all professional football players, were shoved into the grass in a single play.
Why the Move is Still Legal
There is always some chatter on social media about whether the Derrick Henry stiff arm should be a penalty. Specifically, people point to the "facemask" rule.
Here is the deal: according to NFL Rule 12, Section 2, Article 14, a runner is allowed to contact a defender’s facemask with a palm, provided they do not "grasp and pull" or "twist" the mask.
Henry is a master of the open-palm strike. He doesn't grab. He shoves.
King Henry’s Longevity in 2026
It’s now 2026, and "The King" is still doing it. Most running backs fall off a cliff at 28. Henry, now 32 and playing for the Baltimore Ravens, just finished a 2025 season where he put up 1,595 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns.
He’s currently sitting at 13,018 career rushing yards. That puts him 10th all-time, right in the neighborhood of legends like Eric Dickerson and Jerome Bettis.
How is he still doing this?
He treats his body like a high-performance machine. We’re talking about a guy who spends thousands of dollars on body work, specialized diets, and a training regimen that would break most humans. But the stiff arm is his "get out of jail free" card. Even as his top-end speed eventually (maybe) begins to dip, his arm length doesn't change.
The Psychological Toll
Defenders play differently when they face him. You can see it on the film. They hesitate.
Normally, a safety wants to come downhill and "decleat" a runner. Against Henry, they start to chop their feet. They try to figure out a way to get low without getting their head shoved into the dirt. That hesitation is all Henry needs.
If you hesitate for half a second against a guy who has 122 career rushing touchdowns, you’ve already lost.
Lessons for Young Runners
If you’re a high school or college back trying to replicate the Derrick Henry stiff arm, you need to focus on three specific things that Henry does better than anyone else.
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- The Punch: Don't just leave your arm out there like a wet noodle. It’s a strike. You want to meet the defender before they meet you.
- The Eyes: Notice where Henry looks. He isn't looking at the guy he's hitting. He’s looking 10 yards downfield at the next level of the defense.
- The Feet: The stiff arm only works if your legs keep churning. The moment your feet stop, the defender’s weight will collapse your arm.
What’s Next for The King?
As we head into the 2026 playoffs, all eyes are on whether Henry can finally add another Super Bowl ring to his Hall of Fame resume. He’s already the active leader in career yards. He’s already proven the doubters wrong about his age.
Watch the next Ravens game. Pay attention to the first time a defensive back tries to tackle him high on the sideline. You’ll see the arm go out, the palm connect, and another defender wonder why he chose this career path.
To truly understand the impact, go back and watch the 2024 game against the Bills where he jabbed Cole Bishop into the turf. It was his first "monster" move as a Raven. It set the tone for the rest of his tenure in Baltimore.
The move hasn't aged. If anything, it’s become more refined.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Players:
- For Players: Work on your "long-arm" strength in the weight room. Tricep extensions and landmine presses are key for generating that shoving power.
- For Coaches: Teach runners to target the "chest plate" if the facemask feels too risky for a penalty call.
- For Fans: Watch Henry’s lead foot. He always plants the foot opposite of his stiff-arm hand to create a solid base of power.