Thread: All blindside blocks prohibited starting in the 2019 season

Beginning this season, as part of a continued emphasis on player safety, all blindside blocks will be illegal. The new rules — proposed and voted on this spring — define a blindside block as when a player initiates a block when he is moving toward or parallel to his own end line and makes forcible contact to his opponent with his helmet, forearm or shoulder. Under previous rules, blindside blocks would have drawn a flag only if it was targeted to the head or neck area of the player receiving the block. According to NFL Football Operations, a third of all concussions suffered by players on punts last season were caused by blindside blocks.

The only time such a block can technically be made is when the block takes place in the tackle box, the area between the offensive tackles, and three yards in front of or behind the line of scrimmage, until the ball leaves that area. Once the ball leaves the tackle box, the box disappears, and any blindside block in that area becomes illegal. The tackle box provision is not actually an exception, but rather an interpretation that there can’t be forcible contact in the confines of the “mixing bowl” that exists around the location of the snap. Additionally, incidental contact (defined as an absence of forcible contact) is also not a foul for a blindside block, even though the other provisions may be present, although it may still be an illegal crackback or peel-back block.

rest - http://www.footballzebras.com/2019/0...e-2019-season/

I had never heard of a double team block penalty called on the return by the Broncos.
Perhaps it’s been around, and seldom called.

Originally Posted by Nomad

I had never heard of a double team block penalty called on the return by the Broncos.
Perhaps it’s been around, and seldom called.

Looks like it was a new rule last year
NFL Approves New Rule Changes For Kickoffs
https://sports.cbslocal.com/2018/05/...-for-kickoffs/

Starting this year it’s a foul in college too, if the block is with “forcible” contact.

What's the reasoning to implement a double blocking penalty? I understand the high/low blocking, but 2 players blocking one? Is this a safety thing? Spare me the unfair advantage thing, if that's the case, then the penalty is retarded....IMO.

Originally Posted by Nomad

What's the reasoning to implement a double blocking penalty? I understand the high/low blocking, but 2 players blocking one? Is this a safety thing? Spare me the unfair advantage thing, if that's the case, then the penalty is retarded....IMO.

It is a safety rule. Even in college if two players form a wedge on a kickoff, it’s a foul even if they don’t hit anybody. There are some exceptions, but I’m too lazy to type them out here. A lot of players got hurt trying to bust the wedges so they’ve now eliminated the wedge.

Originally Posted by spikerman

It is a safety rule. Even in college if two players form a wedge on a kickoff, it’s a foul even if they don’t hit anybody. There are some exceptions, but I’m too lazy to type them out here. A lot of players got hurt trying to bust the wedges so they’ve now eliminated the wedge.

Football is definitely evolving from what I've known.

Originally Posted by Nomad

Football is definitely evolving from what I've known.

True, but if it doesn’t mamas aren’t going to let their kids play anymore. It’s already happening.

Originally Posted by spikerman

True, but if it doesn’t mamas aren’t going to let their kids play anymore. It’s already happening.

Yeah, flag football is the future.

Originally Posted by Nomad

Yeah, flag football is the future.

Nah, just trying to get the game back to what it’s supposed to be. Stay away from the head and don’t needlessly punish the opponent.

Originally Posted by spikerman

Nah, just trying to get the game back to what it’s supposed to be. Stay away from the head and don’t needlessly punish the opponent.

You mean like that hit from the Seahawks defender on one of our Bronco receivers toward the end of the game.

Originally Posted by Nomad

You mean like that hit from the Seahawks defender on one of our Bronco receivers toward the end of the game.

I didn’t get to see the game.

Originally Posted by Nomad

You mean like that hit from the Seahawks defender on one of our Bronco receivers toward the end of the game.

If it was a blindside hit, ball carriers are exempt, at least at the college level.

Originally Posted by spikerman

If it was a blindside hit, ball carriers are exempt, at least at the college level.

You be the judge.
https://www.fieldgulls.com/2019/8/9/...coaching-rules

Originally Posted by Nomad

You be the judge.
https://www.fieldgulls.com/2019/8/9/...coaching-rules

I think in the NFL that’s a foul for a blow to the head and neck area of a defenseless player. In college I don’t think I would have targeting because for targeting you’re looking for certain “indicators” and I didn’t see one there.