Why is zone blocking not illegal?
 

From an injury standpoint it is very dangerous and this is well known. Why is it still allowed?...........Also why don't we use it?

Re: Why is zone blocking not illegal?
 

Are you getting zone blocking and chop blocking confused?

Zone blocking - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Re: Why is zone blocking not illegal?
 

No. I keep hearing people say they don't like the Texans because they incorporate zone blocking which from what I understand is kind of rolling at a lineman's legs and knees. It can cause injury like torn ACLs and ****. I remember hearing the same thing about a couple of other teams who do this.

Zone blocking - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Re: Why is zone blocking not illegal?
 

Did you even read the article?

All zone blocking is creating movement on the defensive line is more important than opening a specific hole in the defense.

That's like saying the 3-4 should be illegal because 4 linebackers cause more of an injury risk to running backs...

Re: Why is zone blocking not illegal?
 

Yea I read it, but all I keep hearing is that it leads to more injuries and Im positive its not chop blocking and was wondering why.

Re: Why is zone blocking not illegal?
 

If you would have read it you would have read this:

cut blocks = chop blocks

Re: Why is zone blocking not illegal?
 

That is not correct. A cut block is a legal block aimed at a defensive players legs, prefferably his thighs. A chop block on the other hand is illegal and consist of on guy blocking a defender high while the other guy blocks him low. This is also commonly referred to as a "high-low" and carries a great risk of injury.

Here is a good example of a chop-block:

This is a good example of a cut block. You can see the center moving towards the defender but never engaging him. It leaves the LG blocking the DT, a perfctly legal block.


And lastly is a pretty good clip of Zone blocking.

Zone blocking don't have to incorporate cut blocks at all. The U15 team I coach run a lot of zone and in our age group cut blocks are banned. Zone blocking is basically just about angles and point of attack. Cut blocking is however easily utilised and very effective in this scheme, especially on the backside of a play which often opes up enormous cut back lanes. Cut blocks are generally frowned upon by defensive players but IMO a great way to balance out the fact that defenders are allowed to grabb and pull with their hands.

Re: Why is zone blocking not illegal?
 

gotcha.

Re: Why is zone blocking not illegal?
 

Yea I didn't think a chop block was legal.

Re: Why is zone blocking not illegal?
 

Good explanation of zone blocking. Forgive that its offense, same principle.
ESPN.com: NCF - Football 101: Zone blocking

What they might be mad at is zone blocking exposes the weak side. Its designed that way. So knees and ribs end up taking more a pounding if the other team does not call the correct counter play. From how I understand it.
I dont know if there are more injuries that come from it, but it is designed to not take ppl head on , hit them on the side together, and move them to disrupt other players. But Im positive players get hurt more from being hit on the side of the knee instead of directly on the knee. So, it wouldn't surprise me if zone blocking caused more injuries.