Why is zone blocking not illegal?

The Dude · 08-21-2012, 10:37 PM

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?

|Mitch| · 08-21-2012, 10:40 PM

Are you getting zone blocking and chop blocking confused?

Zone blocking is a technique in American football that is a simple and effective scheme for creating lanes for running plays.
In a zone blocking scheme, fleet-footedness and athletic ability trump size as desirable qualities in offensive linemen. Coordination and technique matter more than muscle in implementing a successful scheme because defensive linemen are often double-teamed at the point of attack. In this blocking scheme which takes much from the Veer blocking system, creating movement on the defensive line is more important than opening a specific hole in the defense.

Zone blocking - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Dude · 08-21-2012, 10:54 PM

Originally Posted by |Mitch|

Are you getting zone blocking and chop blocking confused?

Zone blocking - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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

|Mitch| · 08-21-2012, 11:06 PM

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...

The Dude · 08-21-2012, 11:08 PM

Originally Posted by |Mitch|

Did you 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...

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.

|Mitch| · 08-21-2012, 11:12 PM

Originally Posted by The Dude

Yea I read it

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

The linemen of some teams that use zone blocking schemes have been criticized for their penchant for cut blocking the knees of defenders, sometimes away from the play. Cut blocks are illegal when a defensive player is engaged by another offensive player. Although some consider the technique unsportsmanlike because of the risk of serious injury, when taught and applied correctly it is a very effective tactic. In fact, some defensive players employ the technique to eliminate blockers so other defenders can make the tackle.

cut blocks = chop blocks

TheOak · 08-22-2012, 07:01 AM

I do not understand...

These are illegal?

Glad I bought mine while I could.

Rugby Saint II · 08-22-2012, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by x626xBlack

I do not understand...

These are illegal?

Glad I bought mine while I could.

Maybe it's because they hold bacteria.

TheOak · 08-23-2012, 06:37 AM

Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II

Maybe it's because they hold bacteria.

Which would explain LeCharles Bentley's staff infection.

Seer1 · 08-22-2012, 07:10 AM

Great thread! This was Shanahan's bread and butter for a few years. It made some average running backs look real good. Say what you want about Elway, it was the blocking scheme that got him his rings. Kubiack took it with him to Houston and has evolved it there. While still fairly effective, like all things the other side figures out how to counter it and it loses its overwhelming advantage. Just looking at Denver's history, I'd almost say that it leads to running back injuries more than any position on the defense although I have nothing solid to back that up. Just none of the RB's lasted very long there and did nothing when moving to a different team. The defense hates it most because it makes them look stupid when it works.

08-21-2012, 10:37 PM	#1
The Dude 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 9,055	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?
The Dude 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 9,055

08-21-2012, 10:40 PM	#2
\|Mitch\| 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alexandria, La Posts: 11,303	Re: Why is zone blocking not illegal? Are you getting zone blocking and chop blocking confused? Zone blocking is a technique in American football that is a simple and effective scheme for creating lanes for running plays. In a zone blocking scheme, fleet-footedness and athletic ability trump size as desirable qualities in offensive linemen. Coordination and technique matter more than muscle in implementing a successful scheme because defensive linemen are often double-teamed at the point of attack. In this blocking scheme which takes much from the Veer blocking system, creating movement on the defensive line is more important than opening a specific hole in the defense. Zone blocking - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
	Last edited by \|Mitch\|; 08-21-2012 at 10:43 PM..

08-21-2012, 10:54 PM	#3
The Dude 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 9,055	Re: Why is zone blocking not illegal? Originally Posted by \|Mitch\| Are you getting zone blocking and chop blocking confused? Zone blocking - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 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
The Dude 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 9,055

08-21-2012, 11:06 PM	#4
\|Mitch\| 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alexandria, La Posts: 11,303	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... pherein likes this.

08-21-2012, 11:08 PM	#5
The Dude 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 9,055	Re: Why is zone blocking not illegal? Originally Posted by \|Mitch\| Did you 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... 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.
The Dude 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 9,055

08-21-2012, 11:12 PM	#6
\|Mitch\| 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alexandria, La Posts: 11,303	Re: Why is zone blocking not illegal? Originally Posted by The Dude Yea I read it If you would have read it you would have read this: The linemen of some teams that use zone blocking schemes have been criticized for their penchant for cut blocking the knees of defenders, sometimes away from the play. Cut blocks are illegal when a defensive player is engaged by another offensive player. Although some consider the technique unsportsmanlike because of the risk of serious injury, when taught and applied correctly it is a very effective tactic. In fact, some defensive players employ the technique to eliminate blockers so other defenders can make the tackle. cut blocks = chop blocks
	Last edited by \|Mitch\|; 08-21-2012 at 11:16 PM..

08-22-2012, 07:01 AM	#7
TheOak 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Cypress Tx. Posts: 19,039	Re: Why is zone blocking not illegal? I do not understand... These are illegal? Glad I bought mine while I could. saintfan and pherein like this.

08-22-2012, 12:33 PM	#8
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 24,119	Re: Why is zone blocking not illegal? Originally Posted by x626xBlack I do not understand... These are illegal? Glad I bought mine while I could. Maybe it's because they hold bacteria.

08-23-2012, 06:37 AM	#9
TheOak 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Cypress Tx. Posts: 19,039	Re: Why is zone blocking not illegal? Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II Maybe it's because they hold bacteria. Which would explain LeCharles Bentley's staff infection.

08-22-2012, 07:10 AM	#10
Seer1 Site Donor Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Bayou Bayfield CO Posts: 4,722	Re: Why is zone blocking not illegal? Great thread! This was Shanahan's bread and butter for a few years. It made some average running backs look real good. Say what you want about Elway, it was the blocking scheme that got him his rings. Kubiack took it with him to Houston and has evolved it there. While still fairly effective, like all things the other side figures out how to counter it and it loses its overwhelming advantage. Just looking at Denver's history, I'd almost say that it leads to running back injuries more than any position on the defense although I have nothing solid to back that up. Just none of the RB's lasted very long there and did nothing when moving to a different team. The defense hates it most because it makes them look stupid when it works.
	; Your story isn't over yet ;

LinkBacks (?) LinkBack to this Thread: https://blackandgold.com/saints/48661-why-zone-blocking-not-illegal.html
Posted By	For	Type	Date	Hits
Why is zone blocking not illegal?	This thread	Refback	08-21-2012 11:24 PM	3