What I witnessed last night was a block in front, on a player 2 yards from the ball carrier that got flagged. The person never seen it, but was in position to make the play. What are suppose to do if you are the blocker?

 

As others have said, contact has to be initiated with the hands and arms extended. If you lead with the shoulder, your getting flagged whether your head is in front or not. The rule does require some coaching so the players understand and develop the correct habits, but it does make the game safer.

I think 90% of the time when it's called it's a block in the back. If the blockers head is behind the blockee's shoulder pad, they'll get called for it every time.

 

Those who are saying that the blocker must extend their arms and hands as the first contact are correct. Even if the blocker is able to hit the tackler in the front, square in the numbers. This rule was implemented last season. It is still hard for a player to execute.

I get the new rule just don’t see how you can really make that block with your arms extended when the defender is running full speed with some size on him. To me there’s a greater chance of breaking your wrist or arms. You almost have to let the defender run you over in that situation.

It’s not nearly as difficult as it appears. You basically cannot lead with the shoulder. It’s not really dangerous to the blocker. You can still deliver a pretty good shot with open hands. Heck OL guys do it all the time. There are other alternatives to the open hand which one can use and not get a flag. I will say that the rule is not enforced very well in certain areas of the state.

I get the new rule just don’t see how you can really make that block with your arms extended when the defender is running full speed with some size on him. To me there’s a greater chance of breaking your wrist or arms. You almost have to let the defender run you over in that situation.

 

It’s not that difficult or dangerous. The blocker isn’t making contact with his arms locked and extended. Get in good position, and instead of lowering the shoulder (and bringing the head into play) you basically deliver the blow while extending the arms. It’s every bit as effective on a player that’s not looking and a lot safer. Watch NFL lineman on screen plays...they execute this block all the time.

This is one of the best recent rule changes IMO. I feel like more often than not a blind side hit is not much different than a cheap shot. You can even set up this hit. Cov Cath, and I am sure other teams as well, had a play that created a blind side hit opportunity. They would run their jet sweep. At the snap they would bring their opposite side WR down the line to block the defensive end. The end is focused on the runner coming from the opposite side on the jet sweep. Easy blind side block opportunity every time and I saw hit some big blind side hits off that play. Fans get pumped up because it is a big hit but it really isn't that great of a play by the blocker. Easy pickins'. It really is a safety issue and with safety more important than ever to preserve football, this rule change was much needed.

If the player doesn’t see you coming, the hit has to be initiated with open hands. Otherwise it’s a flag.

This will soon prove problematic....because if you hurt your hands you won't be able to pull the flags off the ball carrier (next rule change).

It's a simple matter of physics. Extended arms and hands do not have the same force as shoulder and torso. It makes the block less effective and there will be more failed blocks. It is safer for the would-be tackler. It is less safe for the ball carrier who will be more likely to get tackled from behind. I am not in favor of the change but I have already lost this argument. The rule is here and it ain't going away.

It's a simple matter of physics. Extended arms and hands do not have the same force as shoulder and torso. It makes the block less effective and there will be more failed blocks. It is safer for the would-be tackler. It is less safe for the ball carrier who will be more likely to get tackled from behind. I am not in favor of the change but I have already lost this argument. The rule is here and it ain't going away.

 

If a guy isn’t looking, and doesn’t see it coming, how much force do you need? Yes, this eliminates the big de-cleating blocks, and the silly phrase coaches use (“gotta keep your head on a swivel) to justify a cheap shot. I’ve seen too many guys get needlessly hurt on this play over the years. It’s a good rule, that makes the game safer for everybody.

It is physics that often these blocks are made at an angle by the one doing the blocking. (I’m not saying as a sly comment in regards to the early post). The angle in fact increases the amount of force generated a great deal. Depending on the angle you increase the force up to about 3 times. It’s one reason angle blocks (down and trap/kick out) are used so much by smaller OL. The blocker is using his legs to generate the force up and through at another angle. This often results in making contact with the chest and the arms extending up and out almost like an incline bench press.