Blocking Techniques

[danny daniel]

In the Dodd era the blocking techniques were shoulder drive blocks (same as today) and cross body blocks using your hips vs shoulder and helmet. If you watch the games from the sixties and seventies you will see very effective cross body blocks completely stopping and tying up defenders (not many wiffs and belly flops). What changed the technique and why?

 

[TheSilasSonRising]

I would venture a guess of bigger, stronger, faster DL. And much faster LB.

 

[alagold]

Using your hands with arms extended to block came in in the 70s and COMPLETELY changed the Off game for sure.

 

[danny daniel]

I would venture a guess of bigger, stronger, faster DL. And much faster LB.

Maybe its the rule change letting you use your hands. In the past the coaching on blocking was "a block is a tackle without the benefit of using your hands".

 

[Oldgoldandwhite]

Holding and rule changes.

 

[GTech63]

Holding and rule changes.

Today it is how to hold and get away with it.