1930 Illegal Use Of Hands

The different blocks at that time which needed to be practiced during a daily practice are as follows: Right and left shoulder block, combination hard?shoulder block (double team or combo), cross?body block or Indian block, check block (zone), head?on, combination "break", side?swipe (leg whip), roll, side?flying block, and running side-body block. On an average coaches taught thirteen different run blocks (this does not include pass blocking technique).

In the 1930's the primary stance being taught to the offensive line was usually the same for all linemen except for the center. The rules provided that both hands, or both feet, or one hand and opposite foot, shall be within one foot of the scrimmage line.

It is important to understand that since the beginning of the establishing of rules that the defense has been able to play with hands and extended arms. This usually gave the defensive linemen advantage when working against the many different blocks of the offensive line.

Having assumed a proper stance, the most important duties of linemen are either to charge and block, and open holes, or to come out of the line and provide interference for the ball carrier.