Post by Coach Campbell on Nov 3, 2011 7:35:07 GMT
THE HISTORY OF OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
BY COACH JERRY CAMPBELL
In his book The Story of Football (1965), Robert Leckie points out that in the 1870's, one last bottleneck remained to be opened before football could become inimitable American. It concurred the "offside". The word, as used at that time, did not apply to the present violation occurring when a man on either team crosses into enemy territory before the ball is snapped. Instead it was a word the British used to describe a player who got ahead of his own ball carrier or kicker. It is what Americans now call blocking or interference. Tactics which were highly illegal in the early Rugby days (Leckie, 1965). The American's liked the idea of helping the ball carrier along. They often bumped into opposing player as though by accident. In 1879, Princeton used two players to escort the ball carrier during a game against Harvard, thus, the offensive line gets its start (Leckie, 1965).
If so how because one of the offensive forwards in a scrimmage was allowed to pass the ball back with his foot, he became known as the "snapperback." Later, because he played in the center of seven forwards or "rushers", he became known as the "center". Since the defensive rushers were permitted to attack him as he passed the ball with his foot actually squirting it back by sudden pressure on its end he needed protection from his own rushers at either side of him. Because, in effect they "guarded" the center, they became known as guards. It was inevitable, of course, that the rushers at either extreme would be called "end men" and then simply ends, And because the men between the ends and the guards had the best position for making tackles, the eventually earned the name of tackle (Leckie, 1965). Offensive line play, as spelled out in American Football and told by Walter Camp (1891), would consist of seven positions: a Center or Snap? Back, two Guards, two Tackles and two Ends (p. 22).
In, The History of American Football (1956), Allison Danzig that in 1880, the rugby scrimmage became scrimmage and the quarterback made his appearance with a new method of putting the ball into play. Instead of the ball being tossed in between two packs of rushers, or forwards, who sought to heel it out (hit it backward with the heel) to their own back in the rugby "scrum", the procedure of a scrimmage was adopted for putting the ball into play. This procedure was accomplished by the snap? Back or center (Danzig, 1956). In its early days of interference, players were permitted to grab hold of their runners anywhere they could and pull, push or yank the ball carrier along in any direction that would make the ball advance. In a rule established in 1876, stated that holding, carrying, and backward passing of the football would be
permitted; this led to rushing as opposed to soccer. In Football Facts and Figures (1945), Dr. L.H. Baker, wrote that Princeton, in 1879, was the first team to use interference with the ball carrier, but here the interferes were located on each side and not in front of the ball carrier (1879 Interference is legalized). This was called "guarding the runner". Since little was known about it, the use of interference was carried on in a desultory way, and to avoid possible penalty complications, interferers did not use their hands and arms. It was not until 1884 that interferes would be sent ahead of the ball (Baker, 1945). is hands or arms. According to Walter Camp in his book American Football (1891), offensive lineman should possess certain qualities because, during that time, football players would play both offense and defense. In the early years of football, the qualities that a coach should look for in a football player were as follows: The End or Rusher The end rusher must get into condition early. Unless the end rusher does, he cannot handle the work that must fan to his share, and the effect of a poor performance by the end is to produce disorder at once in the proportion of work of the tackles and halfbacks. When his own side has possession of the ball, his play, like that of any other man, must be governed by the character of the intended move, and the knowledge of what this move will be is conveyed to him by the signal. The nearer the play is to the end, the greater is the assistance he can render. There is no limit to the amount of work an end may perform in this direction. A good end should be able to toss his man back so that he cannot interfere with the play. The end is responsible for the area from the outside of the line to the sideline to the touch line. (Camp, 1891, p. 43) The Tackle While blocking may not be the most important duty; it is certainly the one which will bear the most cultivation in the tackles of the present day, for the ones who are really adept in it are marked exceptions to the general ran. The real accomplishment of a tackle depends upon the man's unflagging perseverance and study. A good defensive lineman cannot possibly be blocked every time in the same way, a good defensive lineman will soon become aware of the method and will be able to avoid the attempt. Dashing violently against a defensive lineman just as he is starting to work once or twice, and then he will make a false start to draw this charge and easily slip by the man. In blocking for a run, the case is very different and depends upon the point of assault. If the run is to be made around the right end, for instance, by the left halfback, the right tackle must block very slowly and long. That is, he must not dash up to his man the instant the ball is snapped and butt him aside, for the runner will not be near enough to derive any advantage from this, and the opponent and runner until the latter puts on steam to circle, when it his duty to engage his man sharply, and thus let the runner pass. In blocking for an inside run upon his own side, he should turn his man out or in, as the case may be just as the runner reaches the opening, being particularly careful not to make the break to early, lest the opponent reach the runner before he comes to the opening (Camp, 1891, p. 34). The Guard A man, who is slow, while it requires less agility than that of the tackle, can never satisfactorily fill the position of guard. When his own side has the ball the guard must block sharply until the quarter has time for receiving the ball, and, at any rate, to begin the motion of the pass. The blocking of a guard is much less exciting in its requirements than that of the tackle. Not that he must not block with equal certainty, but the act requires no such covering of two men as often happens in the case of a tackle. The guard forms closely towards the center, and then follows his man out if he moves out, but only as far as he can go, and still be absolutely certain that the opponent cannot pass between him and the snap? back. When blocking for a run, (of course much depends upon where the opening is to be made), and a guard must be governed accordingly. A guard may not move about so freely and must face his man more squarely then a tackle, for the guard must protect the quarterback first, while the tackle considers the half only. Previous to the snapback's playing the ball, it is the duty of the guards to see that their individual
opponents do not succeed in either kicking the ball out from the snap? back's hand or otherwise interfering with the play. This is quite an important feature, and a center should always feel that he is upon either hand a steady and wide-awake assistant who will neither be caught napping nor allow any unfair advantage to be taken of him (Camp, p. 26).
The Center or Snap? Back The man who may be selected to fill the important position of center-rush must be a man of sense and strength. Brain and brawn are here at their highest premium. Putting the ball into play at the right time, and properly, is a great achievement, but it does not free the center? rush from all other obligations. During early progress anew snap-back usually sends the ball against his own legs, or, if he manages to keep him out of the way, is upset by his opponent for his pains. It is no child's play to hold a ball out at arm's length on the ground in front of one and roll it back so that it passes between one's feet, and still preserve a good balance in spite of sudden push of a hundred. and eighty-pound opponent. But that is just what a center has to do each time the ball is down and belongs to his side. The first thing to teach a center is to stand on his feet against any amount of jostling. Then he must learn to keep possession of the ball until ready to play it. The most finished and experienced centers have away of playing the ball just as they are half? straightening as though to meet a charge from the front. As to holding the ball, some centers prefer to take it by the end, while others roll it on its side. The ball can be made to rise for the quarterback if sent on end, whereas if played upon its side it lies closer to the ground. A center ought to practice putting the ball into play with either hand until he is fairly proficient with both hands. A coach should see to it that his center has a variety of men to face, some big, some tricky, and some ugly. If any old players come back to help the team in the way of coaching and among them are some counter-rushers, they can do no better work than by donning a uniform and playing against the "Varsity" center. (Camp 1891) As Walter Camp wrote in 1891, a football team for the purpose of advancing the ball or repelling the attack of the opponents it has proved advisable for a Captain to divide his eleven men into general divisions: the forwards (Offensive Line) and backs (Camp, p. 18). In the early years of football the rule that governed the number of players on the line of scrimmage fluctuated; 1895, seven players must be on the line of scrimmage until the ball is snapped; 1896, rule again changes stating at least five players shall be on the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped; 1903, rule changes again state that now the number of players on the line of scrimmage could be either seven or five under certain conditions. Then finally in 1910, the rules committee changes for the last time the number of players on the line of scrimmage to seven prior to the snap of the football. This rule change of 1910 has remained unchanged to the present day. The introduction of the scrimmage line as stated in the book, The History of American Football, Its Great Teams, Players, and Coaches (Danzig, 1956), established the principle of possession of the ball, a tremendously important principle that, more than anything else, differentiates rugby from American football. When in 1880, a new rule is formed stating at least eleven players on a side and a scrimmage line established; the latter change eliminated the rugby scrum and aligned the teams on either side of the ball. Parke Davis wrote of the significance of this change in the 1926 Football Guide. He said, "The most important incident in the evolution of the game in the late eighteen seventies was the introduction of the modem scrimmage in the place of the rugby 'scrum'" (p. 15). The tacticians of the period perceived the vast improvement which could be obtained if a method were established of putting the ball in play that it would give to one side its undisturbed possession and thereby permit a strategic and tactical possession and thereby permit a strategic and tactical preparation to advance it (Davis 1926).
In 1883, four current methods of scoring were written into the rules book, touchdown, point after, field goal and safety. John Heisman, famous coach and one of the inventive minds of football wrote in 1932 in the Yale Princeton football program, "Camp's scrimmage plan gave the ball into possession of the center and he alone could put it into play with a snap-back. This control of the ball made it possible for the offensive team to plan plays in advance, and the use of signals by the quarterback made for better team play". (Davis, 1926)
In 1888 the rules committee established two rules categories which governed how players could block and advance the football: (1) helping runner and using body; and (2) use of hands and arms. These two categories as found in the N.C.A.A. handbook have remained unchanged since 1888 to the present day. In 1888, the rules stated that blocking with extended arms prohibited and holding on offense constitutes loss of ball to opponent. Pop Warner has been given credit by some for being the first to use linemen for interference. He is definitely credited, however, for introducing the Indian block, rather than the shoulder block in 1890. In his letter he said, "if you look at snapshots of football teams of the old days you will note that almost all players are on their feet." That was because in the early days blockers used only their shoulders, seldom leaving their feet. Pop Warner figured that the use of the full length of the body provided a greater blocking surface than just the width of the shoulders, and also made it less likely for a blocker to violate the rules by using the arms and hands, and also made it harder for the defensive man to avoid the block (Danzig, 1956).
The Encyclopedia of Sports (1978) referred to the line blocking of the early days as "Line Charging". Very little scientific thought had been put into that department of play before the dawn of the present century. Nearly all linemen, as a rule, lined up squarely against those who played the same positions on the opposing team. They didn't crouch or squat or play low. They mostly stood bolt upright and fought it out with each other hammer and tongs, tooth and nail, fist and feet. The fact is, you didn't stand much chance of making the line those days unless you were a good wrestler and fair boxer. Certain ingenious plays featured in early day sport were quite as startling and unique as is the forward pass of today. First was the flying wedge, invented in 1892 and brought out by Harvard. Almost every team in the country promptly copied the play. In the flying wedge, however, nine of the players of the team withdrew about 20 yards from midfield and at a signal these nine, in two lanes, started simultaneously and at full speed, converging on a point indicated by the ball. By the time they arrived at the ball, they had worked up a stupendous mass momentum, and the interference they gave for the runner was something wonderful to behold, and terrible to stop.
In 1894 Coach Woodruff, at Penn, drafted the principle of the flying wedge for his famous flying interference, which could be put into operation by the team that had the ball in every scrimmage down. This consisted in starting the tackle and end ahead of the snapping of the ball. They swung back together, between their line and the backfield, and then kept on to reinforce the work of their companion tackle and end, on the other side of the ball. Just before they hit the defensive line the ball went into play, and the results were again almost as disastrous to the defense as was the flying wedge. These two plays were quite as spectacular and thrilling as any that the modem game has produced. So unstoppable were they, however, that the Rules Committee was forced to legislate them out of existence within a few years in order to preserve the proper balance between offense and defense (Encyclopedia of Sports, 1978). In 1896, a rule was established to limit motion to only one player, thus, eliminating brutal momentum plays. Glenn Scobey Warner stated in his book, Football for Coaches and Players (1927) that ball carriers cannot gain ground, no matter how clever they may be, if the opponents are not blocked out of the path of the runner, whereas a good blocking and interfering team can gain ground consistently with mediocre ball carriers. In the early days of the game all blocking and interfering was done with the shoulder and interferers
seldom left their feet, but in recent years the body or Indian block, so named because the Carlisle Indians were the first to adopt it (Warner, 1927). The following diagrams are of a Line Charging Sled. In 1906, the forward pass is legalized. This was the most important of all rule changes since 1876. It gave football the balance between offense and defense and reduced the importance of kicking and rushing. One of the primary reasons that the forward pass was legalized was intended to reduce deaths and brutal injuries. Also, in 1906 and 1912, 10 yards for a first down, plus a fourth down to make a first was implemented. The change to 10 yards came in 1906, the fourth down in 1912, to encourage the offensive game. In 1930 and 1931, as the technique of offensive line play progressed additional adaptations and techniques were added to conform to the new rule changes, which were established during that time period.
In 1930, according to the rule under the category of hands and arms, illegal use of hands and arms by the team with possession of the football is prohibited. Such holding and use of hands and arms includes: · grasping an opponent with hands and arms, · placing hands upon an opponent to push him away from play, · with arm encircling in any degree any part of the opponent, and · in blocking, using arms in any way to lift an opponent. In 1931,according to the rule of helping the runner and using the body, no player of the team in possession of the ball might help the runner except by interfering for him, and there should be no interlocked interference. The rule regarding hand and arms stipulated that the runner might ward off opponents with his hands and arms, but no other player of the team in possession of the ball might use his hand(s) or arm(s) to obstruct an opponent unless the hands were close to the body. Bernard Oakes, in his book, Football Line Play for Players and Coaches (1932), stated that in developing the offensive charge, a charge must be developed before any specific methods of blocking are taught. The offensive linemen must have a quick, hard and sustained charge. All the speed, power, and drive of a well-trained physique is put into the first step. The first step counts most. The head and shoulders are dipped slightly as the first step is taken to insure getting low contact on the opponent and to avoid his hands. The arms should be snapped up under the chest. The palms of the hands should be down rather than up, or with the thumbs of each hand touching the chest. This position and twisting of the forearms will make them more rigid. The elbows should be extended and tensed, increasing the blocking width of the shoulders and the arms not allowed to drop back loosely to the sides. The hands and forearms should touch the chest to conform to the rule stating that the hand or hands must be in contact with the body (1932).
In his book Winning Football: Strategy, Psychology and Technique, B.W. "Bernie" Bierman (1937) pointed out that offensive lineman need to run or move in predetermined set patterns. Football is essentially a game of precision. Let the blockers move a few feet away from the path laid out for them on a certain play, and a defensive man is certain to leak through and perhaps make the play for a loss. This alone shows how important running or movement is. While details vary, the ultimate objective of blocking is two things. The blocker either drives an opponent out of position to create a running lane or he prevents an opponent from moving into the ball carriers path. Any person knows that the most natural way to push or hold a person is by using the hands and arms. Every football fan knows, however, that use of the hands and arms constitutes offensive holding in football and calls for penalties that have been the heart break of more than one crucial game (Bierman, 1937).
William Glenn Kinninger, in his book FOOTBALL, (1939) stated that in the parlance of the football field it is often said that the game is won "up front". This means, and it is almost a football axiom, that the team with the most powerful and best-coached line generally wins the game. Efficient offensive line play is based on expert blocking and blocking is the very essence of offensive football (Killinger, 1939). Further, to this issue, a coaching point was used that offensive lineman play from a stance, play with their knuckles on the ground rather than fingertips assisting in maintaining proper equilibrium. This not only provides stability, but also protects the fingers from injury (Killinger, 1939). It is important for linemen to practice their skills on a daily basis because, it is natural for linemen to want to use their hands when confronted by an opponent, but the rules do not permit the use of hands by the offense. Thus, in order to make blocking habitual without illegal use of hands it must be practiced (Killinger, 1939). In the early 1900's many different styles of blocks were devised in order to advance the football. Since, hands and extended arms were illegal, blocking technique focused on the use of head, face, neck, shoulder, body, hips, and legs. Thus, in order to effectively teach the many different blocks, many hours each week would be needed to practice these skills. 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. The most common fault of linemen, blocking in the line, was that they had a tendency to charge too high and did not keep underneath their man, and they did not follow through (a common mistake still being made with today's linemen). It was the duty for an offensive lineman executing one of his many blocks to always sustain his block and work towards maintaining close contact (no separation) with the defensive linemen. Against standing defensive linemen, the offensive linemen needed to work under the extended arms of their opponents to prevent being knocked backward or held off by their opponents' stiff? arm charge. In 1930 two coaches, Robert C. Supple and Milton M. Oleander from the University of Illinois published Coaching Football, the Illinois System of Offensive Line Attack. In their book they stated: bring the best blockers adjacent to each other for cooperative action. If the offensive linemen are grouped so that the same men always find themselves shoulder to shoulder, a better organized and a more polished attack will result. The team that controls the first yard beyond the line of scrimmage, all other things being equal, should win (p. 168). In 1932 Bernard F. Oakes, Head Football Coach, Crinnell College, wrote in his book: Football Line Play for Players and Coaches that a compact line contracts the defensive line and vice versa, a wide spread line expands the defensive line. In order to have a strong plunging and running attack it is advantageous to have the offensive line well spread. This can be accomplished to a surprising degree by merely having the offensive linemen take a wide stance of the feet. Such a stance also gives the individual linemen a better-balanced base from which to work. It does not restrict the possibilities of his action in using various charges or blocks by cramping him to a narrow confined space such as he must work in with a tight line.
There are certain advantages presented by spreading the defensive line. The distance between the individual defensive players is increased and thus the offensive linemen have an advantage over the defensive players as the hole designated by the play called is already partially opened for them. Plays going through the line are often stopped by a defensive player who is partially blocked, but who is close enough to reach the runner with his hands and grab him or some part of his uniform. There is less chance of this happening if the individual defensive linemen are spread (Oakes, 1932). Oakes also stated that before any specific methods of blocking are taught a charge must be developed. The offensive linemen must have a quick, hard and sustained charge. He must keep his balance and not stumble. The offensive charge is made in an unnatural position. It is natural for a man to run high, although he can exert more straight ahead driving power by running low. Consequently, a great deal of practice is necessary to keep the men low and to get the greatest power out of the shortest run. In producing a good charge, the first step counts most. The head and shoulders are dipped slightly as the first step is taken to insure getting low contact on the opponent to avoid his hands. The arms should be snapped up under the chest. The palms of the hands should be down rather than up, or with the thumbs of each hand touching the chest. This position and twisting of the forearms will make them more rigid. The elbows should be extended and tensed, increasing the blocking width of the shoulders and the arms not allowed to drop back loosely to the sides. The hands and forearms should touch the chest to conform to the rule stating that the hand or hands must be in contact with the body. The head should be up, so the top of the forehead would strike an opponent if met head on, and the neck drawn in and tensed, bull-like. Eyes should not be closed, but focused on the opponent's legs or feet. Extending the elbows in charging gives beneficial results other than that of increasing the blocking width of the shoulders (Oaks 1932). In 1946, hands and arms rule was redefined to read: Use of locked hands, regardless of position of hands is illegal if used in blocking by player of team with possession of ball. Legal use of hands and arms by team in possession of ball was: a) in shoulder and upper? arm blocking, player, after making legal initial blocking contact may allow his hand or hands to leave his body if defensive man retreats. b) in passive block for protection of kicker, or passer, player may shield his head with his arms, but in no case in such action may he use his hands or arms to strike or punch opponent. c) in side body or crab blocks, arms or hands do not have to be close to body (Oaks, 1932). With the use of hands and arms rule of 1946 being redefined blocking technique begins again to be restructured. In Offensive Football (1947), Louis R. Oshins, assistant football coach, Brooklyn College, state that the basis of every play is blocking. Blocking is an art. It asks an offensive man to forget about his hands, and to remove from the play a man who may use his hands. This gives the defensive player a tremendous advantage. The blocker must use whatever advantages he has. He does know exactly when the ball will be snapped and he can get the jump on his opponent He does know where the play will go and he can get good blocking position. These factors should compensate him adequately for the lack of hand play (Oshins, 1947). Blocks are taught that are never used in a game. They take up the valuable time that might be better spent for perfecting fundamental blocks. There are four important blocks that must be learned. They are the Head Block, Shoulder Block, Body Block, and the Open Field Block. The only difference between the Head Block and the Shoulder Block is in the position of the head. The Head Block calls for driving the head into the opponent's midsection. The Shoulder Block places the head to one side of the opponent in such a manner that it is between him and the ball carrier (Oshins, 1947).
The most perfectly executed blocks are utterly useless unless they are made at the right time. A block that is made too soon is no better than a block made too late, for the man to recover and make the tackle. Blocks may have different functions, which influence the technique and the duration of the block. A "T" formation quick opener does not require a long? sustained block. A spinner play demands that the blocker stay with his opponent. Linemen must know the maneuvers of the backs (in today's game the running backs must know the technique of the offensive lineman) so that they may know which plays are delayed plays that call for longer sustained blocking (Oshins, 1947). During 1949, 1950, and 1952 rules pertaining to the use of hands and arms are redefined. In 1949 under the rule of helping runner and using body, changes to read: while blocking, players feet may leave ground the instant he makes contact with the opponent (Oshins, 1947). Also, in 1949 the hands and anus rule changes: penalty for illegal use of hands and arms, for offensive player, loss of 15 yards from spot of foul. If, to supplement shoulder or chest block, a teammate of runner uses hand or forearm for blocking; chest block, teammate of runner uses hand or forearm for blocking; a) hand must be in contact with body during entire block; b) with crab or body block hands do not have to be in contact with body; c) hands may not be locked during any block (Oshins, 1947). In 1950, the hands and arms rule changed to require the hand must be in contact with body, and hand and arm must be kept below shoulders of opponent during entire block by teammate of runner. Note: If hand or arm of player of offensive team in legal blocking position contacts opponent above shoulder before opponent squats, ducks, or submarines, such contact is not violation if hands and arms are otherwise used (Oshins, 1947
BY COACH JERRY CAMPBELL
In his book The Story of Football (1965), Robert Leckie points out that in the 1870's, one last bottleneck remained to be opened before football could become inimitable American. It concurred the "offside". The word, as used at that time, did not apply to the present violation occurring when a man on either team crosses into enemy territory before the ball is snapped. Instead it was a word the British used to describe a player who got ahead of his own ball carrier or kicker. It is what Americans now call blocking or interference. Tactics which were highly illegal in the early Rugby days (Leckie, 1965). The American's liked the idea of helping the ball carrier along. They often bumped into opposing player as though by accident. In 1879, Princeton used two players to escort the ball carrier during a game against Harvard, thus, the offensive line gets its start (Leckie, 1965).
If so how because one of the offensive forwards in a scrimmage was allowed to pass the ball back with his foot, he became known as the "snapperback." Later, because he played in the center of seven forwards or "rushers", he became known as the "center". Since the defensive rushers were permitted to attack him as he passed the ball with his foot actually squirting it back by sudden pressure on its end he needed protection from his own rushers at either side of him. Because, in effect they "guarded" the center, they became known as guards. It was inevitable, of course, that the rushers at either extreme would be called "end men" and then simply ends, And because the men between the ends and the guards had the best position for making tackles, the eventually earned the name of tackle (Leckie, 1965). Offensive line play, as spelled out in American Football and told by Walter Camp (1891), would consist of seven positions: a Center or Snap? Back, two Guards, two Tackles and two Ends (p. 22).
In, The History of American Football (1956), Allison Danzig that in 1880, the rugby scrimmage became scrimmage and the quarterback made his appearance with a new method of putting the ball into play. Instead of the ball being tossed in between two packs of rushers, or forwards, who sought to heel it out (hit it backward with the heel) to their own back in the rugby "scrum", the procedure of a scrimmage was adopted for putting the ball into play. This procedure was accomplished by the snap? Back or center (Danzig, 1956). In its early days of interference, players were permitted to grab hold of their runners anywhere they could and pull, push or yank the ball carrier along in any direction that would make the ball advance. In a rule established in 1876, stated that holding, carrying, and backward passing of the football would be
permitted; this led to rushing as opposed to soccer. In Football Facts and Figures (1945), Dr. L.H. Baker, wrote that Princeton, in 1879, was the first team to use interference with the ball carrier, but here the interferes were located on each side and not in front of the ball carrier (1879 Interference is legalized). This was called "guarding the runner". Since little was known about it, the use of interference was carried on in a desultory way, and to avoid possible penalty complications, interferers did not use their hands and arms. It was not until 1884 that interferes would be sent ahead of the ball (Baker, 1945). is hands or arms. According to Walter Camp in his book American Football (1891), offensive lineman should possess certain qualities because, during that time, football players would play both offense and defense. In the early years of football, the qualities that a coach should look for in a football player were as follows: The End or Rusher The end rusher must get into condition early. Unless the end rusher does, he cannot handle the work that must fan to his share, and the effect of a poor performance by the end is to produce disorder at once in the proportion of work of the tackles and halfbacks. When his own side has possession of the ball, his play, like that of any other man, must be governed by the character of the intended move, and the knowledge of what this move will be is conveyed to him by the signal. The nearer the play is to the end, the greater is the assistance he can render. There is no limit to the amount of work an end may perform in this direction. A good end should be able to toss his man back so that he cannot interfere with the play. The end is responsible for the area from the outside of the line to the sideline to the touch line. (Camp, 1891, p. 43) The Tackle While blocking may not be the most important duty; it is certainly the one which will bear the most cultivation in the tackles of the present day, for the ones who are really adept in it are marked exceptions to the general ran. The real accomplishment of a tackle depends upon the man's unflagging perseverance and study. A good defensive lineman cannot possibly be blocked every time in the same way, a good defensive lineman will soon become aware of the method and will be able to avoid the attempt. Dashing violently against a defensive lineman just as he is starting to work once or twice, and then he will make a false start to draw this charge and easily slip by the man. In blocking for a run, the case is very different and depends upon the point of assault. If the run is to be made around the right end, for instance, by the left halfback, the right tackle must block very slowly and long. That is, he must not dash up to his man the instant the ball is snapped and butt him aside, for the runner will not be near enough to derive any advantage from this, and the opponent and runner until the latter puts on steam to circle, when it his duty to engage his man sharply, and thus let the runner pass. In blocking for an inside run upon his own side, he should turn his man out or in, as the case may be just as the runner reaches the opening, being particularly careful not to make the break to early, lest the opponent reach the runner before he comes to the opening (Camp, 1891, p. 34). The Guard A man, who is slow, while it requires less agility than that of the tackle, can never satisfactorily fill the position of guard. When his own side has the ball the guard must block sharply until the quarter has time for receiving the ball, and, at any rate, to begin the motion of the pass. The blocking of a guard is much less exciting in its requirements than that of the tackle. Not that he must not block with equal certainty, but the act requires no such covering of two men as often happens in the case of a tackle. The guard forms closely towards the center, and then follows his man out if he moves out, but only as far as he can go, and still be absolutely certain that the opponent cannot pass between him and the snap? back. When blocking for a run, (of course much depends upon where the opening is to be made), and a guard must be governed accordingly. A guard may not move about so freely and must face his man more squarely then a tackle, for the guard must protect the quarterback first, while the tackle considers the half only. Previous to the snapback's playing the ball, it is the duty of the guards to see that their individual
opponents do not succeed in either kicking the ball out from the snap? back's hand or otherwise interfering with the play. This is quite an important feature, and a center should always feel that he is upon either hand a steady and wide-awake assistant who will neither be caught napping nor allow any unfair advantage to be taken of him (Camp, p. 26).
The Center or Snap? Back The man who may be selected to fill the important position of center-rush must be a man of sense and strength. Brain and brawn are here at their highest premium. Putting the ball into play at the right time, and properly, is a great achievement, but it does not free the center? rush from all other obligations. During early progress anew snap-back usually sends the ball against his own legs, or, if he manages to keep him out of the way, is upset by his opponent for his pains. It is no child's play to hold a ball out at arm's length on the ground in front of one and roll it back so that it passes between one's feet, and still preserve a good balance in spite of sudden push of a hundred. and eighty-pound opponent. But that is just what a center has to do each time the ball is down and belongs to his side. The first thing to teach a center is to stand on his feet against any amount of jostling. Then he must learn to keep possession of the ball until ready to play it. The most finished and experienced centers have away of playing the ball just as they are half? straightening as though to meet a charge from the front. As to holding the ball, some centers prefer to take it by the end, while others roll it on its side. The ball can be made to rise for the quarterback if sent on end, whereas if played upon its side it lies closer to the ground. A center ought to practice putting the ball into play with either hand until he is fairly proficient with both hands. A coach should see to it that his center has a variety of men to face, some big, some tricky, and some ugly. If any old players come back to help the team in the way of coaching and among them are some counter-rushers, they can do no better work than by donning a uniform and playing against the "Varsity" center. (Camp 1891) As Walter Camp wrote in 1891, a football team for the purpose of advancing the ball or repelling the attack of the opponents it has proved advisable for a Captain to divide his eleven men into general divisions: the forwards (Offensive Line) and backs (Camp, p. 18). In the early years of football the rule that governed the number of players on the line of scrimmage fluctuated; 1895, seven players must be on the line of scrimmage until the ball is snapped; 1896, rule again changes stating at least five players shall be on the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped; 1903, rule changes again state that now the number of players on the line of scrimmage could be either seven or five under certain conditions. Then finally in 1910, the rules committee changes for the last time the number of players on the line of scrimmage to seven prior to the snap of the football. This rule change of 1910 has remained unchanged to the present day. The introduction of the scrimmage line as stated in the book, The History of American Football, Its Great Teams, Players, and Coaches (Danzig, 1956), established the principle of possession of the ball, a tremendously important principle that, more than anything else, differentiates rugby from American football. When in 1880, a new rule is formed stating at least eleven players on a side and a scrimmage line established; the latter change eliminated the rugby scrum and aligned the teams on either side of the ball. Parke Davis wrote of the significance of this change in the 1926 Football Guide. He said, "The most important incident in the evolution of the game in the late eighteen seventies was the introduction of the modem scrimmage in the place of the rugby 'scrum'" (p. 15). The tacticians of the period perceived the vast improvement which could be obtained if a method were established of putting the ball in play that it would give to one side its undisturbed possession and thereby permit a strategic and tactical possession and thereby permit a strategic and tactical preparation to advance it (Davis 1926).
In 1883, four current methods of scoring were written into the rules book, touchdown, point after, field goal and safety. John Heisman, famous coach and one of the inventive minds of football wrote in 1932 in the Yale Princeton football program, "Camp's scrimmage plan gave the ball into possession of the center and he alone could put it into play with a snap-back. This control of the ball made it possible for the offensive team to plan plays in advance, and the use of signals by the quarterback made for better team play". (Davis, 1926)
In 1888 the rules committee established two rules categories which governed how players could block and advance the football: (1) helping runner and using body; and (2) use of hands and arms. These two categories as found in the N.C.A.A. handbook have remained unchanged since 1888 to the present day. In 1888, the rules stated that blocking with extended arms prohibited and holding on offense constitutes loss of ball to opponent. Pop Warner has been given credit by some for being the first to use linemen for interference. He is definitely credited, however, for introducing the Indian block, rather than the shoulder block in 1890. In his letter he said, "if you look at snapshots of football teams of the old days you will note that almost all players are on their feet." That was because in the early days blockers used only their shoulders, seldom leaving their feet. Pop Warner figured that the use of the full length of the body provided a greater blocking surface than just the width of the shoulders, and also made it less likely for a blocker to violate the rules by using the arms and hands, and also made it harder for the defensive man to avoid the block (Danzig, 1956).
The Encyclopedia of Sports (1978) referred to the line blocking of the early days as "Line Charging". Very little scientific thought had been put into that department of play before the dawn of the present century. Nearly all linemen, as a rule, lined up squarely against those who played the same positions on the opposing team. They didn't crouch or squat or play low. They mostly stood bolt upright and fought it out with each other hammer and tongs, tooth and nail, fist and feet. The fact is, you didn't stand much chance of making the line those days unless you were a good wrestler and fair boxer. Certain ingenious plays featured in early day sport were quite as startling and unique as is the forward pass of today. First was the flying wedge, invented in 1892 and brought out by Harvard. Almost every team in the country promptly copied the play. In the flying wedge, however, nine of the players of the team withdrew about 20 yards from midfield and at a signal these nine, in two lanes, started simultaneously and at full speed, converging on a point indicated by the ball. By the time they arrived at the ball, they had worked up a stupendous mass momentum, and the interference they gave for the runner was something wonderful to behold, and terrible to stop.
In 1894 Coach Woodruff, at Penn, drafted the principle of the flying wedge for his famous flying interference, which could be put into operation by the team that had the ball in every scrimmage down. This consisted in starting the tackle and end ahead of the snapping of the ball. They swung back together, between their line and the backfield, and then kept on to reinforce the work of their companion tackle and end, on the other side of the ball. Just before they hit the defensive line the ball went into play, and the results were again almost as disastrous to the defense as was the flying wedge. These two plays were quite as spectacular and thrilling as any that the modem game has produced. So unstoppable were they, however, that the Rules Committee was forced to legislate them out of existence within a few years in order to preserve the proper balance between offense and defense (Encyclopedia of Sports, 1978). In 1896, a rule was established to limit motion to only one player, thus, eliminating brutal momentum plays. Glenn Scobey Warner stated in his book, Football for Coaches and Players (1927) that ball carriers cannot gain ground, no matter how clever they may be, if the opponents are not blocked out of the path of the runner, whereas a good blocking and interfering team can gain ground consistently with mediocre ball carriers. In the early days of the game all blocking and interfering was done with the shoulder and interferers
seldom left their feet, but in recent years the body or Indian block, so named because the Carlisle Indians were the first to adopt it (Warner, 1927). The following diagrams are of a Line Charging Sled. In 1906, the forward pass is legalized. This was the most important of all rule changes since 1876. It gave football the balance between offense and defense and reduced the importance of kicking and rushing. One of the primary reasons that the forward pass was legalized was intended to reduce deaths and brutal injuries. Also, in 1906 and 1912, 10 yards for a first down, plus a fourth down to make a first was implemented. The change to 10 yards came in 1906, the fourth down in 1912, to encourage the offensive game. In 1930 and 1931, as the technique of offensive line play progressed additional adaptations and techniques were added to conform to the new rule changes, which were established during that time period.
In 1930, according to the rule under the category of hands and arms, illegal use of hands and arms by the team with possession of the football is prohibited. Such holding and use of hands and arms includes: · grasping an opponent with hands and arms, · placing hands upon an opponent to push him away from play, · with arm encircling in any degree any part of the opponent, and · in blocking, using arms in any way to lift an opponent. In 1931,according to the rule of helping the runner and using the body, no player of the team in possession of the ball might help the runner except by interfering for him, and there should be no interlocked interference. The rule regarding hand and arms stipulated that the runner might ward off opponents with his hands and arms, but no other player of the team in possession of the ball might use his hand(s) or arm(s) to obstruct an opponent unless the hands were close to the body. Bernard Oakes, in his book, Football Line Play for Players and Coaches (1932), stated that in developing the offensive charge, a charge must be developed before any specific methods of blocking are taught. The offensive linemen must have a quick, hard and sustained charge. All the speed, power, and drive of a well-trained physique is put into the first step. The first step counts most. The head and shoulders are dipped slightly as the first step is taken to insure getting low contact on the opponent and to avoid his hands. The arms should be snapped up under the chest. The palms of the hands should be down rather than up, or with the thumbs of each hand touching the chest. This position and twisting of the forearms will make them more rigid. The elbows should be extended and tensed, increasing the blocking width of the shoulders and the arms not allowed to drop back loosely to the sides. The hands and forearms should touch the chest to conform to the rule stating that the hand or hands must be in contact with the body (1932).
In his book Winning Football: Strategy, Psychology and Technique, B.W. "Bernie" Bierman (1937) pointed out that offensive lineman need to run or move in predetermined set patterns. Football is essentially a game of precision. Let the blockers move a few feet away from the path laid out for them on a certain play, and a defensive man is certain to leak through and perhaps make the play for a loss. This alone shows how important running or movement is. While details vary, the ultimate objective of blocking is two things. The blocker either drives an opponent out of position to create a running lane or he prevents an opponent from moving into the ball carriers path. Any person knows that the most natural way to push or hold a person is by using the hands and arms. Every football fan knows, however, that use of the hands and arms constitutes offensive holding in football and calls for penalties that have been the heart break of more than one crucial game (Bierman, 1937).
William Glenn Kinninger, in his book FOOTBALL, (1939) stated that in the parlance of the football field it is often said that the game is won "up front". This means, and it is almost a football axiom, that the team with the most powerful and best-coached line generally wins the game. Efficient offensive line play is based on expert blocking and blocking is the very essence of offensive football (Killinger, 1939). Further, to this issue, a coaching point was used that offensive lineman play from a stance, play with their knuckles on the ground rather than fingertips assisting in maintaining proper equilibrium. This not only provides stability, but also protects the fingers from injury (Killinger, 1939). It is important for linemen to practice their skills on a daily basis because, it is natural for linemen to want to use their hands when confronted by an opponent, but the rules do not permit the use of hands by the offense. Thus, in order to make blocking habitual without illegal use of hands it must be practiced (Killinger, 1939). In the early 1900's many different styles of blocks were devised in order to advance the football. Since, hands and extended arms were illegal, blocking technique focused on the use of head, face, neck, shoulder, body, hips, and legs. Thus, in order to effectively teach the many different blocks, many hours each week would be needed to practice these skills. 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. The most common fault of linemen, blocking in the line, was that they had a tendency to charge too high and did not keep underneath their man, and they did not follow through (a common mistake still being made with today's linemen). It was the duty for an offensive lineman executing one of his many blocks to always sustain his block and work towards maintaining close contact (no separation) with the defensive linemen. Against standing defensive linemen, the offensive linemen needed to work under the extended arms of their opponents to prevent being knocked backward or held off by their opponents' stiff? arm charge. In 1930 two coaches, Robert C. Supple and Milton M. Oleander from the University of Illinois published Coaching Football, the Illinois System of Offensive Line Attack. In their book they stated: bring the best blockers adjacent to each other for cooperative action. If the offensive linemen are grouped so that the same men always find themselves shoulder to shoulder, a better organized and a more polished attack will result. The team that controls the first yard beyond the line of scrimmage, all other things being equal, should win (p. 168). In 1932 Bernard F. Oakes, Head Football Coach, Crinnell College, wrote in his book: Football Line Play for Players and Coaches that a compact line contracts the defensive line and vice versa, a wide spread line expands the defensive line. In order to have a strong plunging and running attack it is advantageous to have the offensive line well spread. This can be accomplished to a surprising degree by merely having the offensive linemen take a wide stance of the feet. Such a stance also gives the individual linemen a better-balanced base from which to work. It does not restrict the possibilities of his action in using various charges or blocks by cramping him to a narrow confined space such as he must work in with a tight line.
There are certain advantages presented by spreading the defensive line. The distance between the individual defensive players is increased and thus the offensive linemen have an advantage over the defensive players as the hole designated by the play called is already partially opened for them. Plays going through the line are often stopped by a defensive player who is partially blocked, but who is close enough to reach the runner with his hands and grab him or some part of his uniform. There is less chance of this happening if the individual defensive linemen are spread (Oakes, 1932). Oakes also stated that before any specific methods of blocking are taught a charge must be developed. The offensive linemen must have a quick, hard and sustained charge. He must keep his balance and not stumble. The offensive charge is made in an unnatural position. It is natural for a man to run high, although he can exert more straight ahead driving power by running low. Consequently, a great deal of practice is necessary to keep the men low and to get the greatest power out of the shortest run. In producing a good charge, the first step counts most. The head and shoulders are dipped slightly as the first step is taken to insure getting low contact on the opponent to avoid his hands. The arms should be snapped up under the chest. The palms of the hands should be down rather than up, or with the thumbs of each hand touching the chest. This position and twisting of the forearms will make them more rigid. The elbows should be extended and tensed, increasing the blocking width of the shoulders and the arms not allowed to drop back loosely to the sides. The hands and forearms should touch the chest to conform to the rule stating that the hand or hands must be in contact with the body. The head should be up, so the top of the forehead would strike an opponent if met head on, and the neck drawn in and tensed, bull-like. Eyes should not be closed, but focused on the opponent's legs or feet. Extending the elbows in charging gives beneficial results other than that of increasing the blocking width of the shoulders (Oaks 1932). In 1946, hands and arms rule was redefined to read: Use of locked hands, regardless of position of hands is illegal if used in blocking by player of team with possession of ball. Legal use of hands and arms by team in possession of ball was: a) in shoulder and upper? arm blocking, player, after making legal initial blocking contact may allow his hand or hands to leave his body if defensive man retreats. b) in passive block for protection of kicker, or passer, player may shield his head with his arms, but in no case in such action may he use his hands or arms to strike or punch opponent. c) in side body or crab blocks, arms or hands do not have to be close to body (Oaks, 1932). With the use of hands and arms rule of 1946 being redefined blocking technique begins again to be restructured. In Offensive Football (1947), Louis R. Oshins, assistant football coach, Brooklyn College, state that the basis of every play is blocking. Blocking is an art. It asks an offensive man to forget about his hands, and to remove from the play a man who may use his hands. This gives the defensive player a tremendous advantage. The blocker must use whatever advantages he has. He does know exactly when the ball will be snapped and he can get the jump on his opponent He does know where the play will go and he can get good blocking position. These factors should compensate him adequately for the lack of hand play (Oshins, 1947). Blocks are taught that are never used in a game. They take up the valuable time that might be better spent for perfecting fundamental blocks. There are four important blocks that must be learned. They are the Head Block, Shoulder Block, Body Block, and the Open Field Block. The only difference between the Head Block and the Shoulder Block is in the position of the head. The Head Block calls for driving the head into the opponent's midsection. The Shoulder Block places the head to one side of the opponent in such a manner that it is between him and the ball carrier (Oshins, 1947).
The most perfectly executed blocks are utterly useless unless they are made at the right time. A block that is made too soon is no better than a block made too late, for the man to recover and make the tackle. Blocks may have different functions, which influence the technique and the duration of the block. A "T" formation quick opener does not require a long? sustained block. A spinner play demands that the blocker stay with his opponent. Linemen must know the maneuvers of the backs (in today's game the running backs must know the technique of the offensive lineman) so that they may know which plays are delayed plays that call for longer sustained blocking (Oshins, 1947). During 1949, 1950, and 1952 rules pertaining to the use of hands and arms are redefined. In 1949 under the rule of helping runner and using body, changes to read: while blocking, players feet may leave ground the instant he makes contact with the opponent (Oshins, 1947). Also, in 1949 the hands and anus rule changes: penalty for illegal use of hands and arms, for offensive player, loss of 15 yards from spot of foul. If, to supplement shoulder or chest block, a teammate of runner uses hand or forearm for blocking; chest block, teammate of runner uses hand or forearm for blocking; a) hand must be in contact with body during entire block; b) with crab or body block hands do not have to be in contact with body; c) hands may not be locked during any block (Oshins, 1947). In 1950, the hands and arms rule changed to require the hand must be in contact with body, and hand and arm must be kept below shoulders of opponent during entire block by teammate of runner. Note: If hand or arm of player of offensive team in legal blocking position contacts opponent above shoulder before opponent squats, ducks, or submarines, such contact is not violation if hands and arms are otherwise used (Oshins, 1947