Pass Blocking Style?????

[aggieNzona]

Is it just me, or has anyone else though that the current style of pass
blocking used by all teams is a bad idea?
After watching lots of game this weekend I am starting to think the take 2
or 3 steps back and form a pocket is actually counter productive to good
pass blocking. Every team seems to have such trouble pass blocking and as a
fan I am getting real tired of all the false start flags which occur almost
exclusively on passing plays.
The problem as I see it is you have 350 lb guys trying to block 250 lb guys
who just run around them. The O-lineman take two or three steps backwards
giving up ground, the momentum is all in favor of the quicker, smaller more
agile D-lineman.
I say take advantage of the strength and size and start with a step forward
and initiate the contact, hit the D-lineman then form the more traditional
straight up pass blocking but more likely only a yard or two back of the
line not 5 yards back?
It also might make pass plays less obvious for a spit second giving the
Offense even more of an advatage. What do you think? Am I on to something or should I drink more beer while watching football?

 

[HJam72]

Isn't the rule that the blocker just can't go 5 or more yds. downfield? I've always wondered myself why O-linemen don't just try to push the guy 4.5 yds. downfield and THEN get carefull. Why start right off by taking a step back? Some of the worst pass blockers are pretty good at run blocking and I don't really see why it has to be so terribly different.

 

[Runner]

Well, we'd be the only team in the league doing it. How does this sound:

Dom Capers, Innovator

OK, bad idea.

 

[Double Barrel]

Offense is about control and creation. Defense is about reaction and destruction.

Good quote, man. Hits the nail on the head. I might have to work that in my sig...with proper reference to the originator, of course.

 

[aggieNzona]

It's just you. Sacks would go up to a ridiculous level. There is a reason no team from the NFL to HS does this. You have to give ground to control the pass rusher. You cannot control a man who you are lunging at. Offense is about control and creation. Defense is about reaction and destruction.

You are right that is the conventional wisdon I just think it is wrong.
Take the fight to them! I didn't say lung I just said initiate!
In boxing does playing defensive work?
In the NFL does playing defensive (ie "prevent") work?

I cannot think of many things in life where being reactive is better than being proactive? Can you? And be careful with the "everyone does it or it has always been done that way" thinking, look around your work that kind of thinking cuases more problems than it solves.

 

[Texas]

However in Boxing does the boxer that runs straight up swinging win? Or does the boxer who stays conservative and counter punches win? I dont know ask Mike Tyson.

 

[aggieNzona]

Once you lock on to your man you start shuffling your feet if you want to pass protect....do it any other way and you will get whipped.[/QUOTE]

Maybe if all things are equal but if you are twice the size and a hundred pounds heavier shouldn't you use that advatage?

 

[aggieNzona]

That is using your size to advantage. Thrusting forward trying to engage men who are likely quicker than you is a recipe for a sack. You lose all your control, leverage and ability to counter.

Ok vin we will just have to agree to disagree.
I just can't help wonder why almost every team seams to have such trouble with something so basic?

 

[Runner]

And because there are some pretty good guys trying to get past you.

Sacks are actually pretty rare when balanced against the number of pass plays teams have. Some teams rarer than others, of course.

 

[Honoring Earl 34]

Anthony Munoz is considered one of the best left tackles ever . He also pitched some at USC. To pitch you need balance and at his size he was not a big stiff .

 

[ledzeppelin229]

If the OL immediately engaged the DL, the OL would be doing their job for them. Delayed blitzes would happen every single play because the OL would already be tied up and never have time to back up again and react to a LB or safety/CB blitz.

 

[infantrycak]

And because there are some pretty good guys trying to get past you.

Sacks are actually pretty rare when balanced against the number of pass plays teams have. Some teams rarer than others, of course.

To be specific--last year the worst team in football sack per pass attempt wise was the Chicago Bears at 14% of passing plays (66 of 471) and the best was the Packers at 2.3 % (14 of 598). The Texans were a respectable sucky at 10.4%.