libterm.com Chop blocks are illegal blocking techniques in football that involve one player blocking an opponent below the knees while another player blocks them above the waist, increasing the risk of injury. Understanding the dangers and rules surrounding chop blocks can help maintain player safety and fair play on the field. Explore the rest of the article to learn more about how chop blocks impact the game and what measures are in place to prevent them.
Table of Comparison
| Aspect | Chop Block | Horse Collar |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Illegal block targeting the lower legs of a defender while another blocker engages higher. | Illegal tackle involving grabbing inside the back collar of the opponent's shoulder pads and pulling down. |
| Sport | Primarily American Football | Primarily American Football |
| Purpose | Disrupt defender's leg stability during blocking. | Stop the ball carrier abruptly by using the shoulder pad collar. |
| Penalty | 15-yard penalty, automatic first down. | 15-yard penalty, automatic first down. |
| Injury Risk | High risk of knee and ankle injuries. | High risk of neck and shoulder injuries. |
| Rule Status | Illegal in NCAA, NFL, and high school football. | Illegal in NCAA, NFL, and high school football. |
Introduction to Chop Block and Horse Collar
A chop block involves blocking a defender low while another player blocks high, targeting the legs and knees to gain leverage or create openings. The horse collar tackle occurs when a defender grabs the inside collar of an opponent's shoulder pads and pulls them down, increasing injury risk to the neck and spine. Both techniques are scrutinized in football due to their potential for causing serious injuries and are often penalized to promote player safety.
Definition of Chop Block
A chop block is a prohibited football technique where an offensive player blocks a defender at or below the knees while another blocker engages the defender above the waist, creating a dangerous double block that risks injury. This differs from a horse collar tackle, which involves a defender grabbing the inside collar of a player's shoulder pads or jersey from behind and yanking the player down. The chop block is penalized due to its high potential for causing severe lower-leg injuries.
Definition of Horse Collar
A horse collar is a football penalty that occurs when a defender grabs the inside collar of the ball carrier's shoulder pads or jersey and pulls them down forcefully, increasing the risk of injury. This move is illegal due to its high potential to cause knee and leg injuries by forcing players to fall awkwardly. Unlike the chop block, which involves blocking a defender low while they are already engaged by another blocker, the horse collar specifically targets the upper body grip on the ball carrier.
Key Differences Between Chop Block and Horse Collar
The key differences between chop block and horse collar fouls center on their contact points and definitions: a chop block involves an offensive player blocking a defender low while another player engages high, aiming to trap the defender, whereas a horse collar occurs when a defender is grabbed by the inside collar of the opponent's shoulder pads and pulled downward. Chop blocks are penalized for their dangerous combination of low and high contact, increasing injury risk to the defender's knees and legs, while horse collar fouls primarily threaten neck and shoulder safety. Both penalties are designed to protect defensive players from severe injuries but target distinct illegal tackling techniques.
Historical Background of Both Penalties
The chop block penalty originated in the NFL during the 1970s as a response to dangerous low blocks that caused significant knee injuries among offensive players, leading to rule changes aimed at enhancing player safety. The horse collar tackle emerged in the late 1990s, gaining attention after a series of severe injuries, particularly to defensive backs, when players grabbed the inside collar of opponents' shoulder pads to bring them down abruptly. Both penalties reflect evolving efforts by football leagues to reduce high-risk tackles and protect athletes from career-threatening harm.
Safety Concerns and Player Injuries
Chop block and horse collar tackles both pose significant safety concerns by increasing the risk of severe lower-body injuries, including ACL tears and ligament damage. The chop block endangers defenders by targeting the lower legs while they are engaged with another player, often resulting in dangerous knee hits. Horse collar tackles pull a player downward by the inside collar of the shoulder pads, leading to potential spinal injuries and concussions due to awkward falls and abrupt stops.
NFL Rules and Regulations Overview
The NFL Rules and Regulations strictly prohibit both the chop block and horse collar tackle due to safety concerns and the high risk of player injuries. A chop block occurs when one player blocks a defender below the waist while another blocks them above the waist simultaneously, resulting in a 15-yard penalty and potential fines. The horse collar tackle, defined as grabbing inside the opponent's shoulder pads or jersey from behind and pulling them down, also incurs a 15-yard penalty to protect players from knee and ankle injuries.
Famous Incidents Involving Chop Blocks and Horse Collars
Famous incidents involving chop blocks include the 2013 NFL game where star running back Marshawn Lynch suffered a knee injury after a low block on a tackle, highlighting the move's dangers and subsequent rule changes. In contrast, horse collar tackles gained notoriety after Dallas Cowboys safety Roy Williams caused a surge in injuries in the early 2000s, leading to the NFL's implementation of the Horse Collar Rule in 2005 to enhance player safety. These high-profile cases emphasized the need for stricter enforcement to reduce career-threatening injuries caused by illegal block techniques.
Impact on Game Strategy and Playcalling
Chop block penalties disrupt offensive line cohesion, forcing coaches to adjust run blocking schemes and favor quick passing plays to mitigate aggressive defensive fronts. Horse collar fouls often lead to defensive hesitation near the sidelines, encouraging offenses to exploit edge runs and bootleg passes for significant yardage gains. Both penalties alter defensive aggressiveness, compelling strategic shifts that impact playcalling tempo and field positioning.
Future of Chop Block and Horse Collar Rules
The future of chop block and horse collar rules in football is trending towards stricter enforcement and expanded penalties to enhance player safety and reduce injury risks. Leagues like the NFL and NCAA are expected to implement advanced video review technologies to detect violations more accurately and impose harsher sanctions on offenders. Ongoing research into injury biomechanics supports these regulatory changes, pushing for uniform rules across all levels of football.
Chop block Infographic
