Tical21
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2012
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They probably need to do it. Guys don't really do it right anymore, anyways. The target was never supposed to be the knee, but it clearly is now.
If you're quick enough, you can technically get your feet around a guy, using a "scoop" technique rather than cutting, although it is going to result in more holding. I don't think the biggest impact will be in the running game. Teams will have to do more trapping, blocking down and pulling a backside guard. Teams may have to run inside a little bit more, where you don't cut block anyways.
The biggest impact is going to be in the passing game. What the cut block does more than anything is slow guys down. It makes them think that if they come flying off the ball, they're going to get cut, and end up on their face. If you get a super aggressive d-tackle in front of you, the cut is your best weapon. Cut him down a handful of times, that will slow him down. Now he starts coming off the ball looking to use his hands to help him get over a cut. Now you've got him. Now you can come flying off the ball and knock him back. If there isn't anything in his head to slow him down coming off the ball, he's just going to tee-off all game long.
I do want to clarify though that backside cuts aren't unique to zone blocking. Teams have been cutting on the backside for at least 30 years.
If you're quick enough, you can technically get your feet around a guy, using a "scoop" technique rather than cutting, although it is going to result in more holding. I don't think the biggest impact will be in the running game. Teams will have to do more trapping, blocking down and pulling a backside guard. Teams may have to run inside a little bit more, where you don't cut block anyways.
The biggest impact is going to be in the passing game. What the cut block does more than anything is slow guys down. It makes them think that if they come flying off the ball, they're going to get cut, and end up on their face. If you get a super aggressive d-tackle in front of you, the cut is your best weapon. Cut him down a handful of times, that will slow him down. Now he starts coming off the ball looking to use his hands to help him get over a cut. Now you've got him. Now you can come flying off the ball and knock him back. If there isn't anything in his head to slow him down coming off the ball, he's just going to tee-off all game long.
I do want to clarify though that backside cuts aren't unique to zone blocking. Teams have been cutting on the backside for at least 30 years.
