Motion vs. Shift
In football, the job of the offense is to find ways to create mismatches. This is done primarily by moving players all over the field. Line of scrimmage officials must…
The Play Clock
The invention of the play clock in football enabled the game to be played with balance and pace. It allowed teams a specific amount of time in between downs for…
The Game Clock (Starting and Stopping)
One of the most overlooked aspects of the game that is taken for granted is the game clock. For casual fans and even inexperienced officials, the game clock does not…
The Free Blocking Zone
The Free Blocking Zone is an imaginary rectangular area extending 4 yards from either side of the ball laterally and 3 yards behind each team’s line of scrimmage. In this…
The Neutral Zone
Football, Chess, War. 3 separate activities that on the surface could not be more different. One is an ultra-violent, take no prisoners affair. One has over time torn families apart.…
