Pigskin Dispatch’s Darin Hayes and I discuss the days when defenses could not advance fumbles that hit the ground, and the reason that rule came about.
Rule changes around fumble recovery really ilustrate how much the game has evolved to prioritize player saftey. The flea flicker discussion is particulary interesting becuase it shows how terminology can shift even when the play concept stays similar. These historical quirks add so much depth to understanding modern football.
Another change is that "pass blocking" referred to defenders knocking down the ball into the 1930s. If terminology is of interest, check out my third book, Hut! Hut! Hike!
Rule changes around fumble recovery really ilustrate how much the game has evolved to prioritize player saftey. The flea flicker discussion is particulary interesting becuase it shows how terminology can shift even when the play concept stays similar. These historical quirks add so much depth to understanding modern football.
Another change is that "pass blocking" referred to defenders knocking down the ball into the 1930s. If terminology is of interest, check out my third book, Hut! Hut! Hike!