Issues began to develop even though the technique was quite effective and exceptionally famous. The massive amount of weight and momentum it brought to bear caused tremendous injuries, and even deaths. Quite simply, the play was too effective. While the play was incredibly popular, a dark cloud soon began to develop. While it was considered very effective at first, it was later banned across America and the United Kingdom due to its inherently aggressive nature. It involves players running forward tightly grouped together with the aim of breaking through opposing defense lines and gaining ground ahead. The technique was famously employed during a Harvard-Yale football game in 1892. In the field of rugby, the flying wedge is a brutal but nonetheless effective technique. The flying wedge was appreciated by more armies around the world, leading it to evolve into a more enhanced version with time. Historians and scholars of warfare realize that Alexander the Great and other war chiefs often used this military tactic to win their battles. History Of The Flying Wedge In American FootballĪlthough the exact origin of the flying wedge maneuver is uncertain, its traceable roots can be found in ancient Greece. Furthermore, now that kickoffs can either go out of bounds or due to a fair-catch signal, there is less of a risk when it comes down to high impact collisions where a team member or one from another would collide with someone standing perfectly still and waiting for information rather than jockeying for proper position along the sidelines as was done before now that teams do not have full reign over where they stand. Since there are specific rules related to how players must line up before and during kick-offs, it’s no longer necessary for certain members of the kicking team to form an alliance before getting back to their respective routes because they’re typically on their own when returning the ball. Any illegal wedge penalty results in a 15-yard loss by the offending team.Īlso, know that with the changes in the way teams kick and catch, there is no longer a need for the wedge block to be utilized. In 2009, the wedge formation was banned in football due to its potential for causing injuries if players were to collide with each other while running. Why Is The Wedge Illegal In Football?Ī wedge block takes place on a kickoff when the two outermost players lunge into each other before one of them breaks and another player runs through the hole to fend off any possible tacklers from getting in the way. These handles would allow them to tighten their formation and keep them more closely combined as well as keep track of their teammates. The players on a wedge were not only leaning in close together but they were bonded to each other through the use of leather handles sewn into their uniforms. You might have seen this formation being used in American football where it’s designed for short or medium-distance plays. One player is designated as the captain of the team, followed by three forwards, three backs, and one other player who is normally positioned in front of the captain. The V formation uses at least seven players and looks like the head of an arrow. The NFL banned the flying wedge formation in 2009, and the decision to ban this offensive formation was due to the dangers it posed to defensive players attempting to stop the ball.Ī flying wedge is also known as a V formation and it is used by football teams to create a sense of intimidation.
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