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Rugby has the same problem with big hits and concussions occurring during them as American Football, but you are right in that it is illegal to block players wi

Rugby has the same problem with big hits and concussions occurring during them as American Football, but you are right in that it is illegal to block players without the ball in rugby and that is a pivotal part of American Football. In fact the disease most discussed and studied has been Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy or CTE. The position most likely (nearly 50%) to be affected are the linemen[1], not the guys leveling or receiving the bone crushing hits, but the guys doing the hum drum blocking on every play. The positions reporting the most concussions though are the guys who are doing the hitting and being hit, the guys with the ball and tackling him[2]. But these guys get the big hits rarely as players are subbed in and out and the ball is given to different players all the time. If they get a concussion it is obvious and are usually pulled from the game. Linemen on the other hand, are consistently in every play, and are blocking on every single play. They may be getting minor concussions every play, but not something noticeable enough to be pulled from the game. [1]https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/07/25/boston-university-study-cte-nfl-player-brains https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/07/25/boston-university-study-ct... [2]http://apps.frontline.org/concussion-watch/#positions_2015 http://apps.frontline.org/concussion-watch/#positions_2015

alistairSH 9y ago
Thanks for that additional detail - I hadn't realized the CTE was so heavily concentrated among the linemen, though it does make sense.
Pxtl 9y ago
> In fact the disease most discussed and studied has been Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy or CTE. The position most likely (nearly 50%) to be affected are the linemen[1], not the guys leveling or receiving the bone crushing hits, but the guys doing the hum drum blocking on every play. This actually means there might be hope. The game could be modified to reduce the impact on the linemen. Reduce the distance the defense has to back off from the line of scrimmage, maybe even right down to zero or even a straight-up scrum. No lead-up to that first hit, they start out in contact. No lunge forward to close the gap between offence and defense. Same gameplay happens - two lines of men trying to break through/protect the QB, but without that initial impact because they're already in a wrestling position.
- jnordwick 9y ago
  Getting rid of the neural zone would be interesting. Other rules would have to be changed, and line strategy would also have do change. I wonder if it would favor quickness over size since you are closer together or if size would be even more important. I think it is at least worth experimenting with.

alistairSH 9y ago

Thanks for that additional detail - I hadn't realized the CTE was so heavily concentrated among the linemen, though it does make sense.

Pxtl 9y ago

> In fact the disease most discussed and studied has been Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy or CTE. The position most likely (nearly 50%) to be affected are the linemen[1], not the guys leveling or receiving the bone crushing hits, but the guys doing the hum drum blocking on every play. This actually means there might be hope. The game could be modified to reduce the impact on the linemen. Reduce the distance the defense has to back off from the line of scrimmage, maybe even right down to zero or even a straight-up scrum. No lead-up to that first hit, they start out in contact. No lunge forward to close the gap between offence and defense. Same gameplay happens - two lines of men trying to break through/protect the QB, but without that initial impact because they're already in a wrestling position.

jnordwick 9y ago
Getting rid of the neural zone would be interesting. Other rules would have to be changed, and line strategy would also have do change. I wonder if it would favor quickness over size since you are closer together or if size would be even more important. I think it is at least worth experimenting with.