![]() Now as of this year, the ILLEGAL WEDGE has entered the rules. That formation was and is legal except on kick-offs. Technically, the rules state a WEDGE is two or more players aligned shoulder to shoulder within two yards of each other. It does not describe the V-shaped formation. However in football, the WEDGE means an attempt to block in such a manner as to concentrate the number of players blocking to players tackling and create a space, or wedge, to allow the runner to get by the tacklers. Definition: When I think of a wedge, it reminds me of the Canadian Geese flying formations heading South for the winter. So an urgent rule change was inserted this first "off" year for player safety reasons. The NCAA rules committee found evidence that one in five injuries on kickoffs has a concussion as part of the injury. They made the wedge illegal on kickoffs last year, but the results have not been published yet. The NFL studies have shown 40% of the concussions sustained in that league occur in relation to the Kickoff and Wedge formation. Concussions and the resultant long term effects on the players is at the top of medical concerns at all levels of football. One of those changes is a hand-me-down from the NFL last year. Yet for safety of the players, some rules must be changed during that off year. ![]() The upcoming 2010 season will be the first off year of publication. Two years ago the rules committee decided to publish a new rule book only every other year. Now though, the coaches, players and most of all the fans, are happy with the game thus providing very few rule changes. The rules were also changing to promote the new air attack, and therefore several changes were required each year. ![]() Wedge rule small pic (Photo: )When I first started officiating 25 years ago, football as we know it today was still evolving from three yards and a cloud of dust to the more exciting Texas Tech style offensive aerial circuses of which we are seeing more and more.
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