The Oline

[couch 'em]

When did the rules change allowing olinemen to block with their hands/extend their arms in college? I can find when NFL changed but not NCAA

[NTXCoog]

According to this article, the rule changed in 1985. http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2457&dat=19850722&id=9nc-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=t1kMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1405,2229992

[couch 'em]

Opinions? Anyone want to go back?

[GRGB]

According to this article, the rule changed in 1985. http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2457&dat=19850722&id=9nc-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=t1kMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1405,2229992

so 28 years later it's become a recruiting necessity to have 6'5+ lineman

[SMU 86]

According to this article, the rule changed in 1985. http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2457&dat=19850722&id=9nc-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=t1kMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1405,2229992

so 28 years later it's become a recruiting necessity to have 6'5+ lineman

Well that is the height range that Coach Palcic said he likes in the video interview he did.

[ponyte]

The first year one could use their hands to block was in 1980. And it was primarily for pass blocking, not run blocking. And it was a real bear to learn a new way of pass blocking.

Back then holding was a 15 penalty from he spot of the foul. A real killer. The NCAA wanted to create a way to decease the severity of the penalty. ONe could block with their hands as long as the hands didn't get outside the shoulders. If they did, then it was a five yard penalty from the line of scrimmage. Holding was still holding but the number of holding penalties started to decrease. There have been modifications to the rule since then.

[PoconoPony]

The theory of 6" 5" is simply "long arms". Long arms allow you to pass protect while keeping the defensive player from getting in close, gaining leverage and turning in or out side the block. LSU and Alabama, among other high profile programs, for years have had an in-place recruiting philosophy that they will not even recruit an O lineman who is not at least 6' 5". I have not checked their rosters, but it is something they strive to maintain. This was all set up mainly by the NCAA change in rules set forth supra. in this thread. I personally think that is an ideal height, but at the expense of some height I would also like to see some athleticism, quick feet, strength, intelligence, football instinct....etc.