Stiff arm

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The Heisman Trophy features former running back Ed Smith performing a stiff arm

Stiff arm (also stiff-arm or stiff-arm fend , German "stiff arm" or "stiff arm defense") describes in American football a movement in which the opponent is kept at a distance with an outstretched arm and open hand so avoiding a tackle .

The running back of the Philadelphia Eagles , LeSean McCoy (no. 25), sets a Stiff Arm against the linebackers of the Dallas Cowboys , Ernie Sims (59)

Timing is important when executing the stiff arm, because if the stiff arm is executed too early, the defender can evade or repel the stiff arm and if it is executed too late the force is not great enough to stop the defender. The most common point of attack is the helmet or the face grille , whereby it must be ensured that the hand remains open and does not penetrate into the openings of the helmet or the face grille. This could lead to injuries for both the defender and the attacker and is also prohibited.

Web links

Commons : Stiff Arm  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c Greg Garber: Thwack! Stiff-arm sticking it to NFL defenders. ESPN , December 13, 2006, accessed July 5, 2016 .
  2. ↑ a b The art of the stiff arm. USA Football , accessed July 5, 2016 .
  3. ^ NFL: Lexicon of the most important terms in American football. Ran, September 3, 2014, accessed July 5, 2016 .