Chapter 6, Problem 37A

When blocking in football, why does a defending lineman often attempt to get his body under that of his opponent and push upward? What effect does this have on the friction force between the opposing line-man’s feet and the ground?

To determine

The reason that a defending lineman often attempt to get his body under that of his opponent and push upward.

Answer to Problem 37A

To reduce the force of friction and contact of ground between the opponent’s feet and the ground.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Friction is the opposing force that acts opposite to the motion of the body. In case of football various principles of physics are applied, such as impulse and conservation of momentum.

While blocking in football, a defending lineman frequently gets his body underneath that of his opponent and push upward because by doing so, he is changing the momentum of the opponent and impulse is applied in such case. This reduces the force of frictionbetween the opponent’s feet and the ground.

Conclusion:

Hence, it reduces the friction and contact of ground between the opponent’s feet and the ground.