blind blocking: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Sports
Quick answer
What does “blind blocking” mean?
A defensive technique in American football where an offensive lineman blocks a defender without knowing exactly where the defender is, typically used in screen passes or when the defender is not directly in front of them.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A defensive technique in American football where an offensive lineman blocks a defender without knowing exactly where the defender is, typically used in screen passes or when the defender is not directly in front of them.
In broader contexts, it can refer to any action taken without full visibility or complete information, often implying a calculated risk based on prediction rather than direct observation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is almost exclusively American, stemming from American football. In British English, the concept is largely unknown outside of fans of the sport; there is no direct equivalent in rugby or association football terminology.
Connotations
In American English, it connotes skill, timing, and teamwork within a specific sports context. In British English, if encountered, it would be recognized as a niche American sports import.
Frequency
Virtually non-existent in general British English usage. Its frequency in American English is confined to sports commentary, coaching, and analysis.
Grammar
How to Use “blind blocking” in a Sentence
The [offensive lineman] blind blocks the [linebacker].[Team] employs blind blocking on screen plays.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “blind blocking” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The tackle was coached to blind block on the screen play.
American English
- The guard will blind block the linebacker coming from his weak side.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- It was a classic blind-blocking scheme.
American English
- The team's blind-blocking technique needs work.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used metaphorically to describe making a business decision without all market data, relying on forecast models.
Academic
Only in sports science or kinesiology papers discussing American football techniques.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would only be used by American football enthusiasts discussing a game.
Technical
Core usage is in American football coaching manuals, playbooks, and technical commentary.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “blind blocking”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “blind blocking”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “blind blocking”
- Using it to mean 'ignoring something obvious' (confusion with 'turning a blind eye').
- Using it as a general synonym for any poor or missed block.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a legal and coached technique, as long as it does not involve holding or blocking in the back.
It is extremely rare. It might be used as a metaphorical extension in very specific contexts (e.g., business, gaming) to mean acting without full information, but this is not standard.
The main risk is missing the block entirely, as the blocker is targeting a predicted area rather than a directly observed defender, which can lead to a tackle for loss.
Not directly. Rugby has rucking, mauling, and tackling, but the specific concept of a 'blind' block based on a pass play is unique to the structure of American football.
A defensive technique in American football where an offensive lineman blocks a defender without knowing exactly where the defender is, typically used in screen passes or when the defender is not directly in front of them.
Blind blocking is usually technical/sports in register.
Blind blocking: in British English it is pronounced /blaɪnd ˈblɒkɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /blaɪnd ˈblɑːkɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “N/A”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BLINDFOLDED person trying to BLOCK a doorway based only on the sound of someone approaching.
Conceptual Metaphor
ACTION WITHOUT SIGHT IS A CALCULATED GAMBLE.
Practice
Quiz
In which sport is the term 'blind blocking' primarily used?