Here's My Take
I think leagues have put rules in place moreso because it creates a crutch for them to compete, not to make it realistic. I am one of those who go by the philosophy of "Don't worry about what's in my lockerroom, worry about your own". To me, this means simply that if I am on defense, I should be able to run any type of defensive scheme I want. If I want to run 11 men in a straight line, that's my choice. But I think the rules should be created in a manner that does not restrict the offensive team to have to run right at "the storm". They should be able to audible into a formation that penalize the defense for blitzing in such a manner.
You can't dictate to another team that they must place a man over yours because you can't account for him. Football is all about trickery, deception, and surprise. The Zulu warriors changed the way of defensive tactics in African colonization times. They did not play according to time honored traditions of previous wars. They were the aggressor. They took chances! They surprised the opponents. Similarly, that must be done in football (I think). If I am forced to place every man over yours, it takes away elements of surprise. To me, that's the cerebral part of electric football. Like Jimbo said, you've got 60 minutes to figure it out!
As long as rules are in place that restricts either team from doing things that makes them great, the outcome is predictable. But if you allow defenses to do what they want to do and then allow offenses to counter it in a meaningful way, the game becomes very exciting. Buddy Ryan would be ********ed off right about now if he could not run the 46, or Arnsbarger would be very unhappy if he could not run the 53, etc. Air Coryell would be very upset if you told him he had to just use 2 wide outs and no other packages, or the Run and Shoot, etc.
Don't restrict the game by your play. Restrict the other team by your ability to play and execute. If you execute efficiently, the other team will be trying to create rules to handicap your team's ability.
Just another coach's perspective.
Reginald Rutledge
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