How come in Football, defensive players don't play offense, offensive players don't play defense, etc?

Question

Like when Defensive lineman are done, they go on offense and become offensive lineman, corner backs become wide receivers (like deion sanders), and other positions flip flop (where possible).......etc

how come football isn't played like that? is it because of the possibility of too much injuries? or other reason?

thank you

Answer 1

With open substitutions, you have two advantages to separate offense and defense. For a particularly talented player, a coach can choose to have someone play both sides of the ball. And if you'd really like to see that, check out arena football when the NFL season ends--that's how they play.

The biggest reason is specialization. A defensive lineman doesn't have to learn any offensive plays or practice with the offense, so he has more time to concentrate on being the best defensive lineman he can be. The second is staying fresh and strong for the whole game--linemen get tired by the start of the fourth quarter and their play changes noticeably. If they played both sides of the ball, it would happen faster and they'd need a sub. If you need to give someone a sub for almost half the game anyway, why not give him either the defensive or offensive half of the game off, so he can work on his specialty.

Answer 2

Injuries is a lot of it look at how many people get hurt playing one side and the truth of the matter is the playbooks are too huge for one player to know every call on offense and defense so why even try you don't have those rare specimens like deion sanders who could do both and make the necessary adjustments. they had to put deion on offense b/c teams refused to throw to his half of the field so he was basically just going through the motions he had to get on offense so they could get the ball into his hands kind of like how the bears are trying to work devin hester in as a WR b/c teams aren't kicking to him as much but the bears still want to use his speed

Answer 3

How come you didn't mention 1960's Chuck Bednarik of the champion Eagles, one of the great two-way players of all time? He was a lineman and linebacker, tough as they come. William Perry was a goal line workhorse on offense for one of the best championship teams ever in 1985, and his #1 job was to occupy blockers on defense for the Chicago Bears.

The fact remains that today's football is so intricate and physical that unless you play receiver and defensive back (Troy Brown, Devin Hester) or are on the goal line team (Mike Vrabel, Jared Allen) you aren't going to stay on the field for both sides.

Also noted is that punters and long snappers don't normally hold a starting job on offense or defense. That's more proof that the game is more about doing one skill position very well instead of being capable of playing seven spots. Apologies to the O-line dogs who can play all tackle, guard and center slots.

Answer 4

They do in Arena Football.
Also, like others have stated, way back in the early days of Football, players did play both ways.

Just like Deion Sanders played a little offense, so does Devin Hester & Mike Vrabel. Also Deion Branch played DB when he was with the Patriots.

Answer 5

They will run different formations depending on if they are in offensive or defensive mode. The type of formation used is determined by the game situation. Teams will often have "special formations" which they only use in obvious passing situations, short yardage or goal line situations, or formations they have developed for that particular game just to confuse the defense. There are a nearly unlimited number of possible formations. The skill in utilizing these plays can be likened to that of any game of strategy.....as in chess there are formulas for offensive and defensive play depending on what the other team is doing, but each team has their own style which is what makes the playbooks different and there are so many variables, such as injuries, that is why the game is always exciting!

Answer 6

Players did play both ways in the old days, and even today if you look at the Pats they sometimes have defensive player play offensive and last year they had troy brown play defensive. But the reason teams don't do it is because each position has become more specialized, and player would get too tired player both.

Answer 7

For the same reason a marathon runner doesn't run another race immediately after he or she finishes one. Okay well it isn't the same thing, but you get the idea.

Sometimes, teams with weak offenses appear to have weaker defenses as well. It isn't necessarily a lack of talent on defense, but a result of the fact that the offense isn't on the field long enough to give the defense a rest. This is why most teams utilize as much playclock time as they can prior to each play.

Answer 8

Well, you have part of it...injuries are one key thing...The chances of you losing a star player to injuries goes way up...and there are way too many injuries with players just playing one position in the first place...

Secondly, the players should be experts at their positions and most players wouldn't be able to physically be able to play...For example: A QB normally can't play CB because they are normally slower than others...

Lastly, playing multiple positions and staying on the field the whole game is tiring and draining...very bad since players already get fatigued just playing 1 position...

Hope this helps...

Answer 9

becuase they specialize in their specific position a good wide reciever wouldnt neccissarly(sorry bad spelling) be a good corner back a defense lineman is good at penetrating the line maybe not at defending their qb and making holes for their hb

Answer 10

well some do,like for the patriots,they be bringing in junior seau as tight end,mike vrabel as running back,and stuff like that,plus if its the last play of the game and ur behind by 7,they put their recivers deep back. plus its to tireing to go back and forth playing on both sides.