Stiff-arm fend

The Heisman Trophy in American college football shows a player anticipating a stiff-arm fend.

The stiff-arm fend (known as a hand off in rugby league and rugby union and sometimes as a don't argue in Australia or a straight arm in American football) is a tactic employed by the ball-carrier in many forms of contact football.

The skill

In rugby league, rugby union, American football and Australian football, ball-carriers run towards defenders who are attempting to tackle them. By positioning the ball securely in one arm, the ball-carrier can fully extend his other arm, locking his elbow, and outstretching his palm. Then, the ball-carrier pushes directly outwards with the palm of his hand onto the chest or shoulder of the would-be tackler. The fend is a pushing action, rather than a striking action.

A stiff-arm fend may cause the tackler to fall to the ground, taking him out of the play. Even if the tackler keeps his feet, it becomes impossible for him to complete a tackle, as he cannot come close enough to wrap his arms around the ball-carrier.

A well-executed stiff-arm fend can be a very powerful offensive weapon. In Australian football, it can allow a player to break free from an imminent pack, often completely changing the direction of play. In rugby and American football, the stiff-arm fend can be effectively used to fend off pursuing defenders, or to create holes in a defensive line to the front. This is particularly important in rugby, where American football-style blocking is not permitted, making a stiff-arm fend the only legal way to physically create a hole in the defense.

The term don't argue was coined in Australia to describe the stiff-arm fend. The term describes what a commentator imagined the ball-carrier might be saying as he shoved his opponent in the face or chest, and is used as a noun.

Ball-carriers in Australian football must be careful to avoid fending opponents in the head or neck, otherwise they will concede a high tackle free kick. High fends will generally be allowed in rugby unless the referee rules that the fend is too forceful, constituting a strike rather than a push. In Rugby, as stiff-arm tackle (ie: locked elbow and extended arm prior to making contact with the defender) is dangerous play. A player makes a stiff arm tackle when using a stiff-arm to strike an opponent (Laws of the Game, Rugby Union, Law 10.4, dangerous Play and Misconduct, Section (e), dangerous tackling). Therefore, a stiff-arm fend, as described above is permitted (even a high fend) so long as it does not constitute striking the opponent (similar to an open handed punch).

Physics

The stiff-arm fend is particularly effective because its force is applied down the length of a straight arm, directly into the shoulder. This puts the arm bones exclusively under compressive axial stress, the stress to which bone is strongest, and ensures that minimal torque is applied to the shoulder joint. As such, the force that can be applied by a stiff-arm fend can easily repel or topple an oncoming defender. The same techniques are practised by some schools of martial artists when striking or punching; by ensuring that the direction of the force is directly down a locked, straight arm, martial artists can punch through bricks and tiles without damaging their arms.

Notes

External links

• Classic Sports Moves: The Stiff Arm - slideshow by Life magazine