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NFL ban on chop blocks impacts Falcons

The NFL has banned the chop block, a ploy occasionally used by the Falcons.

A chop block occurs when an offensive player blocks a defensive player and a second offensive player attempts to cut down the defensive player by blocking him around the knees.

The league's competition committee felt it was a dangerous play that produces serious knee injuries.

The Falcons use an outside-zone blocking system which sometimes results in chop blocks on the back side of running plays.

NFL owners also voted to continue having extra-point kicks snapped from the 15-yard line.

They also passed a resolution to expand what is a horse-collar tackle to cover the nameplate on the back of jerseys.