what about footblocks?

[osteoderm]

I've always been a little puzzled by footblocks. What exactly is the purpose? All I can intuit is that they A) keep the sheet tail angle and direction constant relative to the winch with variances of sheet lead, and B) keep sheets from crossing the side-decks just forward of the cockpit where you most need to step.
Is that really all it is, or is there some other reason for footblocks as well?

[Russ L]

A third reason for footblocks is easier genoa car trimming. The footblock, being lower than a winch, will allow a shallow sheet angle through the genoa car. Which makes less load on the car resulting in easier fine tune adjustments of the car. Racers believe this is important enough put up with the huge load on the footblock (double the sheet load), extra friction, longer sheets and extra weight aft. However, with the advent of Harken style ball bearing cars (easy adjustment under load) some racers are removing the footblocks.
Cheers, Russ L