My son came home from practice yesterday and he said a KSHAA official came by to brief them on rule changes for this year. My son said that down field blocks below the waist are now completely disallowed and would only be allowed at the line of scrimmage. Can someone please elaborate, confirm or refute what he is saying? Does this mean that blitzing defenders cannot be blocked below the waist?

 

Thanks!

It has not been allowed to block blitzing players below the waist for some time, unless they are in the "free blocking zone" prior to the snap.

 

I have heard of this area of emphasis and believe what your son is saying to be true.

Down field blocks below the waist have never been allowed

Down field blocks below the waist have never been allowed

in Kentucky!

in Kentucky!

I believe Texas is the only state that doesn't follow national federation rules which only allow blocking below the waist in the free blocking zone. Texas high schools follow NCAA rules.

I believe Texas is the only state that doesn't follow national federation rules which only allow blocking below the waist in the free blocking zone. Texas high schools follow NCAA rules.

 

Is this just between the tackles?

Is this just between the tackles?

 

The Free Blocking Zone is an area four yards to each side of the ball, and three yards on each side of the line of scrimmage. For blocking below the waist to be legal, both the blocker and the defender being blocked must be in the free blocking zone prior to the snap of the ball and the block below the waist has to occur almost instantly, because, once the ball leaves the free blocking zone, there is no more free blocking zone.

The Free Blocking Zone is an area four yards to each side of the ball, and three yards on each side of the line of scrimmage. For blocking below the waist to be legal, both the blocker and the defender being blocked must be in the free blocking zone prior to the snap of the ball and the block below the waist has to occur almost instantly, because, once the ball leaves the free blocking zone, there is no more free blocking zone.

 

Help me out on this.. If in shotgun can you still block the DLine and a stunting LB who showing blitz below the waist?

I believe you can do so as long as the OL cuts him immediately. The OL can not show pass and then cut if the offense is in the shotgun because the ball would be out of the zone.

Ram has it right.

 

The chop block rule was changed in 2011.

 

NFHS | Chop Block Rule Redefined in High School Football

 

Cut blocking can be done on the initial action even in a shotgun. Below the waist can not be done outside the FBZ in any situation and that is not new.

 

I have seen where an initial down field block is above the waist but the blocker slides down and causes the defender to trip. Technically that is not 'below the waist' block since the initial contact is above the waist. That situation seems to get called more often when the offensive player is smaller (a small quick wideout or slot receiver) than the defensive player and the official sees only the result and not the initial contact.

To me a bigger problem has always been defenders taking on lead blockers by taking out their legs which is also illegal. That is rarely called.

Help me out on this.. If in shotgun can you still block the DLine and a stunting LB who showing blitz below the waist?

Yes, so long as the block below the waist occurs immediately. And, or course both the blocker and the defender start the play in the Free Blocking Zone.

I have seen where an initial down field block is above the waist but the blocker slides down and causes the defender to trip. Technically that is not 'below the waist' block since the initial contact is above the waist. That situation seems to get called more often when the offensive player is smaller (a small quick wideout or slot receiver) than the defensive player and the official sees only the result and not the initial contact.

 

Good point. You may "Slide down" the defender as long as the initial contact is above the waist. I constantly hear fans yelling about below the waist blocks down field, but most of those were initially high contact and the blocker slid down the defender and ended the block at the legs. Legal block.

Good point. You may "Slide down" the defender as long as the initial contact is above the waist. I constantly hear fans yelling about below the waist blocks down field, but most of those were initially high contact and the blocker slid down the defender and ended the block at the legs. Legal block.

 

 

 

Depends on the referee crew! Trust me.:lol:

Mass also follows NCAA rules.