Are the following correct? My Coach always told us that:

 

1) A running back is outside the FBZ at the snap and can never HIT low

 

2) A linebacker who is outside the FBZ at the snap can never BE HIT low

 

3) A block in the back has to hit between the shoulder blades to be illegal

 

4) A back who is behind the LOS as a receiver can be hit, or even tackled, legally, even if the ball is in the air

 

5) TE's are almost always outside the FBZ

 

 

1. Correct, anyone outside the FBZ at the snap can not hit low

 

2. Correct, anyone outside the FBZ at the snap can not be hit low.

 

3. Correct... A block from behind the shoulder in LEGAL, it has to be between the shoulder blades.

 

4.Correct and Incorrect. A defender can not be called for pass interference from behind the LOS but he can be called for defensive holding.

 

5.Incorrect

 

 

I hope this helps you out.

The NFHS has defined a free blocking zone (FBZ). The FBZ is:

 

4 yards left and right of the ball where it is snapped

3 yards forward and backward from the line of scrimmage

The FBZ is in effect as long as the ball is in that rectangular shaped area.

 

Blocking below the waist is legal when the following conditions are all met...

a. all players involved are on the line of scrimmage and in the FBZ at the snap (for team B this means within 1 yard of the neutral zone).

b. the contact is inside the FBZ

 

Clipping is permitted in the FBZ when the following conditions are all met...

a. by offensive lineman who are on the line of scrimmage and in the FBZ at the snap

b. against defensive players who are on the line of scrimmage and in the FBZ at the snap

c. The contact is in the FBZ

 

Blocking in the back is permitted when the following conditions ar met...

a. by offensive lineman who are on teh line of scrimmage and in the FBZ at the snap

b. against defensive players who are in the FBZ at the snap

c. the contact is in the FBZ

 

None of the above actions are legal after the ball leaves the FBZ. If the QB is in shotgun formation he is technically outside the FBZ, so the long snap (ball) leaves the FBZ quickly. It is determined therefore that such blocks listed above are legal only if they occur immediately after the snap.

 

You should consider calling games. What about cutting while in shot gun?

 

Also, Bolye Co. performs the chop-block quite regularly. Not sure it is taught, but they do it.:fight:

It is illegal to cut a blitzing LB, unless he lines up on the LOS.

 

 

It's illegal unless he lines up in the FBZ.

You should consider calling games. What about cutting while in shot gun?

 

Also, Bolye Co. performs the chop-block quite regularly. Not sure it is taught, but they do it.:fight:

 

 

That's a good question, we just talked about this at our association meeting a couple weeks ago. The ball has to be in the FBZ in order to for the cut block to be legal. In the shotgun set, the ball is immediately out of the FBZ upon the snap, rendering the cut block illegal.

I have another question that is similar in nature. Is it legal for a linebacker or defensive end to cut a running back who is trying to block them on an isolation or power play?

 

No, it is not legal for the DE/OLB to cut the lead blocker (FB or pulling OL).

I have another question that is similar in nature. Is it legal for a linebacker or defensive end to cut a running back who is trying to block them on an isolation or power play?

 

Depends on 3 things:

 

1. Was the D-end lines up in the FBZ at the snap?

2. Was the RB lined up in the FBZ at the snap?

3. Is the ball still inside the FBZ at the time of the block?

 

I would venture to say most of the time the block would be illegal. Only in certain formations (Wing T) could this be a likely legal block but even then it would be very unlikely for all 3 things to occur. These 3 things HAVE to happen for the block to be legal.