If the QB is in a shotgun formation and his offensive linemen cut block as soon as the ball is snapped, that is legal provided it's against a defender who's initial position was in the free blocking zone. However, if the linemen delay the block and cut when the ball is out of the zone, then you have a problem. (See my previous post regarding the rule on blocking below the waist)

 

With regard to your GUTS statement, I strongly disagree. :mad: Eventhough most of the officials that I know do have big guts, (especially the umpires that work for local TV stations :thumb:) they do have the "cajones" to call the foul if, and when, they see it. :fight:

Vanny-G's got his dander up again :laugh:. But I agree that CoachBucket is incorrect in his assessment.

 

As Vangelis and Old Ref previously stated, an immediate "cut block" by an offensive lineman, even when the ball is snapped from "shotgun", is legal provided it's against a defender who's intial position was inside the free blocking zone.

 

There is an interesting discussion about this on another thread: High School Football Rules started by Frank329. BBW is a rules difference between college and high school rules. Wouldn't it be a lot simpler if the NCAA rule was adopted in NFHS?

Vanny-G's got his dander up again :laugh:. But I agree that CoachBucket is incorrect in his assessment.

 

As Vangelis and Old Ref previously stated, an immediate "cut block" by an offensive lineman, even when the ball is snapped from "shotgun", is legal provided it's against a defender who's intial position was inside the free blocking zone.

 

There is an interesting discussion about this on another thread: High School Football Rules started by Frank329. BBW is a rules difference between college and high school rules. Wouldn't it be a lot simpler if the NCAA rule was adopted in NFHS?

 

Not only that, but with the widespread use of shotgun offenses across all levels of football, it would only make sense to use the NCAA rules. I am NOT an advocate of the NCAA rule where you can cut any player at any point (eg. WR's cutting DBs, leading FB cutting a LB). However it seems a bit silly to me to have a rule that hinders a team based on whether or not they choose to line up under center. Why should they not have the same advantages that an under center team has? Is there more danger to defensive players being cut from the shotgun rather than under center? Surely not. IMO your going to see more and more of this problem among local associations as the spread/shotgun offense continues to grow.

 

Currently, the biggest problem I see is consistency in the application of the rule. I know the rule, most of the officials know the rule, but the consistency from game to game, area to area, just isn't there. Imagine how this can affect a HS team whose base offense is from the shotgun. I don't care which way it is called (although I'd prefer it to be by the rules ), just give us something concrete so coaches can teach their players accordingly.

Vanny-G's got his dander up again :laugh:. But I agree that CoachBucket is incorrect in his assessment.

 

As Vangelis and Old Ref previously stated, an immediate "cut block" by an offensive lineman, even when the ball is snapped from "shotgun", is legal provided it's against a defender who's intial position was inside the free blocking zone.

 

There is an interesting discussion about this on another thread: High School Football Rules started by Frank329. BBW is a rules difference between college and high school rules. Wouldn't it be a lot simpler if the NCAA rule was adopted in NFHS?

 

:D:D

You all need to get into the Rule Book....some of these answers are way off. Simply put to be cut the Defensive Player must be on the LOS, the ball has to be in the Free Blocking Zone and it has to be an interior Lineman (width of the zone) that cuts. There is no way that a RB could legally cut anyone.

From a Shot-gun formation, that would mean the OL would have to time their block with the snap to cut immediately...if there is any delay...the ball is out of the zone. I have not seen to many OL that are that savy to do this.

 

Just my two-cents.

 

Even if contact is initiated above the waiste and the RB stays in constant contact as he slides into the opponents legs? I realize that this is not the definition of a cut block that most of you are using but it is a cut block all the same. As a running back I played against guys two to three times my size and used this technique quite often in passblocking situations without ever being flagged.