A chop block is always illegal.

 

But there is sometimes confusion as to the definition of what a chop block really is: it's a double team block, where there is a delay in the two players contacting the opponent, in which one of the blocks is above the waist and the other block is below the waist.

 

Maybe the confusion is with what coaches call a "cut block", which is simply a legal block below the waist (which is not a double team) that occurs within the free blocking zone. And, if it happens immediately after the snap in the shotgun formation, it is legal.

 

It's kind of complicated, but the point is that a chop block is an illegal double-team "stand-em-up and cut-em-down" block, and a "cut block" is legal block below the waist by a single blocker between the tackles. Again, a "cut block" by a single O-lineman which occurs without delay at the snap, even in the shotgun formation, is legal.

 

In both cases, any delay is the key. Maybe that's the difference between the calls you saw.

Edited September 14, 200818 yr by offside

A chop block is always illegal.

 

But there is sometimes confusion as to the definition of what a chop block really is: it's a double team block, where there is a delay in the two players contacting the opponent, in which one of the blocks is above the waist and the other block is below the waist.

 

Maybe the confusion is with what coaches call a "cut block", which is simply a legal block below the waist (which is not a double team) that occurs within the free blocking zone. And, if it happens immediately after the snap in the shotgun formation, it is legal.

 

It's kind of complicated, but the point is that a chop block is an illegal double-team "stand-em-up and cut-em-down" block, and a "cut block" is legal block below the waist by a single blocker between the tackles. Again, a "cut block" by a single O-lineman which occurs without delay at the snap, even in the shotgun formation, is legal.

 

In both cases, any delay is the key. Maybe that's the difference between the calls you saw.

 

For a cut block to be legal the ball must also be in the free blocking zone.

doubledeuce I think is pointing to the of the rule that causes issues. Like had been stated you can cut block as long as the ball has not left the free block zone. There are other things that go into it such as if the player being blocked was on the LOS. Depending on how you line up your OTs can be outside the freeblock zone also.

We are speaking hypothetically, of course. It would be difficult to keep your QB 7 yards behind the center if there are no hash marks on the field...and maybe difficult for the officials to determine whether or not he is seven yards back.

 

If they are not required, I am just wondering why everyone else goes to the expense (and trouble) of painting them on.

 

Had a TD called back (1 of 3) for QB not being "7 yards" behind center. Do not see how a offical can make that call when there is no hash marks to go by. I guess he has a tape measure in his head. And the Qb was 2 feet and 7 inches off.

In general, when in the gun, lineman can block below the waist if the action is immediately after the snap, with no delay, assuming FBZ requirements are all met. Any delay after the snap before the low block and officials are required to flag it because the ball has left the FBZ. This is the official interpretation of the rule in the KHSAA.

Had a TD called back (1 of 3) for QB not being "7 yards" behind center. Do not see how a offical can make that call when there is no hash marks to go by. I guess he has a tape measure in his head. And the Qb was 2 feet and 7 inches off.

 

It's called judgement.

It's called judgement.

 

In this particular case, it might be called "the need for glasses" then. The film clearly shows the QB in what had to be well over seven yards back.

 

But again...with no hashes marked, it would be hard to tell. I guess in this case it literally was home "FIELD" advantage.

It's called judgement.

 

Several examples of "poor judgement"

If the offense is in the shotgun, when the ball is snapped, there is no "free blocking zone" because the ball has to be in the zone. In the shotgun, it leaves immediately. And if the ball is in the free blocking zone, a blocker cannot come from outside the zone and cut block in the zone. Cut blocking is legal all the time as long as the blocker is one on one and he engages the defender high first.

Thanks. One more question. Would a lack of yard lines or hash marks actually make the field illegal?

 

The field is legal when the officials allow play to begin.

Had a TD called back (1 of 3) for QB not being "7 yards" behind center. Do not see how a offical can make that call when there is no hash marks to go by. I guess he has a tape measure in his head. And the Qb was 2 feet and 7 inches off.

 

The interesting part about this comment is that the term "QB" is used while questioning a rule that covers kicking situations.

 

It is perfectly legal for a team to exploit this rule to its advantage. But it seems a bit greedy to complain when it's not perfectly clear to the officials that the team is following the rules exception exactly as it's written.

If the offense is in the shotgun, when the ball is snapped, there is no "free blocking zone" because the ball has to be in the zone. In the shotgun, it leaves immediately.

That is completely false.

And if the ball is in the free blocking zone, a blocker cannot come from outside the zone and cut block in the zone.

That is true.

Cut blocking is legal all the time as long as the blocker is one on one and he engages the defender high first.

That is completely false.

I have been reading the posts on cutblocking above and certainly appreciate the input. I had never heard of this rule until this past Saturday when my son was called for illegal blocking when, as center, he "cut blocked" a blitzing linebacker after engaging the nose guard in a normal straight up block after snapping shotgun. I asked the refs after the game what he had done wrong and they explained to me that as center, he could not cut block at all when he was snapping shotgun whether it be a noseguard or linebacker blitzing. (This was a middle school game)

So....if I'm reading what offside has written correctly, my son can cut block noseguards after the snap as long as he doesn't delay his movement and he is NOT allowed to cut block any blitzing linebackers as there would be a delay after the snap before he hit them? Am I understanding correctly?

Edited September 16, 200818 yr by papagrit
I put in the word center instead of noseguard

Offside, I know that it will mean you have to do a lot of typing, but can you explain post #27?

I have been reading the posts on cutblocking above and certainly appreciate the input. I had never heard of this rule until this past Saturday when my son was called for illegal blocking when, as center, he "cut blocked" a blitzing linebacker after engaging the nose guard in a normal straight up block after snapping shotgun. I asked the refs after the game what he had done wrong and they explained to me that as center, he could not cut block at all when he was snapping shotgun whether it be a noseguard or linebacker blitzing. (This was a middle school game)

So....if I'm reading what offside has written correctly, my son can cut block noseguards after the snap as long as he doesn't delay his movement and he is NOT allowed to cut block any blitzing linebackers as there would be a delay after the snap before he hit them? Am I understanding correctly?

 

The bold part is correct. Offensive linemen may block defensive linemen below the waist in the free blocking zone provided the ball is still in the zone. Additionally, an immediate block (simultaneous with the snap, no delay) below the waist on a defensive lineman is legal from the shotgun formation. This is a KHSAA interpretation from a couple years back.

 

Blocks below the waist on linebackers are only legal if he lines up within one yard of his LOS at the snap. And if he does that, he's really not a linebacker anymore.