Legal/Illegal Legal/Illegal BlockingBlockingPresented by Mike SearsPresented by Mike Sears

DefinitionsDefinitions

The key to any ruleThe key to any rule

What is blocking?What is blocking?

Rule 2, Section 3, Art. 1Rule 2, Section 3, Art. 1... Blocking is ... Blocking is obstructing an opponent by contacting obstructing an opponent by contacting him with any part of the blocker’s body.him with any part of the blocker’s body.

Closed hand TechniqueClosed hand Technique

Closed or cupped hand technique:Closed or cupped hand technique:   1.1.The elbows may be inside or outside the The elbows may be inside or outside the

shoulders.shoulders.   2.2.The hands must be closed or cupped with the The hands must be closed or cupped with the

palms not facing the opponent.palms not facing the opponent.   3.3.The forearms are extended no more than 45 The forearms are extended no more than 45

degrees from the body.degrees from the body.  

Open Hand TechniqueOpen Hand Technique

Open hand technique. The hand(s) shall be:Open hand technique. The hand(s) shall be:   1.1.In advance of the elbow.In advance of the elbow.   2.2.Inside the frame of the blocker’s body; the frame of the Inside the frame of the blocker’s body; the frame of the

blocker’s body is the front of the body at or below the blocker’s body is the front of the body at or below the shoulders.shoulders.  

3.3.Inside the frame of the opponent’s body, except when the Inside the frame of the opponent’s body, except when the opponent turns his back to the blocker during the block or after opponent turns his back to the blocker during the block or after the blocker is committed to his charge. The frame of the the blocker is committed to his charge. The frame of the opponent’s body is at the shoulders or below other than the opponent’s body is at the shoulders or below other than the back.back.  

4.4.At or below the shoulders of the blocker and the opponent, At or below the shoulders of the blocker and the opponent, except when the opponent squats, ducks or submarines during except when the opponent squats, ducks or submarines during the block or after the blocker is committed to his charge.the block or after the blocker is committed to his charge.  

5.5.Open, when the palm(s) are facing the frame of the Open, when the palm(s) are facing the frame of the opponent or when the forearms are extended beyond the 45 opponent or when the forearms are extended beyond the 45 degree angle from the body.degree angle from the body.

HoldingHolding

Understanding and Detecting The Understanding and Detecting The FoulFoul

Rule 9-2-1Rule 9-2-1

An offensive player (except the runner) An offensive player (except the runner) shall not: shall not: Use a blocking technique which is not Use a blocking technique which is not

permissible by rule. (See 2-3-2, 3) permissible by rule. (See 2-3-2, 3) Grasp or encircle any teammate to form Grasp or encircle any teammate to form

interlocked blocking. interlocked blocking. Use his hands, arms or legs to hook, lock, Use his hands, arms or legs to hook, lock,

clamp, grasp, encircle or hold in an effort to clamp, grasp, encircle or hold in an effort to restrain an opponentrestrain an opponent. .

Widely Held PhilosophyWidely Held Philosophy

We only call holding when a player is We only call holding when a player is truly impeded from making a play at the truly impeded from making a play at the point of attack.point of attack.

Make a judgment. Was the player truly Make a judgment. Was the player truly restricted from making a play?restricted from making a play?

If a player runs right through a blocker If a player runs right through a blocker who was trying to hold him, there should who was trying to hold him, there should be no foul.be no foul.

Holding ClassificationsHolding Classifications

Bear HugBear Hug Arms are wrapped around an opponent outside the frame and Arms are wrapped around an opponent outside the frame and

player’s movement is restricted by this.player’s movement is restricted by this. Wrap/Grab & TurnWrap/Grab & Turn

Hands on outside of shoulders and opponent is actually turned or Hands on outside of shoulders and opponent is actually turned or bent to the side or pulled to the ground.bent to the side or pulled to the ground.

Shoulder DipShoulder Dip Player’s shoulder dip because blocker has pulled his chest down to Player’s shoulder dip because blocker has pulled his chest down to

prevent him from making a play on the ball carrier.prevent him from making a play on the ball carrier. Shirt StretchShirt Stretch

As a player tries to disengage, his shirt is pulled outward by the As a player tries to disengage, his shirt is pulled outward by the blocker who is illegally holding him.blocker who is illegally holding him.

Grab of the Leg or armGrab of the Leg or arm A player who has fallen grabs an opponent by the leg.A player who has fallen grabs an opponent by the leg.

The Dance with No FoulThe Dance with No Foul

Opponents facing off.Opponents facing off. Offensive lineman’s technique isn’t quite Offensive lineman’s technique isn’t quite

legal but the defensive makes absolutely legal but the defensive makes absolutely no attempt at getting to the ball carrier.no attempt at getting to the ball carrier.

This doesn’t deserve a flag because the This doesn’t deserve a flag because the defender was not restricted by the illegal defender was not restricted by the illegal actions of his opponent.actions of his opponent.

Examples of Defensive Examples of Defensive Holding FoulsHolding Fouls

““Pull and Shoot”.Pull and Shoot”. Defense tackles a pulling blocker.Defense tackles a pulling blocker. Defense tackles the pitchman before he Defense tackles the pitchman before he

has the ball.has the ball. Holding an eligible receiver from going Holding an eligible receiver from going

into his pass pattern.into his pass pattern. Others?Others?

The Free Blocking The Free Blocking ZoneZoneWhen certain types of blocks are When certain types of blocks are legallegal

The Free Blocking ZoneThe Free Blocking Zone

4 yards on each side of the ball. 3 yards 4 yards on each side of the ball. 3 yards to the front and back of the ball.to the front and back of the ball.

Players are in the zone when any part of Players are in the zone when any part of their body is in the zone (at the snap).their body is in the zone (at the snap).

Free blocking zone disintegrates and Free blocking zone disintegrates and previously legal blocks are now illegal previously legal blocks are now illegal once the ball leaves the zone.once the ball leaves the zone.

Blocking Below the Blocking Below the WaistWaist

Players on their LinePlayers on their Line

Offensive PlayersOffensive Players On the line when any part of their body On the line when any part of their body

breaks an imaginary plane through the waist breaks an imaginary plane through the waist of the snapper.of the snapper.

Defensive PlayersDefensive Players When any part of their body is within one When any part of their body is within one

yard of the line of scrimmage.yard of the line of scrimmage.

DefinitionDefinition

Making initial contact from the front or Making initial contact from the front or side against an opponent other than the side against an opponent other than the runner.runner.

Only applies if opponent has one or both Only applies if opponent has one or both feet on the ground.feet on the ground.

When BBW is LegalWhen BBW is Legal

By player on the line of scrimmage and in By player on the line of scrimmage and in the free blocking zone at the snap.the free blocking zone at the snap.

Against opponents who are on the line Against opponents who are on the line and in the free blocking zone at the snap.and in the free blocking zone at the snap.

Contact occurs in the free blocking zoneContact occurs in the free blocking zone Football has not left the free blocking Football has not left the free blocking

zone.zone.

Key – Initial ContactKey – Initial Contact

If the initial contact is above the waist If the initial contact is above the waist and the blocker slides down below the and the blocker slides down below the waist while maintaining contact, the block waist while maintaining contact, the block is legal.is legal.

If initial contact is on the hands and the If initial contact is on the hands and the player blocks below the waist, this is also player blocks below the waist, this is also legal.legal.

See the whole actionSee the whole action

Common BBW FoulsCommon BBW Fouls

Backs who block defenders low on a sweep play or in Backs who block defenders low on a sweep play or in pass protection.pass protection.

Wide outs who block defenders low.Wide outs who block defenders low. Kicking team members who try to break up the wedge Kicking team members who try to break up the wedge

by blocking low.by blocking low. Tackles/TE’s who go out of the zone to block linemen, Tackles/TE’s who go out of the zone to block linemen,

linebackers below the waist.linebackers below the waist. Linemen/Running Backs who block linebackers who Linemen/Running Backs who block linebackers who

aren’t on the line below the waist.aren’t on the line below the waist. A A delayeddelayed BBW when a team is in shotgun formation. BBW when a team is in shotgun formation.

Block in the BackBlock in the Back

Definition of Block in the Definition of Block in the BackBack

Making Making initial contactinitial contact from behind and from behind and above the waist against an opponent who above the waist against an opponent who is not the runner.is not the runner.

When BIB is legalWhen BIB is legal

By offensive lineman who are on the line By offensive lineman who are on the line and in the zone at the snap.and in the zone at the snap.

Against ANY defensive player who is in Against ANY defensive player who is in the zone at the snap.the zone at the snap.

Block occurs in the free blocking zone.Block occurs in the free blocking zone. Ball has never left free blocking zone.Ball has never left free blocking zone.

Common Times BIB Fouls Common Times BIB Fouls OccurOccur

Long run plays with aggressive downfield Long run plays with aggressive downfield blockers who are behind an opponent.blockers who are behind an opponent.

During any play involving a kick.During any play involving a kick. When a quarterback begins to scramble When a quarterback begins to scramble

around.around. Wide sweep plays.Wide sweep plays.

Definition of ClippingDefinition of Clipping

Making initial contact from behind and Making initial contact from behind and below the waist against an opponent who below the waist against an opponent who is not the runner.is not the runner.

When Clipping is legalWhen Clipping is legal

Can only be done by offensive linemen Can only be done by offensive linemen who are in the zone at the snap.who are in the zone at the snap.

Can only be done against defensive Can only be done against defensive linemen who are on the line and in the linemen who are on the line and in the zone at the snap.zone at the snap.

Block occurs in the free blocking zone.Block occurs in the free blocking zone. Ball has never left free blocking zone.Ball has never left free blocking zone.

Common Times Clipping Common Times Clipping Fouls OccurFouls Occur

““Statement Blocks”. Blocker is trying to Statement Blocks”. Blocker is trying to make a statement to an opponent.make a statement to an opponent.

A poorly timed clip after the FBZ has A poorly timed clip after the FBZ has disintegrated.disintegrated.

When Legal Blocks or 10 When Legal Blocks or 10 yard illegal blocking fouls yard illegal blocking fouls Become Personal FoulsBecome Personal Fouls

Blocking players who are obviously out of a Blocking players who are obviously out of a play and not moving with an intention to play and not moving with an intention to participate is illegal and this is a personal foul.participate is illegal and this is a personal foul.

Players who are “head hunting” need to be Players who are “head hunting” need to be penalized for this act.penalized for this act.

Blasting a player in the back away from the Blasting a player in the back away from the play is more appropriately called a personal play is more appropriately called a personal foul, not a block in the back.foul, not a block in the back.