RULE 2-3-1
obstructing an opponent
LEGAL BLOCKING TECHNIQUES
Closed/Cupped Hands
1.
Elbows inside -or- outside the shoulders.
2.
Hands closed or cupped.
Palms may not face opponent.
No more than 45 degrees.
3.
4.
LEGAL BLOCKING TECHNIQUES
Open Hand Technique
Hands Must Be
1.
2.
3.
4.
advance of elbows
inside the frame
at or below the shoulders
open - not closed or clamped
LEGAL BLOCKING TECHNIQUES
Remember
1.
2.
3.
hands may not be locked.
may not swing, throw, or flip the elbow or
forearm, nor may he punch
above opponent's shoulder is illegal
(Unless the opponent ducks, squats or submarines.)
ILLEGAL BLOCKING TECHNIQUES
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Butt Blocking
Blocking Below the Waist
Chop Blocking
Clipping
Block After a Fair Catch Signal
Blocking of a Kicker or Holder of a Free Kick
Tripping
Interlocked Blocking
Blocks In The Back
RULE 2-3-8
Butt Blocking is an act by an offensive or
defensive player who initiates contact against
an opponent who is not a ball carrier with the
front of his helmet.
RULE 2-3-7
Blocking Below The Waist making initial contact
below the waist of an opponent
RULE 2-3-9
Chop Blocking a delayed block at the knees or
below an opponent who is in contact with a
teammate in the Free Blocking Zone.
FIRST BLOCK
High
Low
SECOND BLOCK
Low
Low
RULING
Chop Block
Chop Block
RULE 2-5-1a
Clipping charging or falling into the back of, or
across the back of the legs of an opponent
not a runner or pretending
RULE 9-3-3
Any block made after giving a Fair Catch Signal
RULE 9-3-4
Blocking a Kicker of Holder of a Free Kick player
travels 5 yards beyond his Free Kick Line or has
touched the ground or any other player.
RULE 2-4-4
Tripping lower leg or foot to obstruct an
opponent below the knee
who is not the runner.
ILLEGAL BLOCKING TECHNIQUES
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Butt Blocking
Blocking Below the Waist
Chop Blocking
Clipping
Block After a Fair Catch Signal
Blocking of a Kicker or Holder of a Free Kick
Tripping
Interlocked Blocking
Blocks In The Back
Penalty: 15 yards. All-But-One principle.
Penalty: 15 yards. All-But-One principle.
RULE 9-2-1c & 9-2-3c
Holding & Illegal Use of Hands may not use his
hands, arms or legs to:
1. Hook
4. Grasp
2. Lock
5. Encircle
3. Clamp
6. Hold
In an effort to restrain an opponent.
(Other than the runner or ball carrier.)
RULE 9-2-3
DEFENSIVELY
Pushing or shoving a teammate
Pulling an opponent
Things To Consider:
1. Effect on the play.
2. "Point Of Attack."
3. Advantage / Disadvantage.
4. Grasping, grabbing, tackling.
5. Hands or arms used to clamp, hook or lock up the
opponent.
6. Takedowns.
When To Make A Holding Call:
1. "Point of Attack."
2. part of the play and creates Advantage/Disadvantage.
3. visibly evident.
4. effect on the outcome of the play.
Penalty: 10 yards. All-But-One principle.
RULE 2-5-1b
Illegal Block In The Back
Pushing above the waist on an opponent's back.
Penalty: 10 yards. All-But-One principle.
FREE BLOCKING ZONE
RULE 2-17-1
rectangular area extending 4 yards on either side
of the football and 3 yards behind each line of
scrimmage.
8 yard by 6 yard area
1.
2.
3.
FREE BLOCKING ZONE
(2-17-2a) ) Blocking below the waist is permitted
both offensive and defensive players who are: in
the zone, on the line, at the snap.
blocks below the waist by offensive linemen
who are in the zone against defensive players
who are on the line ONLY!
Defensive players on the defensive line of
scrimmage + within one yard of their line of
scrimmage, may both block and be blocked
below the waist.
FREE BLOCKING ZONE
block below the waist WHO ARE NOT:
in the zone
on the line
at the snap
ILLEGAL!
FREE BLOCKING ZONE
Blocks below the waist made by
backs, linebackers, ends, safety, cornerbacks,
not on line
not in the zone
ALWAYS ILLEGAL!
Clipping by offensive is legal only in the zone
until it disintegrated.
ANY QUESTIONS?
TRUE or FALSE
1. A block in the back is defined as a block with contact inside the
shoulders, below the helmet and above the waist.
True; 2-5-2, 2-5-3
2. A chop block is a legal block within the 6 x 8 yard free-blocking
zone.
False; 2-3-8, 9-3-6
3. The runner may be legally clipped.
True; 2-5-1
4. Any player in the free-blocking zone, at the time of the snap, may
block below the waist.
False; 2-17-2 a
ANY QUESTIONS?
TRUE or FALSE
5. The neutral zone is established after the snapper has made final
adjustment of the ball.
False; 2-28-1,2.
6. The line of scrimmage for each team is determined when the ball
is marked ready-for-play.
True; 2-25-1
7. An offensive player may push, pull or lift the runner to assist his
forward progress.
False; POE #4