Quote:
Originally posted by sportswriter
Quote:
Originally posted by JimNayzium
i gave in and started telling my blockers to aim for the thigh pad and the defender will put his hands on you and you will be fine. we have done this in all four games, and not one call for block below the waist in the open field....
|
Be lucky you don't play north of the border. The only folks that can block below the waist in NHFS are in the free block zone (what we call the mayhem zone) with conditions. Both the blocked and blocking player must be in the mayhem zone, and there's a zillion other things I can't remember at this hour (I don't usually ref NHFS).
However, one thing is true: open field blocks below the waist are illegal. Hand contact does not negate that infraction. If a blocker starts the block above the waist, in the front, and the contacted is maintained while the blocked player turns - this isn't a block from behind. If through sustained contact, a block above/in front ends up as a block from behind or a block below, that's legal.
You are coaching your kids to perform an illegal act.
|
Jim, the officials in your area have obviously had much discussion about these blocks and have determined that they are going to allow them. They are basing this decision on Case Plays of 2-3-7 and the play shown in the Simplified and Illustrated book on page 19, also of Rule 2-3-7. It does, in fact, say "...the player being blocked can generally protect himself against significant lower-leg contact if he has his hands on the blocker during initial contact". I am surprised you have not been called for it if your kids are doing it regularly and intentionally. I believe you would see the flags come out in our area.