I have two questions ...we use the IHSA FOOTBALL RULE BOOK for our youth football league. They are as follows: many teams are using the play when a player stays close to the team on the sidelines as his team huddles and then runs a play and the player runs down the field for a pass as the kids thought he was on the side line which he never left the field or he just steps on the field from the side lines..#2 can a running back on a sweep or any other play cut block on our def end I was told that in IHSA you cannot cut block??? thanks for your answer. jeff

If your rules are NFHS, both plays are illegal. #1, all players must be within 15 yards of ball, #2, only A players may block below the waist if they are in the free blocking zone at time of snap, before the ball leaves the FBZ

Thanks for your reply so does this mean if the ball is on the hash closest to the bench a player if he is within 15 yards can come off the bench just step on the field near the sideline and be legal to catch a pass??? also under what situation can a running back block below the waist on an offensive play// thanks jeff

Illegal. A player must not use the substitution process in an attempt to deceive (Rule 9-6-4c - 15 yard penalty for Illegal Participation).

It MAY also be illegal because the player must have been momentarily within 15 yards of the ball when the ready-for-play whistle is blown.

If you mean block below the waist, no. In order to block below the waist, BOTH players must have been on the line of scrimmage at the snap, the contact is in the free-blocking zone(FBZ), and the ball is still in the FBZ.

Nope. Illegal. See the rule I cited above.

A running back cannot block below the waist because he is not on the line of scrimmage at the snap.