highschool football

[minermike]

I was at a highschool football game this friday here in Ca. I was unclear about a certain penalty that was thrown.
When the ball was snapped the fullback came right at the middle linebacker and to create a pile the middle linebacker took out the fullback's legs. The referee threw a penalty on the defense for chopping. I've never seen this called before. Was this a good call?
Thanks

[Blind in 1 eye]

Absolutely.
High school rule says only stationary players on the line (within one yard of the ball at the snap for defensive players) may block below the waist. Also this block must be the initial charge (no delay blocks alowed)
great call by this official.

PS legal block in NCAA and NFL.

[Snake~eyes]

9-3-2
A player shall not block an opponent below the waist except:
a. In the free-blocking zone when the contact meets the requirements of 2-17.
b. To tackle a runner or player pretending to be a runner

9-3-6
A player shall not chop block.

2-17-2
Blocking below the waist is permitted in the free-blocking zone when the following conditions are met:
a. All players involved in the blocking are on the line of scrimmage and in the zone at the snap.
b. The contact is in the zone.

2-3-9
Chop block is a delayed block at the knees or below against an opponent who is in contact with a teammate of the blocker in the free blocking zone.


[Edited by Snake~eyes on Nov 2nd, 2003 at 09:05 PM]

[Warrenkicker]

You may be getting your calls mixed up a little here. As described this is an illegal block below the waist. A chop block is a combination block by any players where the second player blocking hits the opponent below the waist after he was initially and currently blocked by the first player.

Illegal block below the waist might be described as clipping but just from the front.

The signal for illegal block below the waist is a chopping motion with both hands at the knees. The signal for chop block is a chopping motion with both hands at the hips.

[Snake~eyes]

That's why I posted both rules, because original poster described block below the waist but said it was a chop block.

[Warrenkicker]

Originally posted by Snake~eyes
That's why I posted both rules, because original poster described block below the waist but said it was a chop block.

I wasn't aiming at you though.