H.S. 10 yd. block in the back ...

[Zeke5]

I know Pennsylvania was an experimental state last
year with the addition of a 10 yd. block in the
back rule (as opposed to the clipping 15 yarder).

What other states used it last year in HS, and how
did it go? Will this be an amendment soon?

I hope.

[Rick KY]

Kentucky also used this rule during 2000 season. Officials I know liked the rule change, and it fits well with the dual facemask, and the roughing/running inot the kicker/holder fouls. Most I worked with think this rule should change permanently.

[tasref]

In Texas we play High School ball under NCAA rules which has that.

[Middleman]

State Association adoption notwithstanding, many officials already call this block (in the back above the waist) illegal use of the hands, blocking outside the frame of the opponents body instead of calling it clipping. In doing so they take it upon themselves to turn the 15-yard penalty into a 10-yarder.

[Rick KY]

Middleman, for an official to do that is wrong. Under NF rule 2-5-1b clipping is defined in part as pushing by use of hands or arms on an opponent's back. To arbitrarily change the call would be wrong, without the change in the rule as adopted by KY last season. I understand we may be splitting hairs here, but the written rule is what gives you authority.

[Zeke5]

Middleman,

When you say "many officials", do you mean that random
officials make use of the IUH across your state, or it
has been an adopted consistently within most (not all)
officiating chapters in your state? Have the coaches been
made aware of this in local rules clinics?

I couldn't imagine coaching a team and getting the IUH
call all year then get to the playoffs to find my kids
getting nailed with clipping for the same offense just
because we drew an official who "chose" not to adopt the
bent rule. Kinda fishy ... and dangerous ...

[Larry Gonski]

In California, we strickly go by federation rules.....