crackback blocks

Biscuit · #1 (**permalink**) Mon Aug 29, 2005, 11:45am

I'm a relatively new official. This past weekend we worked a four team scrimmage and one of the other officials told me that I needed to watch out for one of the teams that was crackbacking. He said that when an A player is out wide and then comes back towards the middle to block he can only seal off a defender, but can not actually hit him. I can't find that in the rulebook anywhere. Obviously, the A player couldn't hit the B player below the knees or in the back, but assuming it's a clean block, isn't it legal?

JRutledge · #2 (**permalink**) Mon Aug 29, 2005, 11:55am

Your partner is wrong. The term "crack back" block is mainly an NFL term to clarify what kind of contact a player cannot do (block below the waist) from basically a receiver position. I am not sure the term "crack back" is even used in the NF rulebook (I cannot speak for NCAA rules). You can block anyone on the field with as much contact if you do so legally (block below the waist, block in the back, butt blocking are examples of illegal blocks).

Peace

grantsrc · #3 (**permalink**) Mon Aug 29, 2005, 12:04pm

Don't know where the term came from but it is commonly used. Not found in books though.

The concept that I think he was getting at is watching the wideout blocking down towards the TE or T. The WO runs downfield some, and heads back towards the spot of the snap, usually looking for the DE or DT, mabye an OLB. If he contacts him, it must be a clean block, ie. no clipping or block in the back.

Crackbacks are legal, as long as they fit the description of a legal block. Usually HS players don't fully understand the concept of a crackback and block someone in the back.

TXMike · #4 (**permalink**) Mon Aug 29, 2005, 12:04pm

Crack back" is not in the NCAA book. The prohibition applies to blocks below the waist but other than that the wideout can "crack back" and block.

Patton · #5 (**permalink**) Mon Aug 29, 2005, 12:06pm

You're correct, there's no mention of crackback blocking in the rule book, but is a term often used in describing a block by a receiver on a linebacker. The only illegal blocks are below the waist, in the back, or in the back and below the waist (clipping). It's your responsibilty to watch that "crackback" to make sure it is a legal block. Coaches always seem to want a clip or BIB when their linebacker gets blindsided by a receiver, but getting blindsided doesn't necessarily mean that the block was illegal. Good luck, and keep asking questions.

aoaoffish · #6 (**permalink**) Mon Aug 29, 2005, 12:28pm

I can speak from experience. In high school I was an outside linebacker, I was crack blocked all the time. I would estimate that 50% of the time it was an illegal block. It seemed like when the receiver wanted to crack block, it was either on an option or sweep to my side, my first reaction was to head upfield to tackle the pitch man. As I'm running away from the wide out towards the ball my back would be exposed to the wide out, he either opted to not block, or block me in the back.

dumbref · #7 (**permalink**) Mon Aug 29, 2005, 12:40pm

One thing I agree with you partner - it is a must see block. Up to you to determine if it was legal as stated above.

JDLJ · #8 (**permalink**) Mon Aug 29, 2005, 01:10pm

This is from the NFHS Handbook Page 66 "The crackback block can be legal and it can be a very effective offensive weapon. It requires finesse and skill. The defense must be protected from its illegal use, however."

"Officials use established guidelines to determine whether a crackback block is legal.... If the offensive player's upper body contacts the front or the side of the the defensive player above the waiset, the block is undounbtably legal."...

TXMike · #9 (**permalink**) Mon Aug 29, 2005, 04:45pm

Sitting on my Chapter's film review committee, one of the most frequently incorrectly called fouls we saw was the block in the back by the wideout coming back in on a LB. Under NCAA rules, if that block is not almost square in the numbers, it is NOT in the back. It can often look like it was a block in the back but it is actually a block in the side (and position of blocker's head has nothing to do with it).

JugglingReferee · #10 (**permalink**) Mon Aug 29, 2005, 05:18pm

Quote:

Originally posted by Biscuit
I'm a relatively new official. This past weekend we worked a four team scrimmage and one of the other officials told me that I needed to watch out for one of the teams that was crackbacking. He said that when an A player is out wide and then comes back towards the middle to block he can only seal off a defender, but can not actually hit him. I can't find that in the rulebook anywhere. Obviously, the A player couldn't hit the B player below the knees or in the back, but assuming it's a clean block, isn't it legal?

A crackback block is illegal in Canada also. In 4-man, the wings watch for it. In 6-man, the deep guys pick it up.

WyMike · #11 (**permalink**) Mon Aug 29, 2005, 05:52pm

I Winged last year and there is nothing more powerful than watching a WO turn back towards the ball and line up on a LB. KAH-RACKKKKK!!! and the poor LB is dizzy for two more plays. But he does look over his shoulder more often and check up on the WO!

Coaches will work you either way, it was an "illegal crackback" if it was their LB which got nailed and it's a "good hit" when it's their WO which does the crackin'.

Reminds me of the old Detroit vs. Colorado hockey battles and blindside checking along the boards which went on. Brutal.

I'd say it was close to a 50/50 between legal block and BIB. Make your calls as you see them and have fun!

WM

Snake~eyes · #12 (**permalink**) Mon Aug 29, 2005, 09:24pm

Crackback block by coaches definition is a wideout who comes in and blocks someone in tight, usually the d-end. It can be an illegal block but if done properly, it can be a great legal block.