blocking frame

[tskill]

Had a question on a block from the side and the frame of the man being blocked. Looking at the NF rules it looks like you would only be able to block them at the shoulder and below and no contact in the back. However I frequently see players block with either one hand on the front, one hand on the back when the other man is turned to his side. Is there any general accepted interpretation of the frame when the man is turned to his side? Do other refs call holding or an illegal block if the man is turned to his side and the man blocking puts a hand on the back or the front?

[MJT]

Originally posted by tskill
Had a question on a block from the side and the frame of the man being blocked. Looking at the NF rules it looks like you would only be able to block them at the shoulder and below and no contact in the back. However I frequently see players block with either one hand on the front, one hand on the back when the other man is turned to his side. Is there any general accepted interpretation of the frame when the man is turned to his side? Do other refs call holding or an illegal block if the man is turned to his side and the man blocking puts a hand on the back or the front?

The head does not matter although if the head is in front it is pretty hard to be a BIB. If head if back, that still does not mean it will always be a BIB. If one hand is on side, and one in back, he still has to push with the hand in the back.

One big help is to look at how the player falls. If he fall on his front/face, the block was in the back, but if he fall on his side, then contact came from the side. This can be a great aid in making the call.

Remember, if the player "turns" his back at the last second to bail out and make the contact in the back, it is NOT a BIB.