Free Blocking Zone and the Shotgun (NFHS)

[UmpJM]

Gentleman,

I am looking for clarification on the rules concerning the Free Blocking Zone when the offense uses a shotgun formation with the quarterback lined up more than 3 yds. behind the line of scrimmage.

Rule 2-17-5 states:

Art. 5... The free-blocking zone disintegrates and the exception for a player to block below the waist and/or the exception for an offensive lineman to clip and/or block in the back is not to continue after the ball has left the zone.

Does this mean that there is no free-blocking zone when the offense uses the shotgun (snap receiver more than 3 yds. behind LOS) or is the "disintegration" of the FBZ properly interpreted as a more gradual thing.

Can't find anything in the Rules Book or Case Book that explicitly addresses this.

Thanks.

JM