Illegal Blocking

[Bob M.]

REPLY: Actually, for Federation (most high schools)it has a little to do with "the box." It has more to do with position. In Federation, only blocks lineman against lineman are allowed to be below the waist. And those blocks must occur in the box and before the ball has left the box.

For NCAA, it's a littl more complicated. Blocking below the waist is permitted except:
1. Offensive linemen at the snap positioned more than seven yards from the middle lineman of the offensive formation are prohibited from blocking below the waist toward the original position of the ball in or behind the neutral zone and within 10 yards beyond the neutral zone.
2. Backs at the snap positioned with the frame of their body completely outside the frame of the body of the normal tackle (second player from the snapper) position in either direction toward a sideline, or in motion at the snap, are prohibited from blocking below the waist toward the original position of the ball in or behind the neutral zone and within 10 yards beyond the neutral zone.
3. During a scrimmage down, defensive players are prohibited from blocking an eligible Team A receiver below the waist beyond the neutral zone unless attempting to get at the ball or runner. A Team A receiver remains eligible until a legal forward pass is no longer possible by rule.
4. During a down in which there is a free kick or scrimmage kick from a scrimmage kick formation, all players are prohibited from blocking below the waist, except against the runner.
5. After any change of team possession, all players are prohibited from blocking below the waist, except against the runner.
6. A Team A player behind the neutral zone and in position to receive a backward pass shall not be blocked below the waist or contacted by way of a personal foul.