a play from my last JV game still bugs me.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by RoyGardner

There's a good reason that it's called a "block in the back". A player has a front, a left and right side, and a back, and the block is a foul only if it's a block in the back and the initial force must be to the back.

I've seen lots of flags for "side hits" where the block was not in the back, and the blockee clearly knew that the block was coming. Flags that should not have been thrown.

I would talk to the calling official next time you see him and ask his view of what a block in the back really is. And additionally, the position of the blockers helmet is not a reliable indicator of a "legal/illegal" block.

I like this, except for the part where you say "the blockee clearly knew the block was coming." That's irrelevant. I keep hammering on my crew -- it's gotta be between the shoulder blades for there to be a flag. Lotsa times the blocked player is blindsided, but the block is on the side.