Video Play 1 - legal blocks
 

I know a lot of people out there love video plays. I am in the process of coverting a lot of game film to digital format for use in our association. I am going to post a couple of the plays that I think deserve some discussion. All of the plays run in real time first, and then 1/2 speed.

This play involves several close blocks by the offense. Do you think any of them are illegal?

Legal blocks?

I honestly don't think a single block here is close to being illegal. Can you specify (after you get enough replies) the ones you think are close?

Close probably wasn't the best choice in words. But unless we see the whole play (like the block by #75 white towards the end of the play) some officials will think these are illegal. In fact, I had the clock operator tell me we missed an IBB on this play, he has yet to show me on the film who it was on

I'm assuming the first block in question is by #77 (I think that's the number, its fuzzy--he starts the play at right tackle). Legal block, from the side, above the waist.

As the player reverses his field, there's another block that I can't get a number on. Can't see the whole play, but this block also appears to be from the side. Legal block.

As the runner turns upfield, another block is made--this one on Blue 77 (can't get the blocker's #). This is from the side, as #77 turned at the last minute. Legal block.

As the play ends, there appears to be block by White #4. This one, from what I can tell is a IBB. However, you could rule that the play was already over when the foul occured, and since it wasn't a PF, and it didn't have an affect on the play, you could go without a flag. But otherwise, this is an IBB.

Doesn't #77, the right guard, come over and shove a defender in the upper back, with both hands, and force the guy down, pretty close to the ballcarrier as he's reversing field?

I've got a BIB right there. Right guard.


I've got a legal block against blue 77.

Maybe we're talking about two different blocks.

That one on #77 is definately legal. He came nowhere close to blocking the player in the numbers, which is required to call a block in the back. Was it blind? Yes. Was it legal? You betcha.

That's not in the back. In the back means "between the shoulder blades." The block by the right guard is off to the side. It's a blindside block, but not a foul.

Between 8:25:03 and 8:25:04 on the time code?

Could be from the side. Looks to me like he got both hands behind the defender, but the video quality isn't really good enough to tell.

From ground level, you might not see it as well angle-wise.

Okay. Good to know. I knew it had to be in the trunk, I didn't know the trunk didn't start until you got to the shoulder blades.

It's defined in the definition section of the book as between the shoulders and below the helmet/above the waist.

It's also a pet peeve of mine to see a blindside, legal block called as an IBB. It gets coaches screaming at me to make the same call as others :)

All of these blocks are legal. Even the one right at the end of the play. There's a possible push in the back but it's after the runner is down. No foul.

All blocks are legal. The one block that looks the most suspect the defender cut in front of the blocker. I have got nothing.

Peace

REPLY: They all look legal to me.

Legal. Clearly from the side. Look how he fell. That's a good clue. He fell sideways.