NCAA blocking below the waist
 

We are doing a D-II spring game on Saturday. Someone review the blocking below the waist situation for NCAA and how it differs from Fed.

Any other obvious differences?

Thanks

One of the best summaries on the BBW rule:
http://members.atlantic.net/~gilbertr/b-9702ax.htm

Fed: A BBW is illegal, except for a few exceptions.
NCAA: A BBW is legal, except for a few exceptions.

Fed: The only time a BBW is legal is:
1. In the FBZ by B linemen against A linemen -or- A linemen against B linemen
2. Against the runner (or a player pretending to be the runner) in the process of tackling.
Everything else is illegal.

NCAA: Legal everywhere except:
1. Offensive linemen positioned 7 or more yards outside of the middle offensive lineman cannot block back toward the ball in, behind, or up to 10 yards beyond the NZ. "north-south" blocks are OK

2. Backs positioned outside the normal offensive tackle position cannot block back toward the ball in, behind, or up to 10 yards beyond the NZ. "north-south" blocks are OK

3. #2 applies to backs in motion anywhere, including backs running in place.

4. Team B players cannot block eligible receivers below the waist beyond the NZ or any Team A player behind the NZ if that player is in position to receive a backward pass.

5. No BBW is allowed anywhere by anyone after a COP.

6. No BBW is allowed anywhere by anyone during an entire down where there is a free kick or a scrimmage kick from an SK formation.

One minor correction on this one.

Once a forward pass is no longer possible by rule the receiver may be blocked below the waist beyond the NZ.

e.g.: QB attempts to throw the ball only to have it batted back by a D lineman. He catches the ball and looks for an open receiver. The receiver may be blocked below the waist because a 2nd forward pass is not allowed by rule.

Another example, is the QB runs beyond the NZ then retreats back behind it (as you can do in fed) a forward pass is no longer allowed by rule and therefore a receiver can be BBW.

The best graphical representation of this rule can be found here.

http://www.eaifo2.org/Links/Ncaa.html

Under 2004, there is a PDF file regarding Blocking below the Waist. I use it before every pre-game.