NFHS "Low Block" on defense

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by PaulJak

I think the focus here is on the lead blockers. Blocker is the key here, they are not pretending to be runners. A pulling guard or tackle, the lead back, these are the people who are getting illegally cut.

I know for me, I start watching those lead blockers for potential holds and its not always in my mind to be aware of them getting cut. We've just got to be aware that they can't be cut down when clearing the way.

There's no harm done cutting down a lead blocker once he's thru the hole, which you can hardly distinguish from getting low and in the way of the runner or submarining in an attempt to avoid a block. What the rule is against is the tactic of cutting pulling linemen as they're pulling across the backfield getting to the hole. Defenses had been formulated to make use of their back side linemen, who would wind up uselessly behind the play, by throwing them across the path of pulling OLs. When the current restrictions on BBW were adopted, it must've been this tactic they had in mind when they made it legal for team A but not team B.

Robert

[MJT]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

There's no harm done cutting down a lead blocker once he's thru the hole, which you can hardly distinguish from getting low and in the way of the runner or submarining in an attempt to avoid a block. What the rule is against is the tactic of cutting pulling linemen as they're pulling across the backfield getting to the hole. Defenses had been formulated to make use of their back side linemen, who would wind up uselessly behind the play, by throwing them across the path of pulling OLs. When the current restrictions on BBW were adopted, it must've been this tactic they had in mind when they made it legal for team A but not team B.

Robert

Robert, there are 2 things you stated that I do not understand. I assume you are talking about NF rules here.

1. You said "there's no harm done cutting down a lead blocker once he's thru the hole," which is a foul unless "the players are on the LOS and in the FBZ at the snap, the contact is in the zone, and the ball is still in the zone."
You also said "submarining in an attempt to avoid a block" is ok, which it is not unless "the players are on the LOS and in the FBZ at the snap, the contact is in the zone, and the ball is still in the zone."

2. It seems you are you saying that B cannot cut A if the players are on the LOS and in the FBZ at the snap, the contact is in the zone, and the ball is still in the zone? If so, you are incorrect. Both A and B can BBW if the 3 points I mentioned above are in place.

[bigjohn]

once the ball leaves the zone the zone disintegrates. It does not reappear if the ball reenters the zone. Pulling guards can not be cut by DLs unless the QB keeps the ball in the zone to run it or hand it off. In shotgun it definately leaves the zone immediately.

I often see LBs start out of the zone and then cut the lead blocker who was also out of the zone at the snap. Seldom if ever is this called.