free blocking zone

[Bob M.]

Originally Posted by yankeesfan

does a defensive player have to be within 1 yard or 3 yards of the ball to be in the free blocking zone? also, if the defense is within the free blocking zone can there be a high/low(chop) hit if the ball is still in the zone?

REPLY: To be within the FBZ, a defensive player must be within 3 yards of his defensive LOS. However, be aware that certain blocking rules that require that a defender be within one yard of the LOS, e.g. the right to block him below the waist. And, a chop block is always illegal and for that block the FBZ is immaterial.