Free Blocking Zone

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by patalia

. If below the knees, you have a chop block. It may help to remember that you can never have clipping or illegal blocks below the waist by linesman against linesman who are in the FBZ and the ball is still in the FBZ. The only thing you can ever have is a chop block. .

Perhaps I'm reading what you intended wrong, but the other two parts of the REQUIREMENTS for a "Chop Block" are 1. the block must be delayed, and (2) The opponent must be in contact with a teammate of the low blocker.

An offensive lineman making an immediate initial contact at the ankles of an opponent, who is NOT in contact with a teammate of the blocker, who was on the line at the snap, while the ball is still in the FBZ is making a perfectly legal block.

All "Chop Blocks" are blocks below the knee in the FBZ, but NOT all blocks below the knee in the FBZ are "Chop Blocks".

[movingthechains]

Originally Posted by patalia

By rule, the dive block by the linesman is only illegal if it is at or below the knees. Otherwise, it is a legal clip. I am not advocating whether or not this should be called if above the knees, I am just stating the rules. If below the knees, you have a chop block. It may help to remember that you can never have clipping or illegal blocks below the waist by linesman against linesman who are in the FBZ and the ball is still in the FBZ. The only thing you can ever have is a chop block. How far above the knee you want to call this is up to you, but by rule, it is a chop block when at or below the knee. Whenever you can establish these absolutes in regards to rules, it can definitely help to determine if you had a foul or not. Once you know you can't have clipping or blocking below the waist, it only leaves one choice. Then all you have to do is determine if the action meets the criteria for the remaining choice. Same thing can be said for the new horse-collar rule. If the runner fumbles, you know you can't a horse-collar, but you could still have a PF if the action warrants it. Same principle. Already knowing what it can't be gives you less to sift through in determining fouls.

Great point, thanks!!