free blocking zone
 

First year official looking for easy explanation of the free blocking zone. I know both A and B players have to be within the zone 4 yards latterally each side of the ball and 3 yards deep. So when does the free blocking zone die? I know when the ball leaves. Is the ball considered to have left when the qb gives a basic handoff to the running back. Because most running backs are 5 yards behind the LOS. Any clarification would be extremely helpful.

Yup, it disintegrates when the ball has left the zone, so it was out well before a handoff 5 yards back.

You really can't simplify it more than "the ball has left the zone". Earlier versions of the rule stated the BBW had to be the initial charge if I recall correctly.

Both a and b players need to have started on the line in order to take advantage of the free blocking zone. i.e. You may not block a linebacker below the waist even though he started in the zone because he was not on the LOS at the snap.

Here is something that might help in a much more descriptive way.

Blocking Presentation

Peace

Not necessarily
 

Just because the RB started 5 yards back doesn't mean the ball left the zone...if the running back comes forward and takes the handoff still in the zone then the ball is still in the zone.

It only matters where the ball is located, not who has it, where they started or where they are...only the location of the ball matters in determining if the zone has disintegrated yet.

True for clipping and block below the waist however A may block a B player in thr back if the A player is on the line and in the zone and the B player is in the zone at the snap. The B player doesn't need to be on the line.

If a ball has not yet entered the FBZ, how could it have already disintegrated? If the FBZ disappears at the handoff, does it come back alive when the runner enters the FBZ? Just asking.

Once the FBZ disintegrates it is gone until the next down.

It is like the magic yellow line on TV games. It appears and disappears based on where the ball is. Cool!

JRut, any chance you have that presentation with the videos working? That would really help me visualize. Thanks.

You can clip and BBW a linebacker as long as the A player is in the zone is on his LOS and in the zone at the snap AND the linebacker is within 1 yard of the LOS at the snap. If a B player is within 1 yard of the LOS, they are considered to be on the line.

2-17-2; 2-17-3; 2-25-3

On another note, if A is in a shotgun formation, any of the blocks that are allowed in the free blocking zone must occur on the initial burst. Even though the ball has probably left the zone by the time the block occurs, NFHS has interpreted that the ball is considered to be in the zone if the block occurs on the initial charge.

CB 2-17-2 Sit. E

I do not know if the file is too big to send in email. I will try to send it to you when I get back home this weekend. Send me a PM and I will attempt if you send me an address.

Peace

Free Blocking initial charge
 

We saw a video at our Association meeting that is put out by a a Hawaiian Officials group. It is a tremendous tool. They show actual plays and discuss the rules. During the section on the Free Blocking Zone the commentator said that the blocks were illegal because they were not on the initial charge. When I mentioned to the interpreter that nowhere in the rulebook or casebook does it mention 'initial charge' he stated that I should go to the NFHS website and look for corrections. In the casebook on page 14 2.17.3, 2.17.4 Sit.A and 2.17.4 Sit.B seems to emphasize that initial charge is not the case. These entries say that the lineman takes a step backward and then three sideward steps before clipping or blocking in the back. There is no case stating a block below the waist. Does a block below the waist have to be on the initial charge?

This initial charge is used when there is a shotgun formation. Even though the snap puts the ball out of the FBZ (and hence the zone disintegrates), we allow an initial charge to be a BBW, BIB, or clip if the rest of the requirements are in place. If the ball never leaves the zone, the block can be anytime until the zone disintegrates.

Read 2.17.2 Situation E. This refers to when you would use the "initial charge" terminology. Since the FBZ disintegrates as soon as the ball leaves, it is impossible to guage exactly when it leave the zone on a scrimmage kick or when the QB is in shot gun. This case play helps clarify how to handle these situations. If the blocker delays at all, you have foul.