Defense block below waist

[Refsmitty]

My understanding is that if they are in the box 3x4 at the snap, that block would be legal.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by Refsmitty

My understanding is that if they are in the box 3x4 at the snap, that block would be legal.

They both need to be on the line plus the other FBZ requirements.

phansen, if all requirements of the free blocking zone were met, both players were on the line at the snap and the contact was in the zone, you were right. Sounds like you nailed it, despite what the coach thinks (big surprise there).

[Welpe]

The rule of thumb I use for free blocking zone activity is this (assuming all other FBZ requirements are met):

*An A lineman can clip a B lineman
*An A lineman can block a B lineman below the waist
*A B lineman can block an A lineman below the waist
*An A lineman can block any B player in the back if that player is in the FBZ at the snap.

Notice that there is only one of those things that B is allowed to do.

[Refsmitty]

ART. 5 . . . The free-blocking zone disintegrates and the exception for a player
Rule 2-18 2009 NFHS Football Rules Page 30
to block below the waist and/or the exception for an offensive lineman to clip
and/or block in the back is not to continue after the ball has left the zone.

What exactly is meant by the ball leaving the zone. Once snapped in a shotgun formation - has it left the zone? Once snapped and the QB turns to hand it back to a runner - has it left the zone?

[Welpe]

Once the ball is no longer in the free blocking zone, the zone disintergrates for the down. Even if the ball leaves for a second. Yes you are correct that on a snap that goes outside the zone, the zone is gone.

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by Refsmitty

What exactly is meant by the ball leaving the zone. Once snapped in a shotgun formation - has it left the zone? Once snapped and the QB turns to hand it back to a runner - has it left the zone?

It means the actual position of the ball w.r.t. the FBZ. However, some state assocs. have adopted interpret'ns deeming an immediate block whose motion begins at the snap to beat the snap's leaving the FBZ, and IIRC at least one state deems the snap's leaving the FBZ to beat all contact.

[bisonlj]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

It means the actual position of the ball w.r.t. the FBZ. However, some state assocs. have adopted interpret'ns deeming an immediate block whose motion begins at the snap to beat the snap's leaving the FBZ, and IIRC at least one state deems the snap's leaving the FBZ to beat all contact.

The case book also supports this interpretation so it's not just a state thing. I always tell linemen if they are in shotgun formation, there had better not be any delay in a cut block if they want to do it legally. It's usually not a problem.

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by bisonlj

The case book also supports this interpretation

"This interpretation"? I gave two, the opposite of each other.

[phansen]

Originally Posted by Welpe

The rule of thumb I use for free blocking zone activity is this (assuming all other FBZ requirements are met):

*An A lineman can clip a B lineman
*An A lineman can block a B lineman below the waist
*A B lineman can block an A lineman below the waist
*An A lineman can block any B player in the back if that player is in the FBZ at the snap.

Notice that there is only one of those things that B is allowed to do.

Welpe

where does it say that B can't block in the back or clip an A lineman if all conditions of the FBZ are met?

[Mike L]

Originally Posted by phansen

Welpe

where does it say that B can't block in the back or clip an A lineman if all conditions of the FBZ are met?

read the definitions under Free Blocking Zone.

[phansen]

Originally Posted by Mike L

read the definitions under Free Blocking Zone.

Thank you

I learned something new today

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by Mike L

read the definitions under Free Blocking Zone.

What Mike said. Rule 2.