FED Block in the back

[johnnyg08]

Isn't the rule a safety rule too though? What advantage does the defense get from a hit out of bounds? None really...but it's still illegal.

[InsideTheStripe]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

Isn't the rule a safety rule too though? What advantage does the defense get from a hit out of bounds? None really...but it's still illegal.

There's some debate over whether or not a BIB is a safety foul. I tend to lean towards no. The comparison to a late hit out of bounds is not a good one. A late hit out of bounds is a safety foul. You have one player that may relax or let down his guard due to knowing where he is on the field getting hit like they are still on the field.

I think when the NFHS separated blocking in the back from clipping back in 2002 they did so because they recognized that the danger above the waist was not nearly as significant as below. Grouping it (enforcement wise) with other fouls that are POA fouls leads me to believe that it should be enforced at the POA when an advantage is gained.

By all means... if a BIB away from the POA is severe enough to warrant a PF, throw it (as a PF).