TE cut blocks

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by tomes1978

Also the block below the waist has to be before the ball leaves the free blocking zone. So it has to happen quickly after the snap.

I wouldn't make that statement, because compared to the length of time of many downs, the ball can frequently spend all or most of it in the FBZ. Better not to imply there's anything like a time limit on it.

[With_Two_Flakes]

2-17-2-a. All players involved in the blocking are on the line of scrimmage and in the zone at the snap.

As a bit of a novice at Fed Rules (we use NCAA Rules here in the UK), should I understand 2-17-2-a to mean that both the blocker and the blockee must have been on the LOS? So an O lineman could not legally BBW a linebacker who was within the FBZ but a couple of yards off the LOS?

Is the wording of 2-17-2 different to 2-17-3 and 2-17-4 so as to allow the D linemen to BBW the O linemen in the FBZ, but the D cannot clip or BIB?

[Welpe]

Two flakes, that is correct. Both offensive and defensive linemen may block below the waist if they meet the rest of the free blocking zone criteria. A defensive player is considered a linemen for these purposes if he is within a yard of his line of scrimmage at the snap.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

I wouldn't make that statement, because compared to the length of time of many downs, the ball can frequently spend all or most of it in the FBZ. Better not to imply there's anything like a time limit on it.

+1.

If it's a shotgun snap, the block must be immediate (no delay) in order to meet the spirit of the FBZ / rule. At least that's how it's interpreted most places.

[BroKen62]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

+1.

If it's a shotgun snap, the block must be immediate (no delay) in order to meet the spirit of the FBZ / rule. At least that's how it's interpreted most places.

In my state (MS) this is the proper interpretation. If a lineman steps back then cuts, it's illegal. If he's gonna cut, he must fire off low at the snap if the snap is a shotgun-type.

Also, b/c the fbz is defined as 6x8, we don't refer to it as a tackle box. The general rule is that if the splits are tight or regular, the TE is in the box at the snap. If the splits are extraordinarily wide, it's possible for the TE to be outside the box.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by BroKen62

If the splits are extraordinarily wide, it's possible for the TE to be outside the box.

If the end is out of the FBZ, he's not really tight, is he.

[BroKen62]

Originally Posted by mbyron

If the end is out of the FBZ, he's not really tight, is he.

Very true!

[Robert Goodman]

In NCAA, where is the FBZ centered if team A has an even number of players on their LOS?

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

In NCAA, where is the FBZ centered if team A has an even number of players on their LOS?

You're kidding, right?

Find in the book where it has you count players...

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

I wouldn't make that statement, because compared to the length of time of many downs, the ball can frequently spend all or most of it in the FBZ. Better not to imply there's anything like a time limit on it.

3 yards is not that far - especially when you consider that the QB is likely about 4-5 feet behing the LOS. 1 step back or 2 diagonally back, and the ball is out of the zone. I'd say "quickly" is almost always right.