Potential blocker or not?

[Jim S]

Illini, Don'r get caught up with using pass interference rules behind the LOS. They don't apply. The prohibition of contacting a pass receiver who is no longer a blocker applies only to pass interfertence and must be beyond the LOS.
There is no prohibition on contacting a potential receiver behind the LOS as long as it is not an illegal block (a block that does not meet the same requirements as any other block) or is not a personal foul.
Other than that a defender may block a potential receiver behind the LOS. Even with the ball in the air. The reason you can't find a rule permitting this is that there is not one to find. But remember, the rules don't list what is legal to do (in most cases) but rather what is illegal to do. If there is not a rule prohibiting an action, that action is legal.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Jim S

Illini, Don'r get caught up with using pass interference rules behind the LOS. They don't apply. The prohibition of contacting a pass receiver who is no longer a blocker applies only to pass interfertence and must be beyond the LOS.

That is not true. It says under 9-2-3c "A defensive player shall not....Contact an eligible receiver who is no longer a potential blocker." This is under the heading "Illegal Use of Hands and Holding." This has nothing to do with passing restrictions. Passing restrictions do not apply to the defense anyway until the ball is in the air and crosses the LOS.

Originally Posted by Jim S

There is no prohibition on contacting a potential receiver behind the LOS as long as it is not an illegal block (a block that does not meet the same requirements as any other block) or is not a personal foul.

That is also not true. The rule does not say anything about when or where the contact can take place. It says potential blocker. Nothing gives a player the right behind the LOS to contact a receiver that is no longer a potential blocker.

Originally Posted by Jim S

Other than that a defender may block a potential receiver behind the LOS. Even with the ball in the air. The reason you can't find a rule permitting this is that there is not one to find. But remember, the rules don't list what is legal to do (in most cases) but rather what is illegal to do. If there is not a rule prohibiting an action, that action is legal.

Rules reference please?

Peace

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by Jim S

Illini, Don'r get caught up with using pass interference rules behind the LOS. They don't apply. The prohibition of contacting a pass receiver who is no longer a blocker applies only to pass interfertence and must be beyond the LOS.
There is no prohibition on contacting a potential receiver behind the LOS as long as it is not an illegal block (a block that does not meet the same requirements as any other block) or is not a personal foul.
Other than that a defender may block a potential receiver behind the LOS. Even with the ball in the air. The reason you can't find a rule permitting this is that there is not one to find. But remember, the rules don't list what is legal to do (in most cases) but rather what is illegal to do. If there is not a rule prohibiting an action, that action is legal.

+1

Well put.