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NCAA
The "crackback" refers to an offensive player who is usually spread out away from the main body of the formation and who runs back in towards the ball at the snap in hopes of blocking a linebacker or defensive backer who is moving towards the blocker but looking into the offensive backfield at the ball carrier such that he does not see the block coming.
If the block is above the waist and not from the back, it is legal. If it is below the waist and the force of the block is back in towards the original position of the ball at the snap, it is illegal. The block usually occurs on sweeps or option plays to the outside. |
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If the play is designed to fool someone, make sure you aren't the fool. |
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Another thing to add is defensive teams pick up on this fast. Watch the defensive end or LB as he will watch for the "crackback" block and will intentionally turn to get blocked in the back as the last second. On that I have no flag and if he or the coach complains, tell him why.
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Jim Need an out, get an out. Need a run, balk it in. |
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Complete agreement with both of you. Those guys in motion towards the ball are very good candidates to foul. And re turning the back, at first I was going to say it is almost impossible to have a block in the back on the crackback situation because the defenders are usualy square with the LOS or running straight at the impending blocker. But as I thought about it more I remembered plays where the "crackback" guy did end up in a position where he was behind the defender and then blocked him in the back, towards the LOS.
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Another hint
A hint that I got from a college official on calling blocks in the back; watch the action of the player that was blocked after the contact. If he falls forward on his numbers, then he probably was blocked in the back. If he falls sideways, then the blocker will probably get the benefit of the doubt. This is especially helpful on kicking plays.
There is no absolute, and there is no substitute for seeing the entire play. Just a tip that might help. |
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Rich, We all agree on that but don’t get sucked in by the coaches that this act of a motion man blocking back in towards the LB or end, what they call a “crackback” is illegal, that’s football. We watch for legal blocks.
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The crackback seems to be similar in Canada and in the US. The criteria in the Great White North are: (1) the block must occur in an area 5 yards ahead of the LS and all the way back to Team A's dead ball line. (2) it must be below the waist (3) it must towards the ball at the snap of the ball (4) the person flagged for the block must have been, at some point before the snap, more than 3 yards outside the widest interior lineman Penalty: UR. Signal: UR, then slap front of thigh with palm. |
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