NFL Clipping

[Suudy]

In the Sea/SF game, Sea was called for clipping by an offensive lineman. Does the NFL have a free blocking zone? The play in question may have been after the FBZ dissolved (I think it was an off-tackle run to the left, so the ball could have been out).

[APG]

The NFL has what is called a close-line play. It's contact that occurs in the area from tackle to tackle and is 3 yards from the line of scrimmage on either side of the line.

It is legal to clip in close-line play as long as the contact is above the knee.

If an offensive player’s block (legal or illegal) is followed by the blocker rolling up on the back or side of the leg(s) of a defender, it is clipping, including in close line play.

Exception: An offensive lineman may not clip a defender above the knees who, at the snap, is aligned on the line of scrimmage opposite another offensive lineman who is more than one position away, and the defender is responding to the flow of the ball away from the blocker.

Example: Tackle cannot clip nose tackle on a sweep away.