1. Region One Football Officials Association
Rule Topics:
Blocking & Free Blocking Zone
With Focus on “Cut Blocks” & “Chop Blocks”
We Are All Here to Learn

2. BLOCKING DEFINITION
RULE 2-3-1: Blocking is obstructing an opponent by contacting him with any part of the blocker’s body.
Legal Blocking Techniques using hands & arms
Closed or Cupped Hands
Open Hands

3. Illegal Blocking (Rule 9-3)
Art 1- Blocking by player is illegal when it is:
Kick Catching Interference
Forward Pass Interference
Personal Foul
Art 2- Player shall not block opponent below waist except:
Inside Free Blocking Zone
Tackling Runner or Pretend Runner
Art 3- Receiver that has given valid or invalid fair catch signal shall not block until the kick has ended

4. Illegal Blocking (Rule 9-3)
Art 4- Kicker or Place-Kick holder may not be blocked before:
He has advanced 5 yards beyond free kick line or
The kick has touched the ground or another player
Art 5- Player shall block opponent in the back except:
Inside Free Blocking Zone
When trying to catch or recover loose ball which he may legally possess
Tackle Runner or Pretend Runner
Art 6- A player shall not chop block or clip.

5. Illegal Blocking (Rule 9-3)
Art 7- A player shall not trip an opponent who is not the runner.
Art 8- No member of Kicking team shall initiate contact to block an opponent on a free kick until:
The legal kick has traveled 10 yards
The Kicking team is eligible to recover the free kick or
The Receiving team initiates a block within the neutral zone.

6. The Free Blocking Zone Rule 2-17-1
A player is considered in FBZ if any part of his body is in FBZ at the snap
FBZ disintegrates when the ball leaves the zone
The contact must occur in the zone
The ball must be present in the zone

7. Who may legally block Below the Waist ?
Rule
By a player (Offense or Defense) who was on his LOS & in FBZ at the snap. (Against an opponent who was on his LOS & in FBZ at the snap.)
Defense is considered on LOS if within 1 yard.
The contact was in FBZ & prior to the ball leaving FBZ.

8. Players shown in Green may block the opponents shown in Green below the waist (“cut block”)
The Players marked in Green are allowed to legally block below the waist against the opponents marked in Green (circles vs. squares), as long as the contact is in the zone and the ball is still in the zone. The players marked in Red may neither block below the waist nor be blocked below the waist.
Opponents must be on LOS & in FBZ at the snap

9. POINTS OF EMPHASIS BLOCKS BELOW THE WAIST
Only players (Offense or Defense) who are on their LOS & in FBZ at the snap are eligible to block and be blocked below the waist.
Watch for backs, especially while in a scrimmage kick or shotgun formation, that may be blocking below the waist.
Watch for defensive players “cutting” the lead blockers coming out of the backfield.

10. Chop Block
Chop Block is completely different. Rule ; 9-3-6: combination block by 2 or more teammates against an opponent other than the runner, with or without delay, where 1 block is LOW (at or below the knee) & the other block is HIGH (above the knee).
It does not matter which block comes first.
Can you chop block in FBZ?
Penalty for chop block is 15 yards.

11. Who may legally Clip ? Rule 2-5-1; 9-3-6
NO ONE MAY CLIP ANYWHERE ON FIELD
Penalty for clipping is 15 yards

12. Who may legally Block in the Back ?
Rule
By any offensive lineman who was on his LOS & in FBZ at the snap. (Against any defensive player who was in FBZ at the snap).
The contact was in the zone and prior to the ball leaving the zone.

13. Players shown in Green may legally block the opponents shown in Purple, in the Back.
Players marked in Green are allowed to block the players marked in Purple in the back as long as the contact is in the zone and the ball is still in the zone. Players marked in Red can neither block nor be blocked in the back.

14. Shotgun or Scrimmage Kick Formations
In order for the blocking rule exceptions to be legal in these situations, the blocks must occur immediately at the snap while the ball is still passing through the zone.
NOTE: Delayed blocks that are covered by the blocking rule exceptions, could now be illegal blocks, as the ball may have left the zone prior to the block.

15. NOTES FOR UMPIRES
Know where BOTH the offensive and defensive men are lining up prior to and at the snap. (4 yards to each side of the ball)
Remember that if any part of the player is in the zone he is considered to be in the zone.
Except for Blocking in the back, the defensive player must have been on his LOS and in the zone for the block to be legal.

16. NOTES FOR WING OFFICIALS
If the team is taking wide splits, the TE may or may not be inside the zone.
Wide Receivers, Split Ends, Slot Backs or Flankers are never eligible for blocking rule exceptions, since they are either Not inside the zone or they are Not on the LOS at the snap.

17. NOTES FOR REFEREES
Running Backs and Quarter Backs are never eligible for blocking rule exceptions, since they are Not on their LOS at the snap.
Know where the ball is- has it left the zone prior to the block?

18. ALL OFFICIALS
1st- need to see where the initial contact with the opponent is. (above/below the waist or knee, in front/on the side/ from behind)
2nd- determine if the contact is inside the free blocking zone.
3rd- determine if the free blocking zone still exists or has it disintegrated.
Officials should also watch for defensive players “cutting” the lead blockers coming out of the backfield.