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- Player shall not trip an opponent who is not the runner (beginning in 2019 cannot trip runner)
Art 8- No member of Kicking team shall initiate contact to block an opponent on a free kick until:
Legal kick has traveled 10 yards;
Kicking team is eligible to recover the free kick; or,
Receiving team initiates a block within 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 (Rule )
Contact was in FBZ & prior to ball leaving FBZ

8. Players shown in Green may block 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
aka “Cut Block” is block below the waist from the front or side
Only players (Offense or Defense) who are on their LOS & in FBZ at the snap are eligible to block & 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
Rule 2-3-8; 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?
15-yard Penalty

11. Who may legally Clip ? Rule 2-5-1; 9-3-6
Block below the waist from the back
NO ONE MAY CLIP ANYWHERE ON FIELD
15-yard Penalty

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)
Contact was in FBZ & prior to ball leaving the zone
Notes:
Do not allow players to continue blocking in the back after the ball has left FBZ
Blocks in the back are ABOVE the waist, if below the waist it is a clip

13. Players shown in Green may legally block 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 blocking rule exceptions to be legal in these situations, 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 & defensive players are lining up prior to & at the snap (4 yards to each side of the ball)
Remember 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 initial contact with the opponent is (above/below the waist or knee, in front/on the side/ from behind)
2nd- determine if contact is inside the free blocking zone
3rd- determine if free blocking zone still exists or has it disintegrated
Officials must watch for defensive players “cutting” the lead blockers coming out of the backfield

19. CRACK BACK BLOCKS
This term is used to describe a block delivered by an offensive player coming back towards the spot of the snap
Since the player was not inside FBZ at the snap, contact must be made above the waist and in the front or from the side
Be Alert for Blindside Block – if forceful block, it MUST be with open hands

20. Reference Slides Follow
Questions
Reference Slides Follow