Free Blocking Zone

OLZone
Member

Posts: 31

Free Blocking Zone Oct 15, 2005 0:20:59 GMT

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Post by OLZone on Oct 15, 2005 0:20:59 GMT

Can offensive linemen legally cut below the waist in the free blocking zone in the
Shotgun Formation or when the QB is not under center?
(National Federation of State High School Associations, NFHS ruling)

I am well aware that offensive linemen can legally cut below the waist under center and I am well aware of the free blocking zone rules. However, I attended a rules clinic in Georgia two years ago and I believe this was in fact illegal in the shotgun formation or when the QB is not under center.

Maybe I am losing it??? Coaches thanks for your response.

"I don't try to save the world. I just go at it one football player at a time."<BR> Paul "Bear" Bryant<BR><BR>Coach S

cllew
Member

Posts: 52

Free Blocking Zone Oct 15, 2005 20:56:40 GMT

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Post by cllew on Oct 15, 2005 20:56:40 GMT

I believe the rule states that the free blocking zone disntingrates when the ball leaves the free blocking zone. There is no cutting or clipping allowed. So on shotgun, the ball is out of the zone pretty quickly.

However, if the blocker initiates his block immediately at the snap, the block can be considered legal because the ball is still in the free blocking zone when the block starts. This is probably only true when blocking a down lineman and not a linebacker.

billatlas Senior Member Posts: 226	Free Blocking Zone Oct 17, 2005 12:03:17 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by billatlas on Oct 17, 2005 12:03:17 GMT It is my understanding you can't cut LB's ever.

mdp13 Junior Member Posts: 3	Free Blocking Zone Oct 27, 2005 5:02:28 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by mdp13 on Oct 27, 2005 5:02:28 GMT you can cut walk up LB's, the rule states that any player that starts in the FB zone can be cut while the ball is still with in the zone.

billatlas Senior Member Posts: 226	Free Blocking Zone Oct 27, 2005 5:51:22 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by billatlas on Oct 27, 2005 5:51:22 GMT I agree.

Coach Ank
Junior Member

Posts: 17

Free Blocking Zone Nov 9, 2005 10:25:56 GMT

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Post by Coach Ank on Nov 9, 2005 10:25:56 GMT

In Kansas it is my understanding that the rule is if the LB is breaking the hip of the DL then he is considered in the Free Blocking Zone and therefore can be cut. I am not sure if this is a written rule or more of a rule of thumb. (probably rule of thumb) but that is how we teach our line to know when to cut or not. My question is if the zone breaks down when the ball leaves it, then you cannot legally cut on any toss sweep action. Is that correct? We zone our toss but I know of several teams that do cut on their version of the toss sweep.

mdp13
Junior Member

Posts: 3

Free Blocking Zone Nov 13, 2005 11:50:28 GMT

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Post by mdp13 on Nov 13, 2005 11:50:28 GMT

The free blocking zone is defined as a rectangular box 4 yards laterally on each side of the ball at the snap and 3 yards on each side of the line of scrimmage. So a linebacker that is breaking the hip of the DT would most likely be with in that 3 yards so that is a good defining point. i am going to have to use that next year, thanks coach. As far as the cut blocking on the toss, we had it called in only one game this year but the ref told me it was because it was late and it was after the QB already pitched the ball. When we did it right off the snap of the ball or before the QB had taken too many steps from center , the officials said it was OK.

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Post by OLZone on Oct 15, 2005 0:20:59 GMT

Post by cllew on Oct 15, 2005 20:56:40 GMT

Post by billatlas on Oct 17, 2005 12:03:17 GMT

Post by mdp13 on Oct 27, 2005 5:02:28 GMT

Post by billatlas on Oct 27, 2005 5:51:22 GMT

Post by Coach Ank on Nov 9, 2005 10:25:56 GMT

Post by mdp13 on Nov 13, 2005 11:50:28 GMT

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