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[phsblue&gold]

I read on a recent thread on this board (Midseason All PD Team) I believe, someone posted that the Hampton have been chop blocking a certain player from Woodside (#78). I kinda of doubted it myself and so I looked it up on hsgametime.com and viewed the video for myself and what did I see? Well at the 1:06 mark there was indeed a chop block as wellas an attempted chop block near the 2:00 min both were trying to block #78. I must say that I am very disappointed because I expect much more from Mike Smith than to allow that to go on. That type of blocking should not be tolerated at all. That could result into a career ending injury. Well enough talk here's the link:

http://www.hsgametime.com/757/videop...d=179378&shu=1

Yall be the judge.

[Clipper_Fan]

I watched the video and I don't believe it was an illegal chop block. The VHSL football rules clinic powerpoint presentation
http://www.vhsl.org/fbpowerpt07.ppt#350,52,Slide 52
shows that between the tackles a block can cut the defensive player as long as he does not retreat (as in a pass block) and stays in the free block zone.

My interpretation of the free block zone is that for down linemen between the tackles, cut blocks and clipping are permitted as long as both players started from inside the zone and contact occurs immediately inside the zone.

I am not an official but from the rules presentation it looks legal.

[PACKER BACKER]

I also believe that it states that the defender cannot be engaged with two offensive lineman - ie double team, one hitting him high one hitting him low. I don't like any kind of chop blocking personally, if you aren't man enough to man up on your man and take care of business find another sport to play....that's just my PERSONAL opinion. I'll tell you something else that I've seen SEVERAL times this year....pulling guard out front, outside the tackle - LB runs up and cuts the pulling guard below the waist, physically diving at the knees? That's cheap a$$ bush league stuff in my estimation.....have only seen a flag for it called one time.

Back to topic - VHSL does allow it....wish that it was banned though.

[Warhawk]

Looked at both plays and both are legal. This is not a "VHSL" rule but from the National Federation of High Schools rule book.

The "free blocking zone" is created by the ball and 4 yards to either side and 3 yards towards each goal line. In the free blocking zone, players are allowed to legally block below the waist, in the back, or clip. Stipulations are that both players must be on the line (defense within 1 yard of the ball) at the snap, the offensive player must be stationary at the snap, the block must occur within the zone and the zone must still be intact. The zone is no longer intact once the ball has left the zone. The only block that is illegal in the zone is a DELAYED block, at or below the knees, while the opponent is in contact with a team mate. Officials are going to give the low block, as long as it is a part of the initial line play/charge, even if the QB is in the shotgun.

[phsblue&gold]

Well, Bill Dee, you need to take notes then. Mike Smith, you still have my complete respect. It still looks iffy to me but if it's legal then it's okay I guess. I know Edison tried those same tactics last year against Phoebus in the State Championship and they got called for it everytime. This happened directly at the line of scrimmage.

[OSTiger'06]

as a former o-lineman i do agree "cut" blocking is ok but the chop or "hi low" should be banned cutting is more of a roadblock scheme meant to take the shins out not the knees...

[Warhawk]

Originally Posted by OSTiger'06

as a former o-lineman i do agree "cut" blocking is ok but the chop or "hi low" should be banned cutting is more of a roadblock scheme meant to take the shins out not the knees...

As long as the contact is simultaneous or the second block is above the knees, it is legal (only line play in the box). Once the free blocking zone is gone, there is no legal block below the waist.