Cut Blocks

Question
I play left guard for a high school in Florida. We use NFHS
football rules. If I am passblocking, is it legal for me to
cut linebackers who blitz across the line of scrimmage? To
specify, I mean to dive through the linebackers' shins to
trip him up if he blitzes from his normal position on a pass
play. I do not do this with the help of another lineman and
it isn't a chop block. But is it legal?

Answer
Matt
Excellent question. Generally you may not block below the waist per Rule 9-3-1 and 2-17. Generally a LB is not within the free blocking zone or on the LOS/ line of scrimmage and in those cases you cannot bock him below the waist.  However there is an exception - You may "cut block" (i.e. block below the waist) only if all players involved in the block are on the line of scrimmage and were in the free blocking zone at the snap and the block occurs in the zone.

The free blocking zone is a term of art and only applies to high school football (NFHS Rules).  It is a 4x3 rectangular area - 4 yards either side of the original position of where the ball was napped and 3 yards behind the line of scrimmage.

Matt, in your play, if you are a Back you can not cut block, but if you are a lineman [C, G,T] you can cut block any defender who was positioned on the line of scrimmage who was/is in the free blocking zone at the time of the snap and if the block occurs in the free blocking zone.  In your play if the LB is on the LOS and within the Free blocking zone you can block him low.

Matt, I am very glad you understand the Chop Block rule which is different than a cut block.  I can tell the way your question was phrased you understand chop blocks are illegal.  I cannot begin to tell you the number of players and coaches at the high school or college level that don't understand the difference.

Best of Luck to you this season.  Please do me a favor and let me know from time to time how your season is going.

Victor Winnek
NCAA Football Official