What is an illegal block?

Asked by: Zelda Goldner  |  Last update: May 22, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (66 votes)

The block is illegal unless it is against the ball carrier. In the NFL, blocking below the waist is illegal during kicking plays and after a change of possession. Illegal crackback blocks, peel-back blocks and cut blocks are called during other times when an illegal block is made below the waist.

What is considered an illegal block?

An illegal peel-back block is a 15-yard penalty. An illegal crackback block occurs when an offensive player comes from more than two yards outside the offensive tackle, or from the backfield, and makes contact below the waist, above the neck, from a blind side, or from behind.

What is an illegal block screening?

Illegal screening is when the player who is screening an opponent: Was moving when contact occurred. Did not give sufficient distance in setting a screen outside the field of vision of a stationary opponent when contact occurred.

What makes an illegal block in the back?

Blocks an opponent (from behind) in the back above the opponent's waist, or uses his hands or arms to push an opponent from behind in a manner that affects his movement, except in close-line play.

What blocks are illegal in the NFL?

In the NFL, blocking below the waist is illegal during kicking plays and after a change of possession. Illegal crackback blocks, peel-back blocks and cut blocks are called during other times when an illegal block is made below the waist.

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25 related questions found

What is a legal block?

Legal Block is a portion of a customer's account balance that they wish to reserve for a specific purpose. Legal Block can be placed on accounts based on either customer instructions or bank orders.

What is the difference between clipping and illegal block in the back?

It is not clipping if an opponent turns his back as the block is delivered or about to be delivered. (1) It is clipping (including in close line play) if an offensive player's block (legal or illegal) is followed by the blocker rolling up on the side or back of the legs of the defender.

What is the signal for the illegal block in the back?

The signal for this penalty is the ref holding his right arm out as to show a pushing motion and the left arm under the wrist of the right arm, both moving simultaneously showing the foul on the play.

Why is a blindside block illegal?

In keeping with putting player safety first, national rules now allow blocking from the blindside only when contact is initiated with the hands – achieving the same effect without all the contact.

What is an illegal block downfield?

The rule stipulates that an ineligible player may cross the line of scrimmage and block if the pass is caught behind the line of scrimmage. If it's thrown beyond the line of scrimmage, even if just 1 yard, then as noted above a lineman may block up to a maximum of 3 yards downfield.

What is a legal vs illegal screen?

In basketball and lacrosse, the offensive player setting the pick must remain stationary at the moment of contact with the defender, and allow the defensive player a "reasonable opportunity" to avoid the screen; a screen is illegal if the screener moves in order to make contact, and obtains an advantage; the result is ...

What is an illegal search?

Generally, a search or seizure is illegal under the Fourth Amendment if it occurs without consent, a warrant, or probable cause to believe a crime has been committed.

How many yards is an illegal block in the back?

There is a 10 yard penalty in both the NFL and College Football.

What is the 5 yard contact rule?

If the defender maintains contact beyond five yards, it is illegal contact. Beyond the five-yard zone, incidental contact may exist between receiver and defender. Penalty: For illegal contact by the defense: Loss of five yards and automatic first down.

What is an illegal roadblock?

Although it's legal to set up and operate a roadblock for border control, it is not legal to do so for general crime control. Roadblocks must be established in order to serve a purpose closely related to a particular problem associated with automobiles and their mobility.

What is the correct signal for an illegal block?

Raise both arms, elbows bent, palms facing forward. Then indicate player who committed the fault.

What is illegal blocking in the back?

An offensive player cannot initiate contact on the side and below the waist against an opponent if: the blocker is moving toward his own end line; and. he approaches the opponent from behind or from the side.

Do people know if you block them on signal?

Your blocked contacts will not know that you have blocked them.

Why is clipping not called anymore?

Clipping was first banned in 1916 in the NCAA, and rules prohibiting it gradually went into effect in various leagues in the years that followed. In recent years, clipping has not been called as a penalty as much as a block in the back.

What is the hand signal for illegal block in the back?

How executed. Begin with one hand held close to and in front of the chest with the palm facing forwards and the other hand grasping its wrist. Push gently forward by about a foot. Finally point to the offending team by streching an arm out from the shoulder to the horizontal.

What is a crack back block?

Crackback blocks, in which a player lined up on the outside moves toward the middle of the field and blindsides a defender, have long been illegal in the NFL. But the league is considering a stricter rule that would result in broader enforcement of the penalty.

What is an illegal chop block?

A Chop Block is a block by the offense in which one offensive player (designated as A1 for purposes of this rule) blocks a defensive player in the area of the thigh or lower while another offensive player (A2) engages that same defensive player above the waist.

Can a running back block below the waist?

As before, blocking below the waist is prohibited by both teams after there has been a change of possession. As before, blocking below the waist is prohibited by both teams on a kicking play. The one exception to both of the above is that a block below the waist can be used to tackle the ball carrier.