Ref Question

[Rattler]

If player running an interception or a punt back and has lead blockers, and the defender dives at the lead blockers legs trying to take our both the blocker and the runner, is this not a flag?

[pancho villa]

Should of been.

[GrTigers6]

If player running an interception or a punt back and has lead blockers, and the defender dives at the lead blockers legs trying to take our both the blocker and the runner, is this not a flag?

yes, No one can block below the waist on a turn over!
That can also happen on a regular play because the defense can only block below the waist Within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage in either direction

[Farmersfan]

If player running an interception or a punt back and has lead blockers, and the defender dives at the lead blockers legs trying to take our both the blocker and the runner, is this not a flag?




I've never heard of a defensive player being flagged for going below the waist on a offensive player. Anyone else ever heard of this?

[MJMbrahmas10]

Nope

[Ragin Red]

I've never heard of a defensive player being flagged for going below the waist on a offensive player. Anyone else ever heard of this?
Now a Defensive player can tackle player with the ball by hitting player below the waist.

[whitelightning5]

yes, No one can block below the waist on a turn over!
That can also happen on a regular play because the defense can only block below the waist Within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage in either direction

Just to clarify...the defensive player never really blocks anyone. They go to destroy blocks and make tackles. In the situation presented up top, this would not be a flag. The defender can go low on blockers. Its much like a CB taking on a pulling guard or FB on a toss sweep. You can go take out the legs of the offensive player trying to block you. You do so for the following reasons....so you dont get killed and to try to cause a log jam and allow enough time for other defenders to make a tackle.

On special teams or INT/fumble returns, the offense can't go low on the defense at any point. On standard offensive plays, there are certainly times when blocking low is allowable.

[GrTigers6]

Rule book Clarification:
INTERPRETATION
BLOCKING BELOW THE WAIST: DEFENSIVE PLAYERS
The following replaces Rule 9-1-6-Exception 2(c) on FR-85:
Players of the defensive team may block below the waist until the ball has gone more than five yards beyond the neutral zone.
However, they may not block below the waist against a Team A player in position to receive a backward pass. They also may not block below the waist against an eligible Team A receiver beyond the neutral zone unless attempting to get to the ball or the ball carrier.
RATIONALE This clarification results from concerns and questions raised by members of the NCAA football rules committee, head coaches, conference coordinator of officials, and active officials. This interpretation preserves the rule change that makes blocking below the waist illegal in the interest of the safety of the student-athlete while providing specific exceptions that are more nearly comparable for both the offense and the defense.
EXAMPLE 1 First and 10 at the A-40. A12 receives the snap at the A-35 and starts on a sweep to his right. Guard A66 pulls and leads the play. At the A-39 defensive end B88 blocks A66 from the front at the knees and cornerback B33 makes the tackle at the A-42.
RULING: The block by B88 is legal because the ball has not gone more than five yards beyond the neutral zone. Second and eight at the A-42.
EXAMPLE 2 First and 10 at the A-40. A12 receives the snap at the A-35 and starts on a sweep to his right. Guard A66 pulls and leads the play. At the snap linebacker B55 is positioned at the A-42. As the play develops A12 has carried the ball to the A-47 when B55 at the A-44 blocks A66 from the side at the thigh. A12 is driven out of bounds at the A-48.
RULING: Foul by B55, blocking below the waist after the ball is more than five yards beyond the neutral zone. Fifteen-yard penalty enforced at the end of the run. First and 10 for Team A at the B-37.
EXAMPLE 3 First and 20 at the A-40. QB A12 takes the direct snap from center and takes a shallow drop to the A-38. Back A22 is at the A-34 in position to receive a backward pass when he is blocked from the front at the knees by defensive end B99. A12 is sacked at the A-35.
RULING: Foul by B99, blocking below the waist against a player in position to receive a backward pass. Fifteen-yard penalty at the previous spot and automatic first down. First and 10 for Team A at the B-45.
EXAMPLE 4 First and 20 at the A-40. QB A12 takes the direct snap from center and drops back to pass. Flanker A25 runs a down-and-out pattern and is blocked from the front at the thigh by cornerback B17. A12 is sacked at the A-35.
RULING: Foul by B17, blocking below the waist against an eligible receiver beyond the neutral zone. Fifteen-yard penalty at the previous spot and automatic first down. First and 10 for Team A at the B-45.
EXAMPLE 5 First and 10 at the A-40. A12 receives the snap at the A-35 and starts on a sweep to his right. He turns the corner and heads up the field. End A88 is ahead of the play, and safety B33 blocks him below the waist from the front at the 50. The back judge throws a flag as he believes that A12 has carried the ball just beyond the A-45 when B33 makes his block, but he is not certain.
RULING: Foul by B33, blocking below the waist. Because the default position is that blocking below the waist is illegal, if there is a question in any given situation about it being a foul, it is a foul.
Rogers Redding
Secretary-Rules Editor
NCAA Football Rules Committee
June 22, 2011
9. Team A punts on fourth down at the A-25. Back A40 is positioned as a personal protector about six yards in front of the punter. As defensive end B82 rushes to try to block the kick A40 blocks him below the waist at the A-15. RULING: Illegal block. Neither team may block below the waist during a kicking down. The penalty may be enforced either at the previous spot with a repeat of fourth down or at the spot where the dead ball belongs to Team B. (9-1-6-b)
10.Second and 5 at the A-35. B44 intercepts a pass at the B-40 and on the return teammate B21 blocks below the waist at the B-45. This block is directed along the
north-south line. B44 is tackled at the A-45. RULING: Foul by B21. Following a change of possession no player is allowed to block below the waist in any direction anywhere on the field. 15 yards from the spot of the foul. First and 10 for Team B at the B-30. (9-1-6-c)
Rogers Redding

[whitelightning5]

So in response to that....how do you tell if a player is intentionally going to cut someone's legs or if they are going to take on a block and happen to get low on someone? How often do you see a 15 yard penalty on the defense in this kind of situation? It's kinda like the rule that after a ball carrier's forward progression has been stopped, they are not to be assisted by another offensive player to move the ball forward....aka pushing the pile or the Bush Push. Thats a rule that never gets called either.

[TexMike]

So in response to that....how do you tell if a player is intentionally going to cut someone's legs or if they are going to take on a block and happen to get low on someone? How often do you see a 15 yard penalty on the defense in this kind of situation? It's kinda like the rule that after a ball carrier's forward progression has been stopped, they are not to be assisted by another offensive player to move the ball forward....aka pushing the pile or the Bush Push. Thats a rule that never gets called either.
There is a much greater focus being placed on ALL hits below the waist so you definitely SHOULD see the hit you described flagged (defender taking out lead blockers).
GRTiger is right on target with his comments.

[whitelightning5]

There is a much greater focus being placed on ALL hits below the waist so you definitely SHOULD see the hit you described flagged (defender taking out lead blockers).
GRTiger is right on target with his comments.

The unfortunate part about it is the play I am talking about is never called.... If it is blatent (like diving at someone's shin) that is a flag. If it is taking on a block you can't determine the defensive players intentions. Low man wins and unless it is completely obvious...its never called. This isnt the NFL, in regards to rules protecting players.

[TexMike]

You do not have to judge the defender's intentions other than whether or not he intended to go low.

[GrTigers6]

I actually saw this called for the first time in a game a few weeks ago. After throwing an int the qb dove at the legs of the lead blockers and took both out.
15 yard penalty was assessed on the kickoff

[whitelightning5]

I actually saw this called for the first time in a game a few weeks ago. After throwing an int the qb dove at the legs of the lead blockers and took both out.
15 yard penalty was assessed on the kickoff

I can honestly say....that shocks me. These are typically missed.

[TexMike]

It is not that they are missed, they just don't happen much anymore wich is why you are not seeing and flags. I bet I watch more football video than probably anyone on this board. That play, a defender going low, is 1 of the things I am always looking for so I can clip the video and use it in training presentations. It just ain't happening outside that 10 yard belt where it is legal.