(Rule 2-17-1) The free-blocking zone is a rectangular area established at the snap and is defined as:
- Extending laterally four yards on each side of the spot of the snap
- Extending three yards behind each line of scrimmage
- A player is in the free-blocking zone when any part of his body is in the zone at the snap
(Rule 2-17-4) The free-blocking zone disintegrates immediately when the ball leaves the zone.
Three fouls reference the free-blocking zone:
- Illegal block in the back
- Illegal block below the waist
- Illegal blindside block
Once the ball leaves the FBZ:
- All special blocking exceptions are gone
- Blocking below the waist becomes illegal
- Blocking in the back becomes illegal
- Blindside blocks are governed by their standard restrictions
Illegal Block in the Back (Rule 2-17-3)
Blocking in the back is permitted only in the free-blocking zone when all conditions are met:
- Offensive linemen are on the line of scrimmage and in the free-blocking zone at the snap
- The opponent is in the free-blocking zone at the snap (does not have to be a lineman)
- The contact occurs in the free-blocking zone
If any of these conditions is not met, the block is illegal. Once the ball leaves the FBZ, the exception disappears.
Illegal Block Below the Waist (Rules 2-17-2, 9-3-2a)
Blocking below the waist is illegal except:
In the free-blocking zone, when the contact meets the requirements of Rule 2-17.
(Rule 2-17-2) Blocking below the waist in the free-blocking zone is legal only if all conditions are met:
- All players involved are on the line of scrimmage and in the free-blocking zone at the snap
- The contact occurs in the free-blocking zone and is an immediate, initial action following the snap
The ball’s location does not matter when ruling on blocks below the waist. Whether the quarterback is under center, in the pistol, or in the shotgun doesn’t matter.
The timing of the block matters; it must be immediate, initial action at the snap.
Illegal Blindside Block (Rule 9-4-3n)
A blindside block is illegal outside the free-blocking zone if forceful contact is made unless initiated with open hands.
This means a blindside block is legal in the free-blocking zone if the contact is otherwise legal (e.g., the blocker is not guilty of illegal helmet contact). If the FBZ hasn’t disintegrated, the blocked player can be knocked on his keister, the blocker doesn’t need to use open hands, and the blocked player doesn’t need to see the blocker approaching.
Quiz
Read the quiz stem and then choose the best answer.
3/5 from the A-22. Quarterback A12 takes the snap and runs laterally behind the line of scrimmage, remaining within the free-blocking zone. After taking four steps to his left, he hands the ball directly to A45, who is running laterally to his right behind the line of scrimmage and within the free-blocking zone. During A12’s run and the subsequent handoff, tackle A67 takes a step to his right and then dives to his left to block B77 below the waist.
- No foul because the ball remained in the free blocking zone
- Foul for blocking below the waist because the block was not immediate initial action
Review Rules 2-3-7 and 2-17-2