Nowhere can I find the requirements of who can perform a blindside block and/or who can receive a blindside block within the free blocking zone not initiated with open hands. I can understand what the intent of the rule may have been. I am looking for rules support, which I do not believe exists. I cant even find where the free blocking zone would disintegrate for this type of block as 2-17-4 specifically mentions only BIB/BBW.
Definition of a blindside block: “A blindside block is a block against an opponent other than the runner, who does not see the blocker approaching.”
Definition of a block in the back: “Blocking in the back is a block against an opponent when the initial contact is in the opponent’s back, inside the shoulders and below the helmet and above the waist, and not against a player who is a runner or pretending to be a runner.”
So all blocks in back are blindside blocks, but not all blindside blocks are blocks in the back. Blindside blocks, from the front or side, can easily happen on a long kick return or after an interception, when one player "de-cleats" another player who did not see him coming.
Blocks in the back, either open handed or not, are legal in the FBZ, as long as the other requirements are met.
Blocks in the back, outside of the FBZ, are always illegal.
Blindside blocks, either open handed or not, are legal in the FBZ, as long as the other requirements are met.
Blindside blocks, outside of the FBZ, are legal as long as they are initiated with open hands.