Block on Receiver by DB

[ck4597]

Ran in to a coach who asked the following....

When a receiver clearly goes out for a pass and is contacted by DB and the ball is not thrown, is it still a Illegal block on DB....Im having a vacation brain fart

[Jim D]

No because you're presupposing a few things.  A potential blocker/potential receiver (same thing until the pass is thrown) goes down field and the DB contacts this potential blocker - that's not illegal.  Both offense and defense can block an opponent.

As long as the A player is in position to be a potential blocker, and the pass hasn't been thrown, he can be blocked.

[HLinNC]

See also http://www.refstripes.com/forum/index.php?topic=11039.0

[Ralph Damren]

NC's best HL has rekindled the "excitement" this topic once caused . Consider the results of the following plays with the opinions of the results :

  A 3rd & 12 @ 50....

  (1) Lefty, the QB, fades back to pass as Cyclone , the wideout , sprints downfield;
  (2) At B's 40, Cyclone comes nose to nose with Slim, the D-back, who was daydreaming of the
       prom queen;
  (3) Cyclone is now shoulder to shoulder with Slim and is not a blocking threat;
  (4) Slim's horseman instincts surface as he grabs Cyclone and yells, "Whoa' baby";
  (5a) Lefty's pass is a' sailing over the LOS and in the direction of Cyclone & Lefty's "dance";
          ....or.....
  (5b) Lefty is sacked back at A's 40 by Squid, a blitzing linebacker.

You make the call and enforcements.... (whitehat didn't flag)
  Opinions as to the enforcements being fair will also be accepted....

   

[Atlanta Blue]

Ran in to a coach who asked the following....

That coach wasn't Big John, was it?

[Johnponz]

5a-DPI-1st (not automatic but because the yard to gain was made) and 10 at the B 35

5B-Def. Holding-3rd and 12 (10 yards from the end of the run)@50

No comments on fairness.  Since you are on the rules committee that is your job not mine.

[Ralph Damren]

5a-DPI-1st (not automatic but because the yard to gain was made) and 10 at the B 35

5B-Def. Holding-3rd and 12 (10 yards from the end of the run)@50

No comments on fairness.  Since you are on the rules committee that is your job not mine.

You nailed it !!!
 Some feel that a foul by B on a play whose run ends behind the LOS should have previous spot enforcement.
 I feel that way (but not on fouls by A).
 This was on the docket a couple of years ago.
More than 1/3 of the voters didn't feel that way.

.....and the band played on......

I think it's time for another poll

[Johnponz]

My preference would be to use the NCAA rules at the High School level (maybe changing the NCAA Blocking Below the Waist rule to better fit HS age athletes). 

However, I know that is not going to happen.

[AlUpstateNY]

My preference would be to use the NCAA rules at the High School level (maybe changing the NCAA Blocking Below the Waist rule to better fit HS age athletes).  However, I know that is not going to happen.

When it CLEARLY isn't broken, why be in such a hurry to fix something?

                                                   

[bkdow]

The broken comes in the equity or inequity that some feel the PS would rectify.  Maybe the QB got sacked because he was suppose to pass to the held receiver.  In this situation, they basically get to replay the down without any real penalty assessed to B except A gets to replay the down.