"Original Position of the Ball"

[TXMike]

Apparently the definition of "original poisition of the ball" in the blocking beow the waist rule is not what we were used to thinking of in days gone by. That "spot" was actually a line that ran through the long axis of the ball, parallel to the sideline, all the way to the endline (N-S line). I am told that now that really does refer to a spot (or a general area anyway).  This came out at the CFO West clinic this weekend.  Is that what you are hearing in other parts of the country?

This would make a"crackback" within the first few yards of the line of scrimmage illegal if done by a restricted blocker but legal if done further downfield , i.e. 5 or more yards.   

[justaLJ]

Hmmmm, that's interesting, have not heard that interpretation.  At another BCS conference clinic, it was described as less about an angle relative to a N-S line and more about the block being clearly toward the inside.  No mention of actual spot or general area.

[TxSkyBolt]

and it was emphasized that the movement toward the original position of the ball needs to be fairly immediate as in at the snap, the offender moves roughly parallel down the LOS towards the original position of the ball and blocks low.

[NVFOA_Ump]

Isn't all of the "original position of the ball" and "adjacent sideline" language that relates to blocking below the waist now gone?  The 2013 language seems to determine the legality/illegality of blocks below the waist block strictly based on the initial contact being " ... between “10 o’clock and 2 o’clock” forward of the player being blocked"  (new 2013 wording in 9.1.6) with the only remaining "direction" restriction language being back toward the end zone.

Is there any remaining BBW language that uses the "original position of the ball" or "adjacent sideline" concepts for 2013?

[TXMike]

C'mon Roy.  You gotta keep up.   A subpara 4 was added that talks about blocks to orig position of the ball.

[NVFOA_Ump]

Must be sleeping too much since I retired.  Has there been any updated ARs or bulletins that would explain the new paragraph 4 to be any different from previous year’s guidance?

[NVFOA_Ump]

Doesn't new AR 9-1-6-VIII directly address this issue with it's final sentence?

AR 9-1-6-VIII. Third and seven at the A-30. The ball is at the left hash mark. Back A22 is split completely outside the frame of the tackle on the left side, and B40 moves out to cover him. The handoff goes to back A44 who sweeps around the right end. As the play develops B40 follows the play and A22 chases him. At the A-40 beyond the right hash mark A22 overtakes B40 and blocks him below the waist clearly and directly at the front. The  direction of this block is downfield and slightly toward the right sideline. A44 is tackled at the B-45.

RULING: Legal play. The block made directly in front of the opponent is legal no matter which sideline it is toward, since it is not toward Team A’s end line.

Would the ruling be illegal if the play occured when the ball was still inside the box?

[younggun]

No would still be legal, he is a 'restricted' player which means the only blocking he can do is from the front (10-2) of an opponent, does not matter where the ball is.

[NVFOA_Ump]

No would still be legal, he is a 'restricted' player which means the only blocking he can do is from the front (10-2) of an opponent, does not matter where the ball is.

That doesn't appear to comply with the new paragraph 9-1-6-4 that was added in the 2013-2014 Revision 1 of the rulebook that was posted on the NCAA rules site recently.

4. Players not covered in paragraph 1 (above) may not block below the waist toward the original position of the ball at the snap.