"Chop Block" Caused by Defender

[TXMike]

Are umpires seeing more of this type of action (defenders holding linemen)?  Seems that by calling this a chop block, not only are we punishing Team A but that by not calling the hold we are double punishing them

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[Curious]

Actually have observed a little of this in HS; but mostly while watching NCAA and NFL games.  Seems that it is being taught to "control the run" - especially when 3-5-5 or 3-4-4 defenses are being employed.

I might guess that the use of these defenses (and thus the technique) is in response to the up-tempo, wide open offenses becoming more prevalent.

[Dr.G]

This grabbing technique by defensive linemen is not new. 9-3-4abcd addresses this. It still is a judgement call. Was the guard engaged when the tackle went low? Was the defender trying to pull the guard out of his way to get to the ball? As an offensive lineman in college when this block was legal, we took out a lot of defensive player's knees using this block. The rule is there to protect the defense. I think the umpire was erring on the safety side. I can't disagree with the call. As far as calling holding on the defense, I think that is a slippery slope. If you call it, it better be where everyone in the stands can see it.

[JasonTX]

I would not have a chop block on this play.  The defensive holding foul was emphasised this year.  We see this more when the guard is pulling, the defender will grab him to prevent him from pulling out to block.  In this play it appears the defender was grabbing him to prevent him from getting to the linebacker, thus freeing up the linebacker to be able to be in a position to make the tackle.  The other technique is the pull and shoot.  Pull the guard out of the way and the linebacker can shoot the open gap.

[NVFOA_Ump]

I would not have a chop block on this play.  ......

I'd agree with Jason here.  A-61 never initiated any contact so I would not judge that he actually engaged B, therefore no chop block.  Also, IMO B's grab or "shed" or whatever term you want to use, was not enough in my judgment to cross the line and become a defensive holding call.

[Dr.G]

I agree, I would not have had a chop block on this play. I still don't disagree with the call. I do think it was weak. The angle we're looking at doesn't give us a good view from the umpire's side of the ball. When the play is blown up in slow motion, the first thing I see is the guard taking a zone blocking step to playside. He is essentially trying to miss the defensive tackle trying to combo to the backside LB. The defensive tackle from this view appears to grab the guard based on the guard's body movements towards the end of the blocking sequence. From the umpire's perspective, he may have seen a guard trying to square up and seal the backside. We don't have his view. Would I call defensive holding? Probably not. At this point in the game (early in 2nd quarter) I would have already been talking to my linemen trying to do some preventive officiating if this had been going on the first couple of series.

[Dakota Dan]

This is a technique used by the DT that is being taught/coached in the NFL and it is trickling down to the collegiate level.  The idea is to hold up the guard and prevent him from getting to the LB or to prevent him from picking up a looping DE and allowing the LB/DE to roam free to make the tackle.   For the past couple seasons, the clinics that I have been going to have been stressing this and that we need to pick this up and when we see a high/low action, we need to first “process” what the DT is doing before we throw the flag for CHB.  In this clip, we have to notice that the DT is holding up the G.  Next, we have to see if the LB is roaming free which he is… then we have to “process” that there is no CHB but instead a DH.  In this clip, this would be classified as a “classic DH” by the DT.