Football Officiating > NCAA Discussion
Blocking Below the Waist 2022
ElvisLives:
2022 NCAA Blocking Below the Waist (BBW)
By what we have seen in writing to date the big differences appear to be:
1. No more BBW by any A player that was NOT within the tackle box at the snap. Period. Period.
2. The only Team A players that will be allowed to BBW from the side are Team A linemen on their initial charge. (We'll need to get a better and uniform understanding of what "initial charge" is.)
3. Once the ball leaves the tackle box, no Team A BBW is allowed. (This may apply to Team B, too; see 5 below.)
4. No more BBW by Team B players outside the tackle box at the snap. Period. Anywhere. Any time.
5. Some Team B players will be allowed to BBW from the side (as well as from the front). Those are B players within a yard of the NZ and within the tackle box on their initial charge. (Oh, so the tackle box is being expanded to cover defensive linemen, as well, now.) No mention of BBW from the front in the TB being OK only until the ball leaves the TB, but I'll be on it. I'll bet the final language prohibits everyone from BBW once the ball leaves the TB.
The more I look at this, the more I think it will make our job easier. No more worrying about "toward the ball" or not. No more worrying about "10/2" for blocks outside the TB - illegal.
I'll bet it doesn't impact the game as much as some may fear. Should be good for the game.
One man's opinion.
dammitbobby:
I agree, I think this will simplify BBW substantially.
re 5 - I interpret 'Those are B players within a yard of the NZ and within the tackle box on their initial charge' as they must be IN the tackle box, meaning they have 2 conditions: have to penetrate past the LOS but not more than one yard, and they must be inside the boundaries of the TB. For both requirements, (obvious, but still worth saying) the TB must still exist/be relevant, before they can block low. That's a pretty narrow belt of real estate for them to operate in.
Just my interpretation.
ElvisLives:
--- Quote from: dammitbobby on March 17, 2022, 02:57:15 PM ---I agree, I think this will simplify BBW substantially.
re 5 - I interpret 'Those are B players within a yard of the NZ and within the tackle box on their initial charge' as they must be IN the tackle box, meaning they have 2 conditions: have to penetrate past the LOS but not more than one yard, and they must be inside the boundaries of the TB. For both requirements, (obvious, but still worth saying) the TB must still exist/be relevant, before they can block low. That's a pretty narrow belt of real estate for them to operate in.
Just my interpretation.
--- End quote ---
We'll just have to see what the final language is, but, considering a Team A BBW (any direction) initiated up to 1 yard beyond the NZ on the "initial charge" is legal for Team A (by the language we have so far), it would only be right and fair to allow a B player positioned within a yard of the NZ at the snap to make a BBW in that same area, i.e., 1 yard beyond the NZ to wherever the TB ends in 2022, while the ball is in the TB, and on the "initial charge." As to what is the "initial charge," I assume we will be given direction in the coming days, weeks, months.
What ifs:
1) Lineman within the TB A77 slips and falls as he charges forward at the snap, then, as others are making blocks around him, he regains his feet and blocks A55 (no longer in contact with any other A player) below the waist from the side. OK? Too late (not his "initial charge")?
2) Lineman within the TB A77 retreats to pass block, then, as B55 approaches at a point approx 2 yards behind the NZ, A77 lowers his body and blocks B55 from the side. OK? Too late (not part of the "initial charge")?
3) Lineman within the TB A77 'pulls' and runs several yards laterally before lowering his body and blocking B55 below the waist from the side, within the tackle box. OK? Too late (not part of the "initial charge")?
I can hear the coaches now: "THAT WAS HIS INITIAL CHARGE!!!! THAT WAS LEGAL!! THAT'S A HORRIBLE CALL!"
And, it seems that we'll need a change in the definition of the tackle box: 5 yards either side of the snapper, from 1 yard beyond the NZ to A's end line (?).
Etref:
New rule will definitely make pass protection for a back more difficult, can’t cut block on the big boys coming in!
bossman72:
--- Quote from: Etref on March 18, 2022, 08:29:44 AM ---New rule will definitely make pass protection for a back more difficult, can’t cut block on the big boys coming in!
--- End quote ---
I believe the rule says you can cut within the tackle box. I don't think it was restricted to just linemen.
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