Block in the back during a loose ball

[Firetackle]

Backward pass is muffed behind the line of scrimmage. During a loose ball offensive player who muffed a pass is blocked in the back by a defender who next recovers the ball while on the ground. Block in the back was not made with open hands. What do you have? Rules reference please.

[El Macman]

Backward pass is muffed behind the line of scrimmage. During a loose ball offensive player who muffed a pass is blocked in the back by a defender who next recovers the ball while on the ground. Block in the back was not made with open hands. What do you have? Rules reference please.

9-3-3-c, opponents may block each other in the back above the waist to get to a backward pass (in flight or after touching the ground).

[NVFOA_Ump]

Here's the whole 9-3-3-c text:

A block in the back is illegal (A.R. 9-1-2-XVII, A.R. 9-3-3-VII, A.R. 9-3-4-III and A.R. 10-2-2-XXII).
Exceptions:
1. Offensive players who are on the line of scrimmage at the snap within the blocking zone (Rule 2-3-6) may legally block in the back in the blocking zone, subject to the following restrictions:
(a) A player on the line of scrimmage within this blocking zone may not leave the zone and return and legally block in the back.
(b) The blocking zone exists until the ball is touched outside the zone or the ball is outside the zone after a fumble or muff from inside the zone.
2. When a player turns his back to a potential blocker who has committed himself in intent and direction or movement.
3. When a player attempts to reach a runner or legally attempts to recover or catch a fumble, a muff, a backward pass, a kick or a touched forward pass, he may push an opponent in the back above the waist (Rule 9-1-2-d Exception 3) (A.R. 6-3-1-III).
4. When the opponent turns his back to the blocker under Rule 9-3-3-a-1-(b).

Still requires judgment to decide if any of the exceptions will apply but I'd agree with El Macman and start with 3. attempting to recover a loose ball.  The player in question must be making a legitimate attempt to get to the loose ball, and not just trying to take out the offensive player.

[Firetackle]

9-3-3-c exp 3 says player may push an opponent in the back... 2-3-1-b says pushing is blocking with open hands. That's the whole point of my question.

[El Macman]

9-3-3-c exp 3 says player may push an opponent in the back... 2-3-1-b says pushing is blocking with open hands. That's the whole point of my question.

Yeah, and your point is quite correct - on paper. I was simply envisioning what we typically see with the majority of blocks in the back  - pushing. However, if the blocker was to, indeed, throw a shoulder into the middle of opponent's back, then yes, technically, that woukld be an illegal block in the back. I recall the "pushing" definition being added, and the BIB language being carefully edited some years ago for that very reason (must have happened somewhere, sometime). But, I dare say you aren't likely to see anything but a push in the back to get to a loose ball. Even if I saw a shoulder bump, if it was in an attempt to get to the ball - not just to knock the opponent down - I doubt I'd make a call. Let 'em play.

[Firetackle]

Thanks, that's what I wanted to hear.

[Diablo]

Yeah, and your point is quite correct - on paper. I was simply envisioning what we typically see with the majority of blocks in the back  - pushing. However, if the blocker was to, indeed, throw a shoulder into the middle of opponent's back, then yes, technically, that woukld be an illegal block in the back.

It is noteworthy that a similar administration occurs in the exceptions to a clipping foul.
 
Under 9-1-2-d:
3. When a player attempts to reach a runner or legally attempts to
recover or catch a fumble, a muff, a backward pass, a kick or a
touched forward pass, he may push an opponent below the waist at
or to the buttocks (Rule 9-3-3-c, Exception 3) (A.R. 6-3-1-III).
4. When an eligible player behind the neutral zone pushes an opponent
below the waist at or to the buttocks to get to a forward pass (Rule
9-3-3-c, Exception 5).

I interpret those to mean that a player cannot block with a shoulder anywhere below the waist.  However, he can push with his hands at or above the butt, but not below the butt.