Block in the Back Question

[TxSkyBolt]

I come across something that is confusing and seemingly at odds between rules.

9-3-3c3. When a player attempts to reach a runner or legally attempts to recover
or catch a fumble, a backward pass, a kick or a touched forward pass, he
may push an opponent in the back above the waist.

When Ball Is Loose
9-3 ARTICLE 6. When the ball is loose, no player shall hold an opponent; illegally
block an opponent in the back; twist, turn or pull an opponent’s face mask or
any helmet opening; or illegally use his hands or commit a personal foul (A.R.
7-3-9-I).

One seems to say a player can block in the back when trying to recover a fumble and the other seems to say it's not allowed. Is the word "illegally" in 9-3-6 supposed to mean "clip"?

thanks and best regards,

Brad

[Diablo]

2-3-1-b says that pushing an opponent with open hands is a type of block.
9-3-3-c, Exception 3 defines circumstances in which a pushing block in the back is legal.  Non-pushing blocks in the back are illegal in those circumstances.

[ljudge]

These are not in conflict or otherwise at "odds" based on the following.  On a punt play team A cannot "legally" touch the kick until it's touched by team B; otherwise, you would have illegal touching.  Team A cannot legally block in the back because he's not legally allowed to touch the ball.  Now once team B touches the ball team A can then legally touch the ball and therefore block in the back to get to a ball he can legally touch or possess.  Of course blocking in the back almost always occurs on team B when the flyer gets by the team B player and the team B player winds up in "chase mode."  It's rare that you seem team A doing this but it's definitely a foul for BIB by team A if he indeed blocks in the back before he's legally allowed to touch the ball.