Blocking zone disintegrates

[zarganis]

My apologies if this question has been asked before...

If the offensive team lines up in such a  way that they have the center and a holder and a kicker in the middle of the field and the rest of the offensive line set up near the sideline ('swinging gate' formation), does this mean that the blocking zone never exists on the play?

The rule says that the blocking zone is centered on the middle lineman, which means that the ball starts outside of it. It also says that the blocking zone disintegrates when the ball leaves the zone. Of course, this never really happens on this play, but common sense would probably dictate that there is no blocking zone.

Just wanted to get some clarification on this after some discussion with other officials.

[Diablo]

If the offensive team lines up in such a  way that they have the center and a holder and a kicker in the middle of the field and the rest of the offensive line set up near the sideline ('swinging gate' formation), does this mean that the blocking zone never exists on the play?

Would not the blocking zone be in place if the snapper backward-passed the ball to a back positioned behind the offensive linemen near the sideline?   

[zarganis]

I suppose it's another thing to consider, but it still doesn't really change the fundamental question. Even in this case, the ball starts outside the blocking zone (which isn't centered on the snapper).

[NVFOA_Ump]

Do the rules and the related definitions within the rules state that the ball has to start in the blocking zone?

[clearwall]

I dont see anything that defines who the "middle lineman" is. The rules only refer to him, but never actually tells us who he IS. In a swinging gate, you still have to have at least one person on either side of the snapper so in my opinion, hes always in the middle of SOMETHING.

[NVFOA_Ump]

I dont see anything that defines who the "middle lineman" is. The rules only refer to him, but never actually tells us who he IS. In a swinging gate, you still have to have at least one person on either side of the snapper so in my opinion, hes always in the middle of SOMETHING.

But if A has 11 on the field in a legal formation there are at least 7linemen so he's not the "middle lineman" in the conventional 5-2 swinging gate.  Haven't we been told in the past if we don't have a rule book definition we just use the standard dictionary definition?

XXXXX        SX

[clearwall]

Well, how would that be different than a standard unbalanced line?

   Z      XXXXX   Y
                X                        Z
            X      X

You still have the blocking line centered on the snapper who, unless im mistaken, is the middle lineman even though there are more players to one side than the other

[NVFOA_Ump]

Isn't the middle lineman the M?

Well, how would that be different than a standard unbalanced line?

   Z      XXMXX   Y
                X                        Z
            X      X

You still have the blocking line centered on the snapper who, unless im mistaken, is the middle lineman even though there are more players to one side than the other

[clearwall]

Thats my question, I see nothing in the rules that defines 'middle lineman.' TxMike, do you have guidance?

[NVFOA_Ump]

Doesn't the standard dictionary definition suffice:

1.  equally distant from the extremes or outer limits; central: the middle point of a line; the middle singer in a trio.

[Hawkeye]

Not to get all math here, but middle lineman would be the lineman such that 3 are to the left and three are to the right (think median).

[clearwall]

So the question remains, if that is the case and the Center snaps the ball, the QB is NEVER inside the tackle box and can intentionally ground at any point if necessary?

[TxSkyBolt]

So the question remains, if that is the case and the Center snaps the ball, the QB is NEVER inside the tackle box and can intentionally ground at any point if necessary?

Sure he is:
SECTION 34. Tackle Box
ARTICLE 1. a. The tackle box is the rectangular area enclosed by the neutral zone,
the two lines parallel to the sidelines five yards from the snapper, and Team A’s end
line. (See Appendix D.)