coachbronk
Six-man fan
Can I get a clear cut explanation on what the boundaries are for cut blocking by RBs and WRs? I’ve been given at least 3 different explanations this season and none of them are consistent with the other.
Cut Blocks
- Thread starter coachbronk
- Start date
Legacy Zebra
Six-man fan
It all depends on where they line up and whether or not they are in motion at the snap. Before we get into this, it’s important to remember that the tackle box is defined as 5 yards laterally on either side of the ball and goes from the line of scrimmage all the way back to the offense’s end line. It does not grow or shrink depending on your formation.
If a player is on the line of scrimmage in the tackle box at the snap, he may block low from the front or side in any direction as long as the ball and the blocker have not left the tackle box.
If a player is stationary in the backfield in the tackle box at the snap, he may block low in any direction until he or the ball leave the tackle box. However, unlike a player on the line, he may only block from the front, or “10 to 2”. If he blocks low from the side, it is a foul.
A player who is outside the tackle box or in motion anywhere at the snap is only allowed to block low from the from and away from the original position of the ball. So if the ball is snapped on the right hash, low blocks by these players must be directed away from the right hash or directly upfield. If he blocks low from the side or toward the original position of the ball, it is a foul.
Once the ball or blocker leaves the tackle box, all low blocks must be away from the original position of the ball and from the front no matter where the player was at the snap.
Also, once the ball leaves the tackle box, nobody may block low toward their own end line.
If a player is on the line of scrimmage in the tackle box at the snap, he may block low from the front or side in any direction as long as the ball and the blocker have not left the tackle box.
If a player is stationary in the backfield in the tackle box at the snap, he may block low in any direction until he or the ball leave the tackle box. However, unlike a player on the line, he may only block from the front, or “10 to 2”. If he blocks low from the side, it is a foul.
A player who is outside the tackle box or in motion anywhere at the snap is only allowed to block low from the from and away from the original position of the ball. So if the ball is snapped on the right hash, low blocks by these players must be directed away from the right hash or directly upfield. If he blocks low from the side or toward the original position of the ball, it is a foul.
Once the ball or blocker leaves the tackle box, all low blocks must be away from the original position of the ball and from the front no matter where the player was at the snap.
Also, once the ball leaves the tackle box, nobody may block low toward their own end line.
Legacy Zebra
Six-man fan
Yeah, I thought I had put that at the very beginning, but I guess it got deleted as I was trying to edit together my response. Thanks.
I would like to know what the new rule is. Can someone post a link to it, or summarize it?
Tom Duncan
Six-man fan
dammitbobby
Six-man fan
Here's a quick summary doc I put together. @Legacy Zebra and @JasonTX please let me know if I missed anything.
dammitbobby
Six-man fan
Just realized - the TE referenced is for 11-man football, not 6. Other than should all be the same.
Legacy Zebra
Six-man fan
Offensive backs may not block low from the side, regardless of initial charge or not. Only linemen within the tackle box may block low from the side.
The defensive side of your doc needs a couple tweaks. The defense is allowed to block low from the side. But all low blocks by the defense must be on the initial charge whether its from the front or side.
Things that are no longer legal that used to be:
A wide out blocking low anywhere anytime.
A lead blocker on a sweep kicking out with a low block after leaving the tackle box
A blocker who drops into pass protection and then sees a rusher coming and then blocks him low from the side
And most importantly, a defensive player cutting a lead blocker on a sweep or counter play.
The defensive side of your doc needs a couple tweaks. The defense is allowed to block low from the side. But all low blocks by the defense must be on the initial charge whether its from the front or side.
Things that are no longer legal that used to be:
A wide out blocking low anywhere anytime.
A lead blocker on a sweep kicking out with a low block after leaving the tackle box
A blocker who drops into pass protection and then sees a rusher coming and then blocks him low from the side
And most importantly, a defensive player cutting a lead blocker on a sweep or counter play.
ArnaudAmalric
Six-man pro
Man sounds like we’ll be throwing the little guys to the wayside now. Bring out the big boys.
That’s a shame I loved watching some beautiful cut blocks to open up the green pastures on a sweep. Gives the game more of an 8man feel to it IMO.
That’s a shame I loved watching some beautiful cut blocks to open up the green pastures on a sweep. Gives the game more of an 8man feel to it IMO.
CoachTravisR
Six-man fan
So this is where this gets fuzzy for me in the 6-man Game. Say the Offense is in a "Diamond Spread" formation. It's a sweep to the Right.
So can My Right Up-back can't cut block that PSDE? Because in a Deep Backfield Spread formation like that, what counts as the "Tackle Box?"
Hopefully I'm making sense with this. But this new released rule seems to be very heavy 11-man related and there's just a lot of grey area when it comes to the unique 6-man formations we see.
So can My Right Up-back can't cut block that PSDE? Because in a Deep Backfield Spread formation like that, what counts as the "Tackle Box?"
Hopefully I'm making sense with this. But this new released rule seems to be very heavy 11-man related and there's just a lot of grey area when it comes to the unique 6-man formations we see.
Legacy Zebra
Six-man fan
The tackle box is defined as 5 yards to either side of the ball at the snap and all the way back to the offense's end line. That definition is the same in 6- and 11-man football.
So it doesn't matter how far back they line up; what matters is how wide they line up and where the block occurs. If the up back is less than five yards to the left or right of the ball, regardless of depth, he is in the tackle box. As long as he is stationary at the snap, he is allowed to block low within the tackle box as long as the ball is still in the tackle box and the block is from the front. So here are some rough diagrams to try to illustrate what I think you're talking about. Obviously not to scale. Let's say player number 6 is carrying the ball here.
The first is just a presnap formation. Numbers 1 and 3 are not allowed to block low anywhere at any time. Number 2 is allowed to block low from the side if it is during his initial charge. Numbers 2, 4, 5, and 6 are allowed to block low from the front within the tackle box as long as the ball is in the tacklebox. Once the ball has left the tackle box, nobody is allowed to block low no matter what. In the second diagram, the ball is still in the tacklebox and the block is in the tackle box as well, so it's legal. In the third, the block is outside the tackle box so it would be a foul no matter where the ball is. And in the 4th, the ball has left the tackle box so it 4's low block would be a foul no matter where it occurs.
So it doesn't matter how far back they line up; what matters is how wide they line up and where the block occurs. If the up back is less than five yards to the left or right of the ball, regardless of depth, he is in the tackle box. As long as he is stationary at the snap, he is allowed to block low within the tackle box as long as the ball is still in the tackle box and the block is from the front. So here are some rough diagrams to try to illustrate what I think you're talking about. Obviously not to scale. Let's say player number 6 is carrying the ball here.
The first is just a presnap formation. Numbers 1 and 3 are not allowed to block low anywhere at any time. Number 2 is allowed to block low from the side if it is during his initial charge. Numbers 2, 4, 5, and 6 are allowed to block low from the front within the tackle box as long as the ball is in the tacklebox. Once the ball has left the tackle box, nobody is allowed to block low no matter what. In the second diagram, the ball is still in the tacklebox and the block is in the tackle box as well, so it's legal. In the third, the block is outside the tackle box so it would be a foul no matter where the ball is. And in the 4th, the ball has left the tackle box so it 4's low block would be a foul no matter where it occurs.
It’s simple, just hit weight room more and tell the guys get ready to use strength, good technique and drive those feet!! They’ll be fine! This is good in my eyes for 6man players to get evaluated better for next level. In my opinion.. this is good conversation though let’s keep it going
Wildcats5421
Six-man expert
I just hope it eliminates that crap where the defense comes flying in and cuts the offensive lead blocker to me that is one of the most dangerous this we have going on. Take that lead block on and quit trying to take a knee out every play.
Legacy Zebra
Six-man fan
That is one of the main blocks that the rules committee wants gone. The only time the defense is now allowed to go low is immediately after the snap. So a defender cutting a pulling guard or lead blocker on a sweep is now a foul.
