What Is Considered a Block in the Back

In gridiron football, a block in the back is an action in which a blocker contacts a non-ballcarrying member of the opposing team from behind and above the waist. The foul may be called when the area blocked is anywhere on the back. It is against the rules in most leagues, carrying a 10-yard penalty.

Is there a legal block in the back?

Any Offensive player that is on his line of scrimmage and inside the zone at the snap may block below the waist, clip, or block in the back. Any Defensive player that is on his line of scrimmage and inside the zone at the snap may block below the waist.

What is considered an illegal block in football?

In gridiron football, blocking below the waist is an illegal block, from any direction, below the waist by any defensive player or by an offensive player under certain situations, by any player after change of possession, with certain exceptions. It is sometimes incorrectly referred to as a “chop block”.