IFCA Viewpoint-by Steve Milder
As the NFHS Football Rules Committee considers eliminating all blocks
below the waist, I believe a discussion needs to take place to insure what
changes should happen if any. Why would coaches, officials and athletic
associations want the change? We need clarity on terminology that will help
both coaches and officials. Finally, do we need to change the rules or enforce
the rules already in place?
As a forty year veteran of high school football, I've seen many
changes to our game. I have not always agreed with the changes but sometimes we
have no say. On issues such as blocking-below-the-waist in the free blocking
zone, it is hard to get total support for either side. But to say nothing, does
not help those looking at this rule. I want to thank those coaches who attended
the regional meetings that discussed this issue as well to the coaches that
completed the online survey that was part of emails sent by Todd Tharp on
December 2nd and 11th.
IFCA
Recommendation
In January the Football Advisory Committee will meet in Boone and the
IFCA will make a recommendation on blocking-below-the-waist in the free
blocking zone. The consensus of the seven regional meetings was to leave the
rule the same and to ask for more consistency in the enforcement. The Board of
Directors approved this recommendation and it will be our position.
Terminology
As I looked for guidance on blocking-below-the-waist, I couldn't find
a clear definition of what is the waist. I've often thought if they mean on the
Jersey why not say that. For example, on a crackback block by a wide receiver
on a linebacker, why not say that the block must be on the front of the jersey?
Rule 2-3-7 gives a definition for blocking-below-the-waist (NFHS, 2012).
On run blocking using the shoulder block (some still do), as the blocker makes
contact with the defender, the clinched hand could be just above the thigh pad
and the top of the Shoulder Pad could make contact with the Jersey. So is he
above the waist? Rule 2-3-7 does not state entirely above the waist nor does it
address any part above the waist.
In 2011, an article on cut
blocks stated that most coaches use this term for blocks at and below the knee but the NFHS does
not have this as one of the definitions in the Rule 2: Definitions in the
football sport manual(Snyder, 2011).
Free Blocking Zone is a rectangular area extended laterally 4 yards
either side of the spot of snap and 3 yards behind each line of scrimmage
(NFHS, 2012).
Why Change is
needed?
A little over a decade ago, I took players to linemen camps where they
were exposed to very knowledgeable Hall of Fame coaches. We went to UNI with
Don Erusha, to English Valley with Ed Thomas and finally to Iowa Central with
Duane Twait. The blocking techniques they taught were a little different but they
agreed on the goal of controlling the hips of the defender on run blocking. The
best way to control the hips of the defender is to be at or just below the hips
and below the waist. If I'm allowed to make contact above the thigh pad I can
execute this block, but am I at the waist?
The reason for the elimination of blocking-below-the-waist has been
ties to reducing of injuries, primarily knee. The above scenario has no one
attacking the knee or putting unnecessary pressure on the knee. Thus not all
blocks below the waist do not increase the chances of knee injuries.
Have we seen an increase in knee injuries to linemen? I do not have
statistics on this but I'm sure some will be shared at the NFHS Football Rules
Meeting. If so, how has the game changed that might lead to that increase? With
the wide open passing attacks of the 21st century, are we seeing
more cut blocks? In 2014, West Central threw more passes than we normally do in
half a decade. I also had more linemen attempting and executing cut blocks. In
the past few years, I've seen more defensive players cutting offensive linemen.
This was especially true last fall in the 2A championship game. It might be
causing more injuries?
Enforcement
Problems with the enforcement of blocking-below-the waist are not new
for the Football Rule Makers and Supervisors. In the 2012 NFHS Rule Book this
was point 4 on Points of Emphasis. In
2013 it again appear as point 3 on the Points of Emphasis. The IHSAA included
blocking-below-the-waist in a memo in September 2013, sent to all officials and
school. It also was a Point of Emphasis in the 2014-15 officials manual. It's
no wonder that IFCA has asked that the rules be enforced consistently.
When talking to coaches about the blocking-below-the-waist, they are
often talking about incidents out of the free blocking zone. Blocks on the edge
or down field and if all low blocks are eliminated it would be an easier call
for officials. Officials and Coaches can find sources that explain the rules
and how an official crew can successfully make sure blocks-below-the-waist are legal
(Snyder, 2011) (Goodall, 2002).
Closure
The IFCA is advocating for no change at this time. I'm encouraging
coaches to examine, how eliminating all blocks below the waist will impact your
program and the possible elimination of all cut blocks on both sides of the
ball. Coaches need to be vocal and complete surveys before rule changes occur.
Coaches are encouraged to send HUDL videos to Todd Tharp and please identify
plays where you've seen uncalled infractions especially with
blocking-below-the-waist.
Sources:
Goodall, D. and Gersey, T. Free Blocking Zone. Retrieved Dec. 27,
2014 from Officials Quarterly, Summer 2002. http://www.wdfoa.org/training/materials
Gardner,R (Publisher). 2012 NFHS
Football Rules Book, NFHS Publications 2012.
Snyder,E. and Levitsky, G. Cut
Blocking, Retrieved Dec. 27, 2014 from NFHS www.nfhs.arbitersports.com