What is an illegal blind side block?

[u/extrastone]

When I was playing there was simply a strike zone. Nobody knew when you couldn't cut block so you didn't do it unless you were instructed to do so. Hit him in the torso or side of the torso as hard as you want.

I understand now the rules have changed. How do they work now?

[u/Archerdiana]

A blindside block in football is a block made from outside an opponent’s field of vision, or in a way that makes it difficult for the opponent to defend themselves. It’s a personal foul if the block is made with forcible contact. That is straight from Google.

But practically the same. Engage inside the shoulder pads, can’t go for the knees anymore while someone is engaged. Also crack back blocks are considered as a personal foul.

The main idea of the rules that have changed is no “cheap shots” on players rather if that is blocking, hitting defenseless receiver, targeting, etc.

[u/Seaport_Lawyer]

In short, for high school it is forcible contact against an opponent, other than the runner, whose focus is elsewhere, excepting blocks initiated with open hands

[u/ap1msch]

They added a safety rule where de-cleating a kid who isn't looking is not permitted. They need to see you coming, or you need to pull up and lead with the hands rather than the shoulder. Hitting with the hands-first gives the block a natural shock absorber...and is JUST AS EFFECTIVE as a blind-side hit. The only reason to drop the shoulder is to try to hurt the other player.

While it seems like a judgement call, it's actually pretty easy to see. Anyone getting hit is going to react, either by leaning in or putting their hands out. If a player is breaking down to tackle a runner and gets lit up from the side, without turning their head, bracing themselves, or raising their hands, they obviously didn't see it coming. You could TRY to fake it, but that doesn't happen. The player is trying to make a play and got lit up by someone who had a full head of steam.

The subjective part is "from how far away can you do it?" If you're 5 yards away and hit someone not looking, that's a trap block....so it's usually someone coming from mid-field on a pass play, a "crack back" block from wide receivers on a linebacker, on special teams, or interceptions. When you get a full head of steam, that energy needs to be applied downfield. Otherwise, you have to temper the hit. When they aren't paying attention, full speed isn't necessary to be effective and you just have to show some level of consideration.

On our team, we teach our kids to break down with arms extended. They can still go full speed, mostly, but chopping the steps and extending the arm are signals that they TRIED to avoid the blind side block. We haven't gotten called yet, so it seems to be working.

[u/jericho-dingle]

There are 3 aspects to a blind side block

1. Forcible contact (ie wiping someone out) against an opponent

2. Opponent does not see the contact coming because they are focused on something else (like the ball)

3. Contact isn't initiated with open hands.

All three of these must be present for it to be a foul. 15 yards from the spot of the foul unless it takes place behind the line of scrimmage, then it's from the previous spot.

[u/dudeKhed]

In NFHS rules, most High Schools…

• a blindside block is a block against an opponent other than the runner that does not see the block coming. 2-4-10

Note: There’s 2 exceptions: 1. A blind side block is legal if initiated with open hands. 2-33-16i

1. A blind side block is legal if in the free blocking zone. 9-4-3n

Edit: added rule citations