Referred to as a ‘chop block’, one of the prohibited blocks in football entails a variety of rules, particularly pertaining to blocking. There exist both permissible and impermissible blocks.
So, what exactly is a chop block in football?
Blocks that are cut to be similar are known as chop blocks. In football, a chop block is a type of illegal block that occurs when one offensive player blocks the lower body of another offensive player while another offensive player blocks the upper body.
Cut blocks are distinct from chop blocks in the NFL and their functioning. This article will explain the penalties imposed for chop blocks and the reasons behind their illegality. We will delve into the definition and distinctions of chop blocks, in comparison to cut blocks. Furthermore, we will explore the evaluation process for chop block penalties.
At the same time, two attacking players obstruct a defensive player while a chop block takes place. One offensive player will block the lower portion of the defender’s body, while the other player will obstruct the defender above their waist.
The block is unlawful in both cases; it is irrelevant which offensive player starts the contact. If the block is not a chop block, the defensive player starts the contact. The two offensive players must commence contact with the defensive player for a chop block to transpire.
If, for example, offensive players try to avoid making contact with the defensive player, it is not an intentional act to make contact with the defensive player. Additionally, it is not considered a block chop if two offensive players do not intentionally make contact with the defensive player.
What Is a Cut Block in Football?
The offensive player, who is the only attacking player in the lower half of the defensive lineup, executes a block chop that resembles a cut block performed by the defensive player in the upper half of the offensive lineup.
Are Cut Blocks Illegal in Football?
In football, blocks that cut or chop are legal, as long as there is only one offensive blocking player and one defensive blocking player in the direction of play. There is no penalty for such blocks.
The way this is blocked presents a higher risk for injury because it can be dangerous for defensive players. They can be considered playing dirty against the other team, although they are legal.
What Is the Penalty for a Chop Block?
The attacking team will be pushed back an additional 15 yards from their own end zone. A 15-yard penalty is imposed on the team that commits a chop block.
If the defensive team commits a chop block penalty, the offense must also commit a 15-yard penalty in order to offset the penalties. Similarly, if the offensive team commits a penalty during the same play, the defense must also commit a 15-yard penalty. If both teams commit a chop block penalty, there is a possibility that the penalties will cancel each other out. However, if one team commits a penalty while the other team commits a chop block penalty, there is a possibility that the penalties will cancel each other out.
If the defense commits a penalty worth less than 15 yards, there are a few ways in which officials will enforce the two penalties depending on the league.
According to the NFL Rulebook, the 15-yard penalty would be imposed against the offense, and the officials would ignore the defense’s penalty. In the same manner as a major foul, a chop block is given priority over a minor defensive penalty.
The penalty yards would be incurred for the offense, and in other leagues, two such penalties would cancel each other out, similar to the CFL.
The final result of the penalty would be a five yard offense against the So, both penalties would be enforced and result in a net loss of five yards for each team. For example, if the defense commits a 10-yard penalty during the same play, the offense commits a chop block.
The officials decide on the accidental contact in the case of chop block movements, but a penalty for chop block will not be enforced.
NFL Rules on Chop Blocks
Prior to the commencement of the 2016 season, certain circumstances allowed for the legitimacy of chop blocks. The NFL prohibits chop blocks, and if committed, a penalty of 15 yards is incurred.
The official regulation for chop blocks in the NFL is as stated:
Block Chop A is an offensive maneuver where one player designated as A1 purposefully blocks a defensive player while another offensive player (A2) engages the same defensive player above the waist, typically targeting the lower or thigh area.
Apart from the regulation, the NFL delineates six particular scenarios where chop blocks may take place, and they are prohibited.
While executing passing and kicking maneuvers:
During running plays:
Prior to the official NFL rule in 2016, there were two situations where chop blocks were used to help prevent injuries to players, but now they are considered illegal.
A Chop Block is a permissible block in the subsequent circumstances on Running Plays.
An offensive player may chop a defensive player, A1 and A2, who are initially positioned next to each other on the line of scrimmage.
When the progression of the game is directed towards the obstruction, offensive players A1 and A2, who are initially positioned further than one spot apart from each other on the line of scrimmage, have the option to cut down a defensive player.
On both sides, the block happens beyond the region initially occupied by the tight end, and A2 chops a defensive player involved above the waist by A1, who is positioned in the backfield at the start.
Penalties and injuries no longer allow teams and players to change the rule they need to know, while these are no longer legally acceptable to be used.
Chop Block vs Cut Block
A chop block is when the offensive player below the waist of the defensive player blocks, but an additional player from the blocking team at the top half of the defender also blocks.
Following a lawful, upper body obstruction, a chop block may transpire or a cut block can result in a chop block. The offensive player who instigates contact is irrelevant when chop blocks transpire.
Players must exercise caution when executing a chop block if a cut block is being performed, as a chop block and a cut block bear resemblances. Engaging in this illegal action could result in a chop block, where an additional offensive player joins in on the cut block.
Why Are Chop Blocks Illegal in Football?
The main reason that poses a big risk of injury to the player is being blocked. Chop blocks are illegal at all levels of football.
Sustaining an injury like this, such as MCL and ACL tears, could potentially hinder individuals from playing football for a significant duration, ranging from several months to the remainder of their lives. Typically, surgical intervention is required to address such injuries. The most common types of injuries resulting from chop blocks are knee and ankle injuries.
Prior to the rule change, there were specific situations where chop blocks were considered legal. However, at the beginning of the 2016 season, all chop blocks became illegal in the NFL.
A study published in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine compared the number of knee injuries in defensive players before and after the rule change, and concluded that penalties for illegal chop blocks were decreasing.
Can You Block Below the Waist in the NFL?
Blocks below the waist, similar to chop blocks, are prohibited by the NFL in nearly all circumstances due to the increased risk of knee injuries that they pose to players.
This is how the NFL describes a Block Below the Waist.
If an opponent uses his hands to ward off the block below the waist, then the blocker who creates contact above the waist while sliding off the contact block below is the one who makes the initial contact with any part of the body of the body blocker’s waist below the waist. The initial contact with any part of the body of the body blocker’s waist below the waist is when the opponent’s body is below the waist, either on both feet or one foot.
The rule regarding exceptions states that only one of the blocks is allowed to be cut. As long as they are legal, the block can be cut in the direction of play. However, only the offense is permitted to use cut blocks, not the defense.
The penalty for blocking below the waist is 15 yards, and the penalty can be called against the offense or the defense.
The NFL forbids blocks beneath the waist according to these regulations.
The League added Section D of the prior rule to the 2021 season, which makes it illegal to block below the waist outside the tight end box area, between two yards outside the normal tackle positions, on both sides of the line of scrimmage.