chop blocking

Question
Do defensive linemen (nose guards in particular ) ever chop block? The reason I ask is my son was told do do this during one of their pop warner games by the defensive coach and I do not understand why?I would also like to know if chop or cut blocking is legal anywhere but on the line. Thanks for your help.

Answer
Frank,
Thank you for your question.  WOW - I am very glad you are astute and following what is being taught to your son.  You have reason to be concerned.  Blocking below the knees is both dangerous and illegal. Chop blocks are always illegal!

Blocking below the waist at the Youth and High school level is legal but only in the free blocking zone.  The free-blocking zone is a zone set up around the ball at the snap.  It is centered on the ball,  3 yards behind and beyond the line of scrimmage and 4 yards wide. Within that zone, linemen may only block opposing linemen.

First Chop blocks are illegal at any level!  It is a dangerous block.  It is dangerous because the opposing player will brace himself one way and the blockers are pushing the player in two directions and can injure the opposing player's lower extremities. A chop block requires two players in a high low combination block against an opponent and it is not a very common technique employed by defensive players.  

It is more likely that the coach is having your son "cut block" an offensive lineman.  Cut blocking is slang for a low block at the knees or below.  This too is illegal under the National Federation High School rules that govern Pop Warner and Youth football, except in the free blocking zone.

The reason a defensive lineman would cut an offensive lineman is to prevent the offensive lineman from blocking his assignment.  This is a technique that is out dated, not safe and was designed for a more sophisticated level of football.  Defensive line coaches would teach defensive linemen to cut offensive line me to disrupt the offensive blocking scheme and to fill lanes/holes so running backs would not gain yardage.

Just so you understand, Blocking is obstructing an opponent by contacting him with any part of the blocker抯 body.  Both offensive and defensive players can block.  For simplicity the NCAA definition of A chop block is a high-low or low-high combination block by
any two players against an opponent (not the runner) anywhere on the field, with or without a delay between contacts; the 搇ow?component is at the opponent抯 thigh or below.

The confusion exists regarding when a block below the waist may legally occur. Simply - offensive and defensive players on the line of scrimmage who are in the free blocking zone at the snap may block only another player on the line below the waist. Once the ball exits the free blocking zone no below the waist blocks are legal.
It is illegal for any backfield player to block low.
It is illegal for any player outside the free blocking zone to block low.  It is illegal for a linebacker, corner back or safety to block low in order to 搕ake out?the lead offensive blockers.

Player safety is paramount and cut-blocking should not bellowed in any form for Pop Warner level players.  Many leagues will have league rules prohibiting any block below the waist.

Victor Winnek
NCAA Football Official

Frank
Just a follow up to see how the season went and if the chop blockig issue was resolved.
Best of luck