When is clipping allowed in the Free Blocking Zone?

Clipping is a type of block that involves hitting a player from behind and below the waist, and it is generally prohibited due to safety concerns. However, within the context of the Free Blocking Zone, certain allowances are made to promote offensive and defensive action during the play.

When both offensive and defensive linemen are engaged in play within the Free Blocking Zone at the snap, clipping is permitted as part of the legal blocking techniques. The Free Blocking Zone is the rectangular area that extends 3 yards on either side of the line of scrimmage and is designed to allow players to engage in blocks with fewer restrictions, facilitating more dynamic play in that specific area.

In contrast, other scenarios fall outside of this allowance. For example, if contact is made outside the established zone, blocking rules that prohibit clipping would apply. Similarly, if a player is not on the line of scrimmage, or if the kicker initiates the play, those situations do not meet the criteria for clipping to be allowed within the Free Blocking Zone, as they involve players and actions that are not aligned with the specific rules governing that zone. Thus, the specific rule pertaining to clipping within the Free Blocking Zone emphasizes that such contact is permitted only when both offensive and defensive linemen are