ENRUES
All penalties

Chop block

Penalty: Offense, Special teams

What it is

Two offensive players block the same defender at the same time, one high and one low, or one blocker hits a defender at the legs while another is engaged with him. It is a dangerous block that can injure the knees.

The penalty

The penalty is 15 yards. The penalty is enforced from the spot of the foul, or from the previous spot if the foul happened behind the line.

More detail

Officials throw a yellow flag when they see it. The other team may accept the penalty or decline it if the play turned out better for them.

Animated play

101020203030404050504040303020201010END ZONEEND ZONEXXXXXOne blocks high, one cuts at the legsChop block15 yards backTwo blockers go after the same defender.One hits him high while the other hits him low.

Blue circles are the team with the ball. X marks the other team. The yellow oval is the ball.

  1. Two offensive players block the same defender.
  2. One engages him at the upper body while the other dives at his legs. It is a dangerous block that can hurt his knees.
  3. The officials flag a chop block: fifteen yards.