SECTION 5 — BLOCKING ADDENDUM (AGES 5-16)

 

5.1 Purpose - This section defines the blocking system used in Lone Star Legends Flag Football. Blocking is strictly non-contact and designed to create running lanes for ball carriers and slow the pass rush while maintaining safe spacing between players. The goal of both forms of blocking is to slow and redirect a defender’s path without initiating contact.

 

5.2 Blocking Eligibility - In order to act as a blocker, a player must immediately place both hands behind their back at the snap. If a player moves their hands away from this position, they immediately forfeit the right to block for the remainder of the play. A player may not return to a blocking role once they have released from it.

 

5.3 Releasing From a Blocking Role - A player is considered to have released from a blocking role if any of the following occur:

 

• The player moves their hands from behind their back.

• The player leaves their 45° Flow Blocking™ course without transitioning into 180° Shuffle Blocking™.

• The player exits the 180° Shuffle Blocking™ stance.

 

Once a player releases from blocking, they may not return to blocking during that play.

 

5.4 Player Role Restrictions - The Quarterback may not block under any circumstance. The Center may block but is not an eligible receiver or ball carrier. After releasing from a blocking role, the Center may not return to blocking and may only continue moving on the field in a non-blocking role. Other offensive players who release from blocking become eligible receivers and may receive a forward pass or lateral if otherwise eligible under the rules.

 

5.5 Forms of Legal Blocking - Blocking exists in two distinct forms: 45° Flow Blocking™ and 180° Shuffle Blocking™. A player may begin a play using Flow Blocking and may transition into Shuffle Blocking, but once Shuffle Blocking begins they may not return to Flow Blocking during the same play.

 

5.6 45° Flow Blocking™ - Flow Blocking must begin immediately from the blocker’s original position at the snap. The blocker must move in a continuous progressive straight-line path at a 45-degree or shallower angle relative to the Line of Scrimmage, moving toward either sideline. Players may run, jog, or walk and may speed up or slow down, but must remain on the same straight-line course once the path has begun. Stopping is only permitted when transitioning into 180° Shuffle Blocking™. Two or more players may move together along legal flow paths to create a moving blocking wall provided all players maintain non-contact spacing and legal hand position.

 

5.7 180° Shuffle Blocking™ - Shuffle Blocking may begin at or before the Line of Scrimmage. Shuffle Blocking consists of lateral or backward movement, while facing forward and shuffling one's feet, only while maintaining hands behind the back. Blockers may move side-to-side within a 180-degree arc to influence defensive pursuit but may not initiate forward movement into defenders. Once a player transitions into Shuffle Blocking they may not return to Flow Blocking during that play.

 

5.8 Contact Responsibility in Flow Blocking - The league's Equal Responsibility™ contact policy remains in force during flow blocking. Both defender and offensive player must avoid contact. If a defender is in the straight-line path of the offensive blocker, then the offensive player must slow down to let them pass or stop and transition into 180° Shuffle Blocking™ or alternately, if eligible, transition into a receiver role.