Chop Block | NFL Football Operations (2024)

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 5

NFL Video Rulebook

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 5

Rule Summary View Official Rule

ARTICLE 5. CHOP BLOCK

A Chop Block is a block by the offense in which one offensive player (designated as A1 for purposes of this rule) blocks a defensive player in the area of the thigh or lower while another offensive player (A2) engages that same defensive player above the waist.

All Chop Blocks are illegal, including in the following situations:

Forward pass plays and kicking plays:

A1 chops a defensive player while the defensive player is physically engaged above the waist by the blocking attempt of A2.
A2 physically engages a defensive player above the waist with a blocking attempt, and A1 chops the defensive player after the contact by A2 has been broken and while A2 is still confronting the defensive player.
A1 chops a defensive player while A2 confronts the defensive player in a pass-blocking posture but is not physically engaged with the defensive player (a “lure”).
A1 blocks a defensive player in the area of the thigh or lower, and A2, simultaneously or immediately after the block by A1, engages the defensive player high (“reverse chop”).

Running Plays:

A1 is lined up in the backfield at the snap and subsequently chops a defensive player engaged above the waist by A2.
A1, an offensive lineman, chops a defensive player after the defensive player has been engaged by A2 (high or low).

Note: It is not a foul if the blocker’s opponent initiates the contact above the waist, or if the blocker is trying to slip or escape from his opponent and any engagement with him is incidental.

Penalty: For an Illegal Chop Block: Loss of 15 yards.

Additional Rules

Play Clock

Rule 4 Section 6

Scoring Plays

Rule 11 Sections 1-5

Safety

Rule 11 Section 5

Forward Pass

Rule 8 Section 1

Backward Pass

Rule 8 Section 7

Ineligible Receiver

Rule 8 Section 1 Article 6

Fumbling in the End Zone

Rule 8 Section 7 Article 3

Down by Contact

Rule 7 Section 2 Article 1

Use of the Helmet

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 10

Roughing the Passer

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 11

Completing a Catch

Rule 8 Section 1 Articles 3-4

Non-Football Act Fouls

Rule 12 Section 3

Facemask

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 15

Fair Catch

Rule 10 Section 2

Clipping

Rule 3 Section 6

Illegal Formation

Rule 7 Section 5 Article 1

Illegal Motion

Rule 7 Section 4 Article 8

Illegal Shift

Rule 7 Section 4 Article 7

Defensive Pass Interference

Rule 8 Section 5

Offensive Pass Interference

Rule 8 Section 5

Offensive Holding

Rule 12 Section 1 Article 3

Illegal Contact

Rule 8 Section 4 Articles 1-4

Defensive Holding

Rule 12 Section 1 Article 6

Horse Collar

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 16

Low Block

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 4

Illegal Use of Hands / Facemask

Rule 12 Section 1 Article 3

Pre-Snap Fouls

Rule 3 Section 4 Article 2

Neutral Zone Infraction

Rule 7 Section 4 Article 4

Illegal Block Above the Waist

Rule 12 Section 1 Article 3

Defenseless Player

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 9

Illegal Peel Back Block

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 2

Roughing or Running Into the Kicker

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 12

Intentional Grounding

Rule 8 Section 2

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