Rule 9 – Section 1 – Article 5 – Clipping

There shall be no clipping (Rule 2-5).

Exceptions:

3. When a player attempts to reach a ball carrier or simulated ball carrier or attempts to legally recover or catch a fumble, a backward pass, a kick or a touched forward pass, he may push an opponent below the waist at or to the buttocks (Rule 9-3-6 Exception 3).
4. When an eligible player behind the neutral zone pushes an opponent below the waist at or to the buttocks to get to a forward pass (Rule 9-3-6 Exception 5).

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Rule 9 – Section 3 – Article 6 – Blocking in the Back

A block in the back (other than against the ball carrier) is illegal. (A.R. 9-3-3:I, VII and IX) (A.R. 10-2-2:XII)

Exceptions:

3. When a player attempts to reach a ball carrier or simulated ball carrier or legally attempts to recover or catch a fumble, a backward pass, a kick or a touched forward pass, he may push an opponent in the back above the waist (Rule 9-1-5 Exception 3).

5. When an eligible player behind the neutral zone pushes an opponent in the back above the waist to get to a forward pass (Rule 9-1-5 Exception 4).