Can anyone at anytime cut block someone?

Question

i especially want to know if the offensive kick return people that are supposed to block can do that.

Answer 1

No.

I believe you have to block straight up on Kicks, and you can't cut iblock if the player's is engaged with another blocker.  However, I wouldn't recomend doing this.  I played highschool ball, and the running backs where coached on how to cut block.

All i can say is the D-Linemen where not happy and the back only got away with it once.  The next time the D-Line ran a stunt and when the cut block was tried the D-Linemen did not lose his feet instead he took on the block and allowed the other DE to sack the QB from the blind side.

Answer 2

"Cut" blocking is illegal.  "Zone" blocking is the legal fig leaf for it.  If the defender can see the blocker's head and is not being blocked by another player, then seriously injuring his legs is supposedly OK.

You sound like you have little experience.  Your coach will explain everything you need to know.

edit: Actually I was thinking of chop blocking

Answer 3

Linemen can cut on the line of scrimmage. They can't cut a player who is engaged by another player though - that is called  a chop block.

No one can cut on kick-off return.

As far as the backs cutting - it depends on the level. In high school backs cannot cut. In college and pros they can.

In high school only the linemen can cut and only people lined up on the line at the snap. They aren't even supposed to cut blitzing LB's.

Answer 4

No, you can't cut block at anytime.  Yes, cutblocks in the open such as Kick returns is ok.  The real thing to be careful of in the open field, such as kick returns, is not to clip, or block someone in the back.  

A cut block is when an offensive player dives at the ankles/legs of a defensive player, to get them to the ground.

It is only legal to use, when the defensive player has the opportunity to avoid, hurdle the block.    

Two times you NEVER cut block no matter the occurance:

1) At the line of scrimmage.  

2) If a player is already engaged

And, yes half backs is a position where they have more ample chances to legally cut block, they are in the backfield, and can see a free blitzer bust pass the line of scrimmage.  

IN general, cut blocking has increasingly become less used, because of huge penalities in yards on the field, fines off the field, and the devasting injuries it can cause.