Expert: Vic Winnek - 12/3/2006

Question
I am a 39 year old mom of twins in East TN-also w/prior aspirations of a law degree (had a full Sponsorship to William & Mary)and a desire to be an Athlete's attorney/agent and also a huge TN fan.  I supplemented my income at the Univ. of TN by taking bets from my Frat guy friends and I prefer NCAA football to NFL any day of the week.  Not that this matters, but I am not "butch" but am considered to be a pretty hot blond gal.  Because of that, it is often that I am not taken seriously at first in conversations dealing w/football.  Not fair that I have to continually prove myself.  That is what leads me to what I want to pick your brain over-I previously asked a ? about OT, but also want to know 1. The specific differences in a Clip and a Block in the Back.  Is it the same or does it have to do w/ Offense vs. Defense or is one below the belt?  2.  Holding-give me the "verbiage" on what is and isn't allowed-I know it is rare to get a Def. holding call-why is that?  3.  Difference in a Fair Catch(waiving off) and Downing it (on one knee). 4.  They made changes a few years back in stopping the clock (like in the 4th quarter) but they made new changes this year about when the play and time clock is started.  What are those specific rules?  5.  On the lighter side, why don't they make jock straps in brown so they don't stand out under the white pans? HAHA  Thanks so much for taking the time to give me more "Ammo" to lend me some respectability and I will leave my number as I would love to speak with someone like you with your impressive background--how great of a job do you have?  Gina 865-705-9747

Answer
Gina,
Thank you for your questions.  A true fan of the game.

1.  The simple difference between clipping and a block in the back is where the block occurs. For the foul to be clipping the contact must be at the knee or below from the backside.  A block below the waist in the back but above the knee is also a foul -illegal blocking below the waist.  A block in the back above the waist is also a foul.  Clipping used to be considered any block in the back but it has be refined to a low block at the knee or below.

2.  Holding is the grasping of an opponent that restricts his movement.    Defensive holding is commonly called against defensive players who hold offensive receivers and prevent them from getting into their pass patterns. This foul is a 10 yard penalty and an automatic 1st down.

3. I am not sure what you are asking with respect to fair catches.
4.  The clock changers under Rule 3 of the NCAA Rules this year require the clock to start when the ball is kicked on a free kick (i.e. kick off).  The clock will also start on a 1st down following a change of possession when the ball is marked ready for play.

5.  Unfortunately I can't answer your questions about jock staps - I have no idea why and frankly I have never pondered the question.   But do you think athletes really care about fashion coordination? LOL