A cut block in football is an offensive line technique where an offensive player blocks a defensive player by targeting the defender's legs, typically at or below the thigh level, with the intent to knock them down. This is done by diving or lowering the body to hit the defender's lower body, often the thighs, to bring them to the ground and disrupt their pursuit of the play. The cut block is used to quickly neutralize defenders, allowing the offense to create running lanes or protect the quarterback for quick passes

. Cut blocks are legal in the NFL under certain conditions, but they are illegal if performed on a defender who is already engaged by another offensive player, which is known as a chop block and is penalized due to the high risk of injury

. In college football (NCAA), cut blocks are allowed only away from the original position of the ball and immediately after the snap, with restrictions to prevent dangerous plays

. In summary, a cut block is a strategic low block aimed at the defender's legs to bring them down, helping the offense gain an advantage, but it must be executed within specific rules to avoid penalties and reduce injury risk