text: what happened to the clipping penalty in football. i noticed it isnt called anymore? while watching a classic football game the other night, i realized that the old clipping penalty in football is no longer called that way. is the penalty for illegal block in back now all inclusive of this old penalty? it's now " blocking below the waist " taught and perfected by broncos coach mike shanahan. it's getting more and more scarce...because the league and players recognize it as a dirty play that could ( and has ) end/ended careers.