I've seen this called twice now. The most recent one was in the Army-UM game. To me this rule could be useful to eliminate blocks away from the action, but in this game the block was a great block and it wasn't in the back. It was more to the side.

Not a fan of this new rule.

The block doesn't have to be in the back or towards the back. It can get the player in the side or even in the front. What matters is where the blocked player's head is at and if he can see the blocker coming.

I get it is for safety but it seems like it will cut down downfield blocking as that is when the defender is looking at the ball carrier and not seeing another player coming.

Lots of clean hits in the front/side will be penalties because the defenders head is turned.