Normally, a creature with flying can only be blocked by other creatures that also have flying or reach (CR 702.9b). Reach is specifically designed as the counter to flying — it allows a ground-based creature to block creatures with flying even though the reach creature itself does not have flying.
The rule for reach (CR 702.17a) states that a creature with reach can block creatures with flying. This is a static ability that modifies the normal blocking restrictions imposed by flying. Both conditions are checked during the declare blockers step (CR 509.1b), where a player may only assign a creature as a blocker if that assignment is legal given all evasion and blocking abilities.
It is important to note that reach does NOT grant flying — it only removes the restriction that would otherwise prevent a non-flying creature from blocking a flying one. A creature with reach can still be blocked normally by any creature, just like any other ground creature.
Concrete example: Your opponent attacks with a Snapping Drake (2/2 flying). You control a Deadly Recluse (1/2 reach, deathtouch). You may legally declare Deadly Recluse as a blocker for Snapping Drake because reach allows it to block flyers. The Drake does not get through simply by having flying.
So the answer is an unambiguous yes — reach creatures are precisely the tool the rules provide to block flying creatures without needing flying yourself.
Unofficial fan resource — not affiliated with or endorsed by Wizards of the Coast. Answers are AI-generated estimates grounded in the Comprehensive Rules and are not a substitute for an official judge. Verify anything match-critical.