Last night I was on the sidelines and our coaches were talking with the ref about our opponent having 5 men in the backfield. He responded by saying the new rule is they can have 5 in the backfield, this can’t be true is it?? He said it was a new rule this year.
Rule question
- Thread starter Reynoldsrocks2
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Found this on the NFHS site
REDEFINED REQUIREMENTS FOR A LEGAL SCRIMMAGE FORMATION (2-14-1, 7-2-5a)
Rationale: A legal scrimmage formation now requires at least five offensive players on their line of scrimmage with no more than four backs. This change will make it easier to identify legal and illegal offensive formations.
So I guess there could be 4 backs and 1 WR off the line? I dunno... Just a guess
See I read that as you have to have at least five on the line but can’t have more then 4 off the line of scrimmage. It’s a confusing read, because if you put 5 on the line like it states then that means 6 could be off the line. Real head scratcher to me.
Well... What's considered a "back"? Is that how many are off the line inside the tackles? If that's the case you could line up with 5 linemen on the line, 4 backs and 2 WRs off the line... Or is a "back" considered anyone off the line, no matter placement? Then it'd be the traditional 7 on 4 off that were used too, couldn't be anything else... I agree the wording is confusing... But given the true definition of what's considered a back, it might help clear it up..
Talking about rules. Our Qb last night hurdled a Avery defender and was penalized for hurdling. Has anyone else ever heard of that? I think that's silly
Yea that's been in place for a while... It's only a rule in high school... 15 yard unsportsmanlike I believe... And I agree it's silly, but it's considered a "safety" rule
I’ve seen this called several times on FG/PATS as kids try to hurdle the OL to block the kick.
Yeah. I think that's different. Maybe they should change the rule to, only on fg tries. If someone dives at your feet and you jump over him that shouldnt be a flag
off the line is a back ,period. the reason they're off the line is to be an eligible receiver.the end man on the line is eligible receiver. maybe you can line up with 5 backs but at snap to be legal there should be 7 on the line. i think you can legally use more than 7 on the line which means less than 4 backs but a minimum of 7 on the line
Rule change this year.
ART. 1 ... A scrimmage formation requires a minimum of five A players legally on their line at the snap.
Not sure which section of film to watch. It is my understanding when a defender “dives” for the lower legs or feet the call is not made. Judgement call what constitutes the penalty in this situation.
I agree there are a lot of rules that are head scratchers that are safety driven but I understand the goal.
New rule starting in 2019 is simple.
Must have at least 5 on the line at all times.
And NEVER more than 4 in the backfield.
Translated: The rule is for the times players forget to go on the field, you only have 6,7, 8, 9, 10 players.
you can play with a minimum of 6 players and be in a legal formation if you have the following;
6 players - 5 on 1 off
7 players - 5 on 2 off
8 players - 5 on 3 off
9 players - 5 on 4 off
10 players - 6 on 4 off
11 players - 7 on 4 off
At least 5 players on the line must be numbers 50-79 during downs 1,2,3.
A scrimmage kick during 4th down they can be any #.
Hope this helps.
Must have at least 5 on the line at all times.
And NEVER more than 4 in the backfield.
Translated: The rule is for the times players forget to go on the field, you only have 6,7, 8, 9, 10 players.
you can play with a minimum of 6 players and be in a legal formation if you have the following;
6 players - 5 on 1 off
7 players - 5 on 2 off
8 players - 5 on 3 off
9 players - 5 on 4 off
10 players - 6 on 4 off
11 players - 7 on 4 off
At least 5 players on the line must be numbers 50-79 during downs 1,2,3.
A scrimmage kick during 4th down they can be any #.
Hope this helps.
Thanks, so the official was incorrect in saying a team could have 5 in the backfield. Our coaches complained on several plays but he would not call it saying it’s a new rule this year.
Seems the Avery guy went low, I don’t see an issue with jumping him in that case.
The QB is just a Junior...I know he works out with former Tuscola and UT QB, Jonathan Crompton every weekend. He can throw it a mile. Still need to work on touch sometimes but he can make every throw pretty effortlessly and can run when needed. As with a young starter decision making needs to get better but I see improvement. Seems like a really good kid. I went to school with his daddy whom I'm sure is his biggest critic but he will provide him with the means and support to improve. He has all the tools and natural size. He should start getting some looks with any progression in his game.
He has probably hurdled 5 players this year and that's the first called penalty. Heck he leaped one guy at Brevard on tv that wasnt called and they were flag happy. The crew at Avery mostly choked on the flags but called that.
No more than 4, even with 5 on line. Wing guys are told to count the backfield and no more than 4.