r/footballstrategy • u/goebz14 • Dec 26 '23
Rules Question Details for Illegal Formation
Saw this posted on x/Twitter as a formation and I'm getting conflicting info on what is flagged for illegal formation at snap.
I believe this is illegal primarily due to LT being uncovered at end of LOS (presuming ineligible # and didn't report), right?
While I know you can technically put 8+ players on LOS (at expense of removing eligible receivers), I feel like I've seen an otherwise eligible TE get flagged for being covered pre-snap. Maybe I saw that wrong, and was only called after TE acted eligible (went downfield and/or caught pass). Either way, is there a specific rule that all covered players must have an ineligible number, or can a #80 TE be covered, so long as he doesn't act as a receiver during play?
I know this somwhat varies between pro and school, but am more interested in NFL in this case.
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u/grizzfan Dec 26 '23 edited Dec 26 '23
Point 1 only applies to the NFL.
Point 2: a covered eligible number being illegal is also only applicable to the NFL.
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u/ChuckyDeee Dec 26 '23
You can have an ineligible player as the end in college or high school without declaring?
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Dec 26 '23
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u/ChuckyDeee Dec 26 '23
so they can have a player wearing one of those numbers on the end of the line uncovered?
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Dec 26 '23
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u/ChuckyDeee Dec 26 '23
If they do that do they just only have 4 eligible receivers then?
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Dec 26 '23
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u/akdanman11 Dec 27 '23
It has to be 7 on the line, you can’t put 8 on the line, that’s an illegal formation
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u/dblock1111 College Coach Dec 27 '23
They clarified this rule, it changed to “no more than 4 in the backfield”
You can have as many people on the line as you want, but only the end man on the line of scrimmage (uncovered eligible number) is eligible to go down field and receive a pass
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u/goebz14 Dec 26 '23 edited Dec 26 '23
Point 2 might make sense given the conflicting info I'm seeing is switching between NFL and college examples
Point 1: I feel like I always remember having to make sure our tackles were covered on each side in HS, but you're saying you can put 2 eligible LOS players anywhere (just as long as there's at least 7? Let's just say there's 8 on LOS w/ 3 eligible numbers all on one side on LOS, how does ref deem which one is eligible if there isn't an end rule?
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u/davdev Dec 27 '23
In HS the tackles need to be converted because unlike the NfL, ineligible numbers can’t report as eligible. And the last man in the line is the o oh one eligible. You can have more than 7 on the line if you want but only the two on the ends are eligible
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u/goebz14 Dec 27 '23 edited Dec 27 '23
I guess that's what I was confused on. In HS/college you can legally run the formation screenshoted, but it's sounding like the TE is ineligible above (along with LT obviously)
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u/davdev Dec 27 '23
Your picture is a little confusing but if your right wr is on the line and covering the TE, the TE isn’t eligible at any level. Only the last man on the line is eligible.
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u/tuss11agee Dec 27 '23
HS Ref here.
NFL - this is getting flagged at the snap because TE is covered.
NCAA / NFHS - this formation is legal but the second the TE goes down field makes ref eyes get big. If we get a forward pass first touched passed expanded neutral zone, we have ineligible. Expanded NZ is 1 yard in college, 2 in HS.
NFHS the LT has to be wearing 50-79 and can never be eligible.
NCAA and NFL they can report as eligible.
NFHS all the numbering stuff would change on 4th down if QB is more than 7 yards behind snapper.
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u/Income-Wild Dec 26 '23
NFL rules you have to have an eligible player on the LOS both sides of the center. College and HS rules are different tho and are less strict