Super Excellent explanation of the 5 subjects you covered.... As a 1st year football official looking for information that will assist me with my progress, your video is by far the best. the content, graphics, explanations of each scenario, and the clarity of your voice made it very easy for me to grasp how to identify an illegal formation, illegal motion, who and how many must be and can be on the line of scrimmage, who isn't an eligible receiver, and a Covered Receiver. Super Job. Even though your vid's are more geared towards coaching, I'm going to see if other vid's you made will be helpful for me.....
What if I run a double wing pistol with a wide out. Can I send the wide out in a jet motion in front of the quarter back. Every play has an adjustment before set. Which would make that wide out off the line and wing back on.
I am curious on specifics of shifting. Let say you have a twins/doubles formation. Can the #1 (X/Z) if on the LOS before shifting, shift quickly, or does he have to step back slowly and then move?
Formation rule has been changed since this was created. Now the rule states you can’t have more than 4 players in the backfield. Other than that good content for newer officials.
@@Joe4372 2019 NFHS rules change: AT THE SNAP you must have five A players numbered 50-79 on their line of scrimmage and no more than four A players may be backs (no numbering requirement for the backs, though any players numbered 50-79 are not eligible to catch a FORWARD pass)... There are exceptions for scrimmage kick formations. In other words, you only need FIVE players on the LOS for a play and no backs (though this would likely be disaster for Team A). Since a player on the LOS may not advance a planned loose ball play in the vicinity of the snapper, it would be difficult for Team A to put the ball in play.
@@mikecustenborder3991 Correct. As long as there are five playes on the LOS numbered between 50 and 79, 72, 73 and 74 could all be in the backfield. Flank officials this year only need to look to the backfield. If there are five, it's a foul. The umpire simply needs to confirm five people on the LOS numbered 50-79. It's more efficient to officiate, but even better, when we're working a game with a confused or poorly coached team, ten players on offense isn't necessarily a foul. Overall it is less interruptive to the game.
So is there no way possible for a player to play lineman and running back and still be eligible to catch a forward pass outside of changing jersey numbers? I was told they could have a lineman number and still be a running back and catch passes? Also, I'm assuming if the pass is backwards then a running back with a lineman number could catch a lateral pass right?
You do not. If the tackle is uncovered you just have to cover another player (in order to have 7 on the line of scrimmage), which means you have one less eligible receiver.
@@Joe4372 quick question so if I have double slot to one side and the TE on the opposite side if I hop the TE over to the same side as the slot then he cant go out for a PASS right??
Nice video . I'm interested in rule 5. As an exception to the rule you said that a man on the LOS can go in motion as long as it is an orbit type motion at least five yards deep. I've never heard or seen this exception before. I've looked high and low for some corroboration and haven't been able to find any. Could you share the source you used so I can get more evidence that this type of motion is legal. Thanks in advance for any information you can provide.
I'm not great at rule book lingo, but I believe it is: Rule 7, Section 2, Article 7 of the NFHS Rulebook. Now, I'm looking at a 2015 book which may have been updated since: Art. 7... Only one A player may be in motion at the snap and then only if such motion is not toward his opponent's goal line. Except for the player "under the snapper," as outlined in Article 3, the player in motion shall be at least 5 yards behind his line of scrimmage at the snap if he started from any position not clearly behind the line and did not establish himself as a back by stopping for at least one full second while no part of his body is breaking the vertical plane through the waistline of his nearest teammate who is on the line of scrimmage.
@@Joe4372 Correct... For example, in the initial formation, a wideout covers a tight end. Prior to the snap, the wideout makes a deliberate, non-football move, stepping back one yard and sets for one second. Then, the wideout goes in motion. Even if he's just a yard back, he's established himself as a back. Depending on the mechanics of your local high school officiating organization, the flank official may signal the wideout "on" the LOS at the initial formation, and then when the wideout sets, signal the wideout "off." Officiating organizations that tend to pick up mechanics from higher level officiating may not signal at all.
So, if only one man can be in motion, is the movement at the 2:40 mark illegal? I'll be broadcasting high school football and would like to know. Thanks.
Update: The new rule changes nothing. It's just wording. You still need 5 ineligible numbers on the line of scrimmage. Assuming you have 11 men on the field, you still need 7 on the line of scrimmage - because only 4 players are allowed off the line of scrimmage ("in the backfield"). The only change is basically this: one of your receivers forgets he's supposed to be in there, now you only have 10 men on the field. 6 are on the LOS and 4 are in the backfield. Last year, penalty. This year, no penalty.
@@Joe4372 Not true. The new rule is that you must have five players numbered 50-79 on the LOS at the snap. You MAY have four backs. So you couple run a play with 6, 7, 8 or 9 players -- five players on the LOS and up to four backs.
Which ones? Rules are always changing but since 2018 (which is when this video was made), they haven't changed any formation rules I'm aware of. I could be missing something, so please let me know. Play clock rules have been the big change.
Should also point out, the rule change you're probably referring to was just a re-wording. It did not really change what is a legal or illegal formation unless you only have 9 or 10 on the field. Must have 5 on the line of scrimmage, no more than 4 backs. Unless you're planning on playing with less than 11 players, the definition of a legal formation did not change. 7 on the line, 4 backs.
@@Joe4372 My point is still valid. For someone coming to this sight to learn the basics they need to understand that these rules are no longer correct.
Super Excellent explanation of the 5 subjects you covered.... As a 1st year football official looking for information that will assist me with my progress, your video is by far the best. the content, graphics, explanations of each scenario, and the clarity of your voice made it very easy for me to grasp how to identify an illegal formation, illegal motion, who and how many must be and can be on the line of scrimmage, who isn't an eligible receiver, and a Covered Receiver. Super Job. Even though your vid's are more geared towards coaching, I'm going to see if other vid's you made will be helpful for me.....
What if I run a double wing pistol with a wide out. Can I send the wide out in a jet motion in front of the quarter back. Every play has an adjustment before set. Which would make that wide out off the line and wing back on.
Sure. It's just a shift for WB to step up, WR steps off. Must be set and then your WR can go in jet motion.
All good points. Trouble is, most HS refs (in CO) do not watch for illegal formation so you have to alert them.
I am curious on specifics of shifting. Let say you have a twins/doubles formation. Can the #1 (X/Z) if on the LOS before shifting, shift quickly, or does he have to step back slowly and then move?
Formation rule has been changed since this was created. Now the rule states you can’t have more than 4 players in the backfield. Other than that good content for newer officials.
Can you have 1 of your 5 Inelg. OL in the back field as long as you still have 7 players on the LOS?
I believe you must have 5 ineligible on the LOS. You can have a 6th ineligible number in the backfield (or as many as you want)
@@Joe4372 2019 NFHS rules change: AT THE SNAP you must have five A players numbered 50-79 on their line of scrimmage and no more than four A players may be backs (no numbering requirement for the backs, though any players numbered 50-79 are not eligible to catch a FORWARD pass)... There are exceptions for scrimmage kick formations. In other words, you only need FIVE players on the LOS for a play and no backs (though this would likely be disaster for Team A). Since a player on the LOS may not advance a planned loose ball play in the vicinity of the snapper, it would be difficult for Team A to put the ball in play.
@@savutidog they could put a 72 in the backfield and have him run the ball.
@@mikecustenborder3991 Correct. As long as there are five playes on the LOS numbered between 50 and 79, 72, 73 and 74 could all be in the backfield. Flank officials this year only need to look to the backfield. If there are five, it's a foul. The umpire simply needs to confirm five people on the LOS numbered 50-79. It's more efficient to officiate, but even better, when we're working a game with a confused or poorly coached team, ten players on offense isn't necessarily a foul. Overall it is less interruptive to the game.
@@savutidog our commissioners are concerned this new rule will cause problems.
So is there no way possible for a player to play lineman and running back and still be eligible to catch a forward pass outside of changing jersey numbers? I was told they could have a lineman number and still be a running back and catch passes? Also, I'm assuming if the pass is backwards then a running back with a lineman number could catch a lateral pass right?
Do the farthest left and right players have to be eligible? Ie do you have to “cover up” your tackles?
You do not. If the tackle is uncovered you just have to cover another player (in order to have 7 on the line of scrimmage), which means you have one less eligible receiver.
@@Joe4372 quick question so if I have double slot to one side and the TE on the opposite side if I hop the TE over to the same side as the slot then he cant go out for a PASS right??
@@559killa6 If he's on the line of scrimmage and the outside receiver is on the line of scrimmage, he can't.
Ineligibles are restricted from catching a forward pass, they can catch backward passes.
What program are you using.
Go Army Edge football app
Nice video . I'm interested in rule 5. As an exception to the rule you said that a man on the LOS can go in motion as long as it is an orbit type motion at least five yards deep. I've never heard or seen this exception before. I've looked high and low for some corroboration and haven't been able to find any. Could you share the source you used so I can get more evidence that this type of motion is legal. Thanks in advance for any information you can provide.
I'm not great at rule book lingo, but I believe it is: Rule 7, Section 2, Article 7 of the NFHS Rulebook. Now, I'm looking at a 2015 book which may have been updated since:
Art. 7... Only one A player may be in motion at the snap and then only if such motion is not toward his opponent's goal line. Except for the player "under the snapper," as outlined in Article 3, the player in motion shall be at least 5 yards behind his line of scrimmage at the snap if he started from any position not clearly behind the line and did not establish himself as a back by stopping for at least one full second while no part of his body is breaking the vertical plane through the waistline of his nearest teammate who is on the line of scrimmage.
Joe Daniel Football
Thanks for the information and specificity. It has been very helpful.
What happens if there are 8 men on the line does that mean all the WR and TE are eniligable to catch a pass
Only the receivers that are covered. With 8 on the LOS you'll only have 4 eligible receivers (plus the QB) because one will be covered.
@@Joe4372 Correct... For example, in the initial formation, a wideout covers a tight end. Prior to the snap, the wideout makes a deliberate, non-football move, stepping back one yard and sets for one second. Then, the wideout goes in motion. Even if he's just a yard back, he's established himself as a back. Depending on the mechanics of your local high school officiating organization, the flank official may signal the wideout "on" the LOS at the initial formation, and then when the wideout sets, signal the wideout "off." Officiating organizations that tend to pick up mechanics from higher level officiating may not signal at all.
So, if only one man can be in motion, is the movement at the 2:40 mark illegal? I'll be broadcasting high school football and would like to know. Thanks.
That's a shift. As long as the players are set for one full second before the snap, they can move all over the place before that.
@@Joe4372 Thank you. I appreciate it.
Need an update.
Update: The new rule changes nothing. It's just wording. You still need 5 ineligible numbers on the line of scrimmage. Assuming you have 11 men on the field, you still need 7 on the line of scrimmage - because only 4 players are allowed off the line of scrimmage ("in the backfield").
The only change is basically this: one of your receivers forgets he's supposed to be in there, now you only have 10 men on the field. 6 are on the LOS and 4 are in the backfield. Last year, penalty. This year, no penalty.
@@Joe4372 There's your update. ;-)
@@Joe4372 Not true. The new rule is that you must have five players numbered 50-79 on the LOS at the snap. You MAY have four backs. So you couple run a play with 6, 7, 8 or 9 players -- five players on the LOS and up to four backs.
@@savutidog OK you run plays with less players on the field. I'm going to use 11. Once again, the rule changes nothing. It's just wording.
Another is that all 11 players must be within the numbers for at least 1 second. You often see this by teams who go vertical a lot
New rule is FIVE on the line with no more than 4 in the backfield. NFHS 7.2.5a
New rule this year with 6 on the line but not 5 in the backfield
Mike Custenborder it’s 5
@@Chris00731 oh yeah they just corrected our states interpretation this week. Good to know.
Heads up. These rules have changed in the past couple of years.
Which ones? Rules are always changing but since 2018 (which is when this video was made), they haven't changed any formation rules I'm aware of. I could be missing something, so please let me know. Play clock rules have been the big change.
Should also point out, the rule change you're probably referring to was just a re-wording. It did not really change what is a legal or illegal formation unless you only have 9 or 10 on the field. Must have 5 on the line of scrimmage, no more than 4 backs. Unless you're planning on playing with less than 11 players, the definition of a legal formation did not change. 7 on the line, 4 backs.
@@Joe4372 My point is still valid. For someone coming to this sight to learn the basics they need to understand that these rules are no longer correct.