Player Rules Flashcards
TWELVE MEN ON THE FIELD—OFFENSE
Second-and-10 on A20. Team A is running a no-huddle offense, and substitute A12 comes onto the field. Team A
has 12 men on the field for 5 seconds as the QB calls plays, but they are not in a huddle, and they are not set at the
line. Two seconds after the team gets set in formation at the line, A11 realizes he was supposed to leave the game,
so he runs off the field and is off 4 seconds later. The ball is then snapped before the play clock runs out, and A1
goes out of bounds at the 50.
Ruling: First-and-10 on the 50. No foul, since A was not in a huddle with 12 men or set in formation with 12 men for
more than three seconds. If this occurs before the two-minute warning, the Umpire should hold up play until the
defense has the opportunity to match up.
TWELVE MEN IN FORMATION—OFFENSE
Third-and-3 on B5. Team A is running a no-huddle offense, and substitute A12 runs onto the field after the previous
play. All 12 offensive players get set in formation, and four seconds later, A11 realizes he was supposed to leave
the game, so he runs off the field.
Ruling: Third-and-8 on B10. There were 12 men set in the offensive formation for more than 3 seconds, so the play
is blown dead and an illegal substitution foul called. If this occurs before the two-minute warning, the Umpire should
hold up play until the defense has the opportunity to match up.
TWELVE MEN ON THE FIELD—DEFENSE
First-and-10 on B40. Team B has 12 men on the field. The ball is snapped and A2 runs to the B31. (a) The twelfth
man was attempting to get off the field before the snap, but he didn’t make it; or (b) All 12 Team B players were in
formation at the snap, with no one attempting to leave the field.
Rulings:
(a) Second-and-1 on B31, or first-and-5 on B35. Let the play go, as the twelfth man was not in formation when the
snap was imminent. Penalty enforced after play, if accepted.
(b) First-and-5 on B35. When the offense is set and legally able to snap the ball, the play is blown dead before the
snap, as there were 12 men on defense in the formation. If the play is not blown dead, the only enforcement
option for the offense is 5 yards from the previous spot, and the down is replayed.
END OF QUARTER—POSITION CHANGE
Third-and-7 on B9. At the start of the second quarter, tackle A3, who had reported eligible on the last play of the first
quarter, returned for the second quarter, and lined up at left tackle without reporting. Runner A2 goes to the B1.
Ruling: A’s ball, first-and-goal on B1. Legal return by A3 to an ineligible position, because the quarter had ended (5-
3-2)
POSITION CHANGE—AFTER SCORE
Fourth-and-8 on B37. Lineman number 76 enters the game and reports as eligible to the Referee. On a fake punt,
number 76 catches a pass for a touchdown. On the subsequent Try, number 76 lines up at tackle. The Try is good.
Ruling: Try is good. 76 may line up in his original position (tackle) for the Try because of the touchdown. (5-3-2)
POSITION CHANGE—AFTER FOUL
Second-and-goal on B7. A5 right guard number 57 reports as an eligible receiver and lines up at tight end. On the
play, he is interfered with in the end zone by B5. The ball is placed at the B1, first and goal. On the next play, without
reporting, number 57 returns to his original position at guard, and Team A scores a touchdown.
Ruling: Touchdown. Legal for A5 to return to his original position because of the foul on the previous play. (5-3-2)
POSITION CHANGE—AFTER SCRIMMAGE KICK
Fourth-and-5 on B45. Lineman A76 enters the game and reports as eligible to the Referee. Punter A1’s punt is
blocked behind the line of scrimmage, where A2 recovers the ball and runs to the B38, where he is tackled. On the
subsequent play, lineman A76 lines up at tackle.
Ruling: A’s ball first-and-10 on B38. Lineman A76 may line up in his original position (tackle) for the first-down play
because the ball was kicked. (5-3-2).
POSITION CHANGE—AFTER REPORTING ELIGIBLE ON PREVIOUS PLAY
Third-and-2 on A30. A3, wearing the number of an ineligible receiver, reports as an eligible player and lines up at
tight end. A3 catches a pass and runs to the A35. On the next down, A3 reports to the Referee and returns to his
original ineligible position at tackle. A1 runs for a touchdown.
Ruling: A’s ball, first-and-15 on A30. A3 must go out for one play. When A3 reports the second time, the Referee
should advise A3 his action is illegal, or that Team A may call a timeout, and A3 could then play at the tackle position.
(5-3-2-i)
POSITION CHANGE—AFTER REPORTING AS INELIGIBLE ON PREVIOUS PUNTS
Fourth-and-10 on A45. Punter A1 receives the snap and throws a pass to A85, who catches the ball and runs out of
bounds at the B40. A85 was lined up at the RT position with the flyer outside of him lined up in the backfield, making
A85 eligible as the end player on the line of scrimmage. A85 had reported as ineligible on Team A’s three previous
punts.
Ruling: A’s ball, fourth-and-15 on A40. Illegal formation. A player who reported ineligible on a previous punt play
must report as eligible to the Referee before lining up as an eligible receiver on subsequent punt plays. After he
reports as eligible, the Referee will verbally signal his eligibility to the defense.
POSITION CHANGE—ELIGIBLE REPORTS AS INELIGIBLE
First-and-10 on B20. Eligible A3 reports to the Referee that he will be ineligible for the ensuing down. (a) A3 lines
up at the normal right tackle position and all of the other Team A players are aligned legally; or (b) A3 lines up as
the right tackle, but is split five yards wide of the right guard, and all other Team A players are aligned legally. A1
throws a pass to A2 who catches the ball and runs out of bounds at the B8.
Rulings:
(a) A’s ball first-and-goal on B8. Legal formation.
(b) A’s ball first-and-15 on B25. Illegal formation as A3 is not aligned in the normal five ineligible player core.
