Substitution Rules Flashcards
MUST PARTICIPATE AT REPORTED POSITION
On a Try for point from the B15, Team A lines up in a “swinging gate” formation with the center #67, who had reported
as eligible, on the end of the line. Before the snap, Team A shifts to a normal formation with center #67 in the middle
of the line, and successfully kicks the Try.
Ruling: Re-Try kick on B20 or 2-point Try on B7. When #67 reports as eligible, he must participate in an eligible
position. The shift puts him in an ineligible position, which creates an illegal formation.
PLAYER LEAVES FIELD ON OPPONENT’S SIDELINE OR END LINE
Third-and-12 on A40. A1 scrambles and gains five yards. At the end of the down, it is discovered that: (a) withdrawn
offensive player A2 had cleared the field on the opponents’ sideline or over the end line; or (b) withdrawn defensive
player B1 had cleared the field on the opponents’ sideline or over the end line.
Rulings:
(a) Option: Third-and-17 on A35, or fourth-and-7 on A45. Live-ball foul enforced at the previous spot. (5-2-6)
(b) Third-and-7 on A45. Live-ball foul enforced at the previous spot. (5-2-6)
Note: The penalty for leaving the field on the opponent’s sideline is a live ball foul that occurs at the snap and thus
penalized from the previous spot. Therefore, a team could call a timeout before the snap to save themselves from
the penalty. (5-2-8-(e))
SUBSTITUTION AFTER SNAP—INTERFERENCE WITH PLAY
Third-and-14 on A35. Team B makes a situational substitution sending four players into the game, however five
players leave the field. Following the snap, B11 realizes he should be in the game and re-enters the field of play.
Shortly after B11 enters the game, A1 passes into B11’s area, and B11 breaks up the pass at the 50-yard line.
Ruling: First-and-10 on 50, or whatever result the crew determines to be appropriate. Palpably unfair act.
Note: Since B11 entered the field and had an immediate effect on the play, it is a palpably unfair act. If B11 had
covered a different receiver and had not had a direct and immediate effect on the play, a five-yard penalty for illegal
substitution would be enforced from the previous spot.
SUBSTITUTE ENTERS FIELD BEFORE SNAP—OFFENSE
Third-and-3 on A40. The offense has 10 players on the field. Prior to the snap, A11 (who had not participated in the
previous play) enters the field to participate in the play and: (a) enters past the numbers and sets in a legal position
for one second before the snap; (b) stays in motion backward as the ball is snapped, and he is behind the tight end
at the snap. A2 runs to the A45.
Rulings:
(a) A’s ball, first-and-10 on A45. Legal play if Team A has seven players on the line of scrimmage.
(b) Third-and-8 on A35. Illegal shift. This would convert to a false start after the two-minute warning of a half and
create the potential for a 10-second runoff. (7-4-6). In either (a) or (b), if this occurs before the two-minute
warning, the Umpire should hold up play until the defense has the opportunity to match up.
SUBSTITUTION BY TEAM A—QUICK SNAP—DEFENSE 12 PLAYERS ON FIELD
First-and-10 on B45. A1 substitutes and quickly snaps the ball without huddling. Team B is caught with 12 men on
the field, and illegal motion is called on A3. There are more than two minutes left in the half.
Ruling: A’s ball, first-and-10 on B45. Play is voided by rule. No foul for 12 men on the field or illegal motion. Warn
the offense that a second violation of this rule at any point during the game will result in an unsportsmanlike conduct
penalty. The game clock is reset to the time remaining when the snap occurred and will start on the next snap.
Note: The officials should prevent this from happening, by standing over the ball while Team B “matches up.” If they
do not stand over the ball and it is snapped, only personal fouls or unsportsmanlike conduct fouls would be enforced.
SUBSTITUTION—12 MEN IN OFFENSIVE HUDDLE
Second-and-10 on B35. While Team A is in the huddle, A12 enters the huddle. The player for whom A12 was
substituting is confused and does not realize that he is to leave the field, and he remains in the huddle
Ruling: Second-and-15 on B40. Illegal substitution, 12 men in the huddle. The Referee blows the whistle
immediately.
SUBSTITUTION—12 MEN IN OFFENSIVE HUDDLE ON KICKOFF
After a score, Team A lines up for a kickoff and huddles before the kickoff. There are 12 men in Team A’s huddle.
The twelfth man runs off the field: (a) before; or (b) after the Back Judge starts the play clock. The ball is kicked from
the A35, and B2 fields the ball and is tackled at the B5.
Rulings:
(a) B’s ball, first-and-10 on B5. There is no foul for 12 men in the huddle, since the play clock has not started.
(b) Kickoff A30. Illegal substitution. The officials should kill the play before the kick.
