This raises a judgement issue.
In our association we decided this course of action:
When in doubt about whether the offensive substitution was legal:
1. Did the defense recognize that the substitution was made?
And...
2. Did the defense have an adequate amount of time to align their formation in order to cover the new player?
When you think about it, if the field is roughly 53 & 1/3 yards wide (sorry, don't have my rule book with me) and the offense is huddled-up on their near hashmarks (which would be 1/3 of the distance from their respective sideline, or approximately 18 yards). Therefore, the incoming player would have to come onto the field at least 3 yards or more to be within 15 yards of the huddle.
I think the main thing the rule is trying to prevent is the offensive team sending in a last minute replacement just prior to the snap.
All officials just need to be vigilant during each dead-ball period. Good judgement is going to be the key.
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Mike Simonds
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