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Illinois
Boys Football
A-11 Offense
There has been some discussion on the A-11 this year in Illinois. First, by rule, the A-11 offense when run properly is a legal formation by rule. It does not meet the requirement of deception as by rule a team that is in scrimmage kick formation does not have to meet the numbering requirement. This rule does not state that it can only be used on fourth down or that a team must attempt a scrimmage kick.
Therefore, here are a few requirements that must be met to insure that this formation is a legal formation prior to the snap of the ball.
1. If the A-11 formation is legal, then it implies that the center must be given extra protection. The receiver of the snap is at least 7 yards off the line of scrimmage. Otherwise you will have an illegal formation since they did not meet the requirement of a scrimmage kick formation which allows for the numbering exception.
2. The ball will leave the free-blocking-zone immediately. Thus, there will be limited opportunity for legal blocking below the waist, clips, or blocks in the back. The interior blocking on any designed running play from an A-11 formation will need to be watched very carefully. This is no change from officiating a shotgun formation when the QB is at least 7 yards off the line of scrimmage.
3. BJ’s may need to switch to a zone type of coverage with the wings. Good signals from each wing official will be critical in determining which receivers are eligible and which ones are ineligible or covered up.
4. Note “how the offense breaks the huddle (if, indeed, they even had one).
In order to allow some sort of “shifting” a legal way around the wording in 7-5-2b (exception) must be met. In their offensive scheme, when the team breaks the huddle only the snapper and possible 2 linemen next to the snapper might take an initial position on the L.O.S. The remaining players spread out over the field and as mentioned before, they remain in the backfield in some sort of continuous motion – never “setting”. Legally, they can and do continue to move forward and backward while remaining Off the L.O.S., but never committing to being on the L.O.S. Then on Cue from the Quarterback, the appropriate & designated players on that play will eventually commit to being on the L.O.S. by either stepping forward or remaining in the backfield. (This is why signals from the wing officials will be critical). The players who step forward onto the L.O.S. get set for at least one second and the snap is made. Of course the entire A-11 unit must be set for at least one second prior to the snap, unless there is one player who happens to be in motion.
They still must meet the requirement of being set for one second prior to going in motion.
Officials:
Pregame meeting
• Make sure you ask all coaches if they have any unusual plays or formations.
• A-11 can be ran from any down as long as they meet the formation requirements. By rule, they do not have to kick from a scrimmage kick formation.
• Make sure that you have reviewed the A-11 prior to each game just in case a team runs the formation most of the game or for one or two plays during the game.
Note:
• Count players every play
• Recognize eligible receivers by number and position.
• Consider developing a crew signal for the A-11 offense
• Wing officials must make sure they designate on the line or off the line of scrimmage for the offensive player closet to them.
• Free blocking zone is limited immediately once the ball leaves the zone.
• Clearly make sure that the receiver of the ball is at least 7 yards behind the spot. This will be a task of the referee.
• Must identify 5 interior linemen and once they are set on the line of scrimmage they will always be ineligible, even if they shift into an eligible position. Note: 4 backs are clearly in the backfield at least 1 yard off the line of scrimmage.
• Review shifts and motion prior to the start of the game.
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