When the official changes came out, I skimmed them, but now I'm finding out that there are what I consider major rule changes that weren't highlighted in the book and not at all talked about. One is going to be very problematic: the change from the required 7 men on the line to the now required 4 in the backfield. The new rule reads:
Quote:
All players must be either on their scrimmage line or legally
positioned as a back. At least five players wearing jerseys numbered
50 through 79 must be legally on their scrimmage line, and no more
than four players may be in the backfield.
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So now it appears that there is no longer a requirement of 7 on the line. A team can have 10 or even 9 players and as long as only 4 are in the backfield, they are legal. This is a huge fundamental change from football as I've always known it, and the wording is dangerously short sighted.
I've worked many games where a passing team will, either through mistake or indifference, have 8 or even 9 guys on the line on a running play. Before, there was never anything illegal about that, but now there is. But why? Does it confuse the defense? NO, and in fact, it tips off a smart defense (or coach) to the run since he now knows there are only a couple of eligible receivers rather than 3 or 4.
It is certainly easier to count the players when you only have to account for 4, and now, who really cares if there are 11 on the field or not? But I think it does a disservice to the game and this administrative change is something the committee should have not only highlighted, but listed as a major rules change.