I have a question regarding the numbering exception during scrimmage-kick formations.
7-2-5b-EXCEPTION-2 reads:
"...A player in the game under this exception must assume an initial position on his line of scrimmage between the ends and he remains an ineligible forward-pass receiver during that down unless the pass is touched by B."
The
Redding Study Guide says,
"If a subsequent shift leaves the excepted player in the position of an eligible reciever, he remains ineligible."
With that in mind, here's my example play situation:
On fourth down, A sets up in a scrimmage-kick formation with 8 players on the line as follows:
Code:
80 50 51 52 53 81 82 83
Based on the example situation above, could someone please help me with these questions:
- If 83 legally shifts into the backfield, does 82 become eligible?
- If A81 legally shifts into the backfield, is he eligible or ineligible?
- If A82 legally shifts into the backfield, is he eligible or ineligible?
To ask the question differently: Which players (A81, A82, or both) are considered to have taken "
the position of any A player numbered 50 to 79" and are therefore ineligible regardless of any subsequent shift which may leave them in an eligible position?
There are 8 players on the line -- 2 ends and 4 interior linemen wearing numbers 50-79: how do you determine which of the remaining 2 interior linemen are taking the place of a player numbered 50-79 under the numbering exception?
Thanks in advance, and apologies for being so wordy.
