Field Goal Alignment

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by frezer11

Basketball official, football coach. Pretty good with rules, but looking for some clarification-

On a normal field goal alignment, can the linemen interlock ankles pre-snap?

I want to say the guards can with the center but not other positions

What's the ruling here?

I am not looking at this moment, but only the center and the lineman next to him can be crossing legs to my understanding.

Originally Posted by frezer11

On a related note, I think there is an NFL rule along the lines of no more than 6 players may align on either side of the ball on defense while lining up to an offense's field goal formation. Does any such rule exist in HS? Thanks for the help!

No such rule at any other level other than the NFL.

Peace

[scrounge]

Indeed, pre-snap - only the snapper and the two linemen immediately to each side may interlock their legs. After the snap, the rest are free to step down and interlock as well.

[frezer11]

Excellent. That's what I had thought, but couldn't quite find it. Thanks guys!

[SWFLguy]

It's been a few years now since I worked a Federation high school game. I had that call once in an intersectional game at the Syracuse Carrier Dome. A well coached STAC League team lined up for the extra point, all linemen locked legs. At U, I tossed the flag. When the R told the coach about the penalty, he said he never heard of it. Surprised me, as the coach was a long time big name there. Goes to show,, you never know. Made me wonder if they had been getting away with it for years.

[Hatiankin]

I rencently wondered on this questions, too.

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I am not looking at this moment, but only the center and the lineman next to him can be crossing legs to my understanding.

True in Fed. NCAA had the same restriction until 2011, but now allow anyone on the line to lock legs with anyone else. NFL still outlaws all lateral overlap of OL in the formation.