NFHS rules for linemen catching passes

[baldguy642000]

Gentlemen

What are the relavent rules for a non eligible player as far as becoming a ball carrier and specifically catching a pass behind the LOS? More to the point, would a guard screen be legal?

[ABoselli]

Anybody can catch a backward pass. Players numbered 50-79 are ineligible to catch a forward pass that has not been touched by B.

As far as forward handling the ball like in a handoff situation, the lineman must first clearly face his own goal line and be at least one yard behind the LOS when he receives the ball.

[baldguy642000]

Thanks. So, a guard screen is legal as long as the pass is a lateral or backwards. Still, gives me some good ideas.

[ABoselli]

Yep - one caveat, though. You're gonna want to make sure it's backward. One of the the tenets that most officials go by is "if it's real close between forward or backward, it's forward". If the guard drops it (a distinct possibility) - it's a dead ball but a foul, if he catches it and it looks forward - live, but a foul.

If he drops it and it was backward, it's a live ball.

At the pre-game conderence with the officials, you would want to bring this play up to let them know you plan on running it so they're ready.

[Edited by ABoselli on Aug 12th, 2004 at 09:15 AM]

[Theisey]

(deleted... no sense adding redundant info). Guess I have to find out why the browser is not checking for new updates anymore.

[Edited by Theisey on Aug 12th, 2004 at 09:25 AM]

[baldguy642000]

Ok, next question. How hard would the following be to officiate? The super spread formation. 7 linemen spread out exactly even across the field. Four backs spread evenly. Any special problems here? What would you do if you saw such a formation?

[baldguy642000]

Thanks for the input. (by the way you all have the toughest job imaginable, I applaud you)

[cmathews]

Originally posted by baldguy642000
Ok, next question. How hard would the following be to officiate? The super spread formation. 7 linemen spread out exactly even across the field. Four backs spread evenly. Any special problems here? What would you do if you saw such a formation?

The only "special" problem I see is that a lot of your linemen are outside of the free blocking zone and therefore not allowed to block in the back or below the waist..otherwise I don't see a problem from a NF standpoint...

[baldguy642000]

But it would be such fun.

[ABoselli]

If the 7 lineman are all the 50-79 variety, the players on the end of the line aren't eligible. Getting everybody on the LOS when they're all spread across the field may require a little practice (maybe you should only run this play when the ball is on a yardline to make it easier for the wide guys).

But CM is right - you've lost the right to block in the back, clip or block below the waist for everybody ouside the FBZ - and that's most of the lineman.

[baldguy642000]

Probably never do it. My HC hates gadgets anyway but it would sure make things interesting.

[JugglingReferee]

Gentlemen

What are the relavent rules for a non eligible player as far as becoming a ball carrier and specifically catching a pass behind the LOS? More to the point, would a guard screen be legal?


Non-eligible players (numbered 40-69 in Canada) can legally become a ball carrier if they are more than a yard behind the LS when receiving a hand-off pass from a passer. We have no requirement to face your own goal line: you can orient your body in any way you feel. If they're numbered ineligible but report to ther Referee, they become eligible and may participate just as a player numbered 1-39 or 70-99. If a pass is tipped by B, they can also legally advance the ball.

A guard screen is not legal in Canada.