Ineligible downfield / OPI

[Bob Proctor]

First, which official is keying on which receiver should be covered in the pre-game. In our association the inside eligible number is keyed on by the Back Judge in five man mechanics and by the flank official in four man mechanics. The Referee should never flag this foul because he isn't the official who determines which players are covered and which are eligible. In four man, if the ineligible crosses to the opposite side of the field, the flank official on the ineligible's original side needs to confer with the opposite flank official to determine whether the ineligible was guilty of OPI or Ineligible Downfield. In five amn mechanics, the process is similar but with the flank official and the back judge. A late flag (after consultation) is better than no flag.