NFHS rules

Team A has only 6 men on the line. Do you blow the whistle at the snap or flag it and wait the results of the play. I had a shotgun formation. 5 men in the backfield. The snap when over the quarterbacks head.

That is an illegal formation which is a live ball foul. Live ball fouls will not cause the play to end. You throw your flag at the snap, let the play run and make the call after the play.

[Edited by Derock2004 on Oct 23rd, 2004 at 06:05 PM]

I agree.. flag it at the snap and let the play occur.

I think all who respond will agree that it is a live ball foul. Same in NF, NCAA, and NFL.

well, I'm glad it was done right at my game

Remember, A did not do anything wrong until the ball was snapped.

Just like a motion foul, A can have 6 guys running around in the backfield, but thay all have to get set before the snap.

Live ball foul.

REPLY: Two things to remember with these types of fouls: (1) Up until the snap, Team A has a few things at their disposal to 'fix' the problem. (shift a 7th guy onto the line, call a timeoout), and (2) only the snap causes the formation to be illegal, and according the Football Fundamentals, no live ball foul can cause the ball to become dead in Federation ball. So you've got to let the play continue and handle the foul when the ball becomes dead.