12 Man Defense

[Buckeyes]

I have been working with different crews so far this year, I have been told by the majority of officials to flag the defense at the snap for illegal substitute. This is not the rule but is this the way that other officials are calling this? I agree that you save the defense 10 yards, but you penalize the offense by not getting to run the play with the option of accepting the penalty.

[waltjp]

If B has 12 on the field and is unaware of it and the offense has broken their huddle or is at the line I'd flag it. Team B has already committed the substitution infraction. Why let it grow into something worse?

Let's say that A comes to the line and the QB sees a formation that he knows he can't block and decides to call a TO. The reason he called the TO could be because of the extra defensive player. Are you going to flag B at that point?

[grantsrc]

Originally posted by Buckeyes
I have been working with different crews so far this year, I have been told by the majority of officials to flag the defense at the snap for illegal substitute. This is not the rule but is this the way that other officials are calling this? I agree that you save the defense 10 yards, but you penalize the offense by not getting to run the play with the option of accepting the penalty.

Is the 12th man heading off the field? If so, it is a 5 yard LBF enforced from the previous spot. If 12 players participate, then it is Illegal Participation. BUT this should be caught before the snap if possible. Kill it, get them for IS, 5 yards and move on.
Heading off field= 5 yard, LBF
12 on field before snap= 5 yard, DBF, IS
12 on field after snap= 15 yard, LBF, IP*
*If the 12th player comes on the field during the down it is a spot foul.

Be sure to check this link out, http://www.nfhs.org/scriptcontent/va...OOT&NewsImage=

There are numerous errors in both books this year.