Calling Signals

[Nyjets]

Can the center call out the signals instead of the QB? Do you think this falls under the rule that no player shall shall intentionally cause B to encroach? Your thoughts will be appreciated.

[Jim D]

There is nothing illegal about the offense calling signals. Any player can call them. Don't go looking for trouble on this one.

[FootballRef05]

Good question, I don't think I have even seen this happen. Are you talking about the center call out out coverages or actually calling the play and snap count? I looked in the book and under 7-1-5,6&7 it covers encroachment and the rule states that defensive players an not be in the NZ calling signals after the ball is marked ready. What you are describing is not specifically cover however could fall under any act clearly intended to cause B to encroach.
I think the puropse of the center calling the signals would be to cause encroachment and should be flagged. Hard to say with out seeing it!

[Nyjets]

In the pre-game conference, the coached asked the referee if his center could call the signals in the game. This was a varsity contest. The referee didn't allow this to happen remembering the book states that no player shall intentionally cause B to encroach. Do you think he made the right interpretation?

[AndrewMcCarthy]

What's the difference if the center's not bobbing his head up and down?

[bluezebra]

If the "D" line jumps because the center is calling signals, they need more training.

Bob

[JRutledge]

Offensive Lineman call out blocking signals a lot on many teams during games. Defensive lineman can call out signals. The only difference is the defense cannot call out signals that are to confuse the offensive to jump early. Use common sense on this.

Peace

[HawkeyeCubP]

I don't see anything that says who can and can't call out signals in the book.

Sure, 7-1-7-b, could apply here, if the intent is to cause B to encroach, but then what is a hard 2-count in 3rd and short, when the offense has literally been snapping on 1 all night?

Common sense = no call, unless something very odd is going on.

[ABoselli]

I just saw it this weekend in a college scrimmage. Didn't realize it at first until I heard the QB call out his after the center was done. The center was even saying "Hut! Hut!" at the end of his.

I had forgotten all about it until I saw this thread.