Substitutions

[WPrice1114]

This play took a considerable amount of time in discussion at recent association meeting.

Situation: Ready for play is given, Team A is in the huddle, 4th and 4. As the 25 second play clock winds down, team A has not sent out a punt team.

At about 15 seconds to go, Team A quickly sends out the punt team (who was gathered on the sideline) in a dead sprint to the line of scrimmage. As Team B (now R) is making wholesale substitutions to get their return team on the field, Team A (now K) snaps and punts the ball.

Here's the big problem......Team R has 15+ players on the field. Some are definitely trying to get off, not trying to participate.

What do you do? The officials on the field judged this to NOT be a deceptive tactic. But, it does smell of it a bit, doesn't it? It's obvious that Team A did it to gain an advantage (either earning a 1st down through a 15 yd illegal participation penalty or 5yd illegal substitution penalty).

We came to the consensus (in the officials meeting) that the play should be killed when the snap is eminent, thereby penalizing Team B/R for illegal substitution; rather than allowing the play to occur and having to penalize 15 for illegal participation.

I'd love to hear thoughts on this!