Illegal Sustitution

[grantsrc]

Not R's call. A little preventative officiating would've solved this. Talk to the player or coach about being inside the numbers.

Why make your job more difficult?

[booker227]

Where was the WR at the ready for play whistle?

[STEVED21]

About 2 feet ouside the numbers. Was on the numbers at one point but R took 3-5 seconds to blow RFP. He kept inching outside.

[Warrenkicker]

I agree. R has enough other things he needs to cover. That is the wing's call. By the way, this is illegal formation and not illegal substitution.

Perhaps you could have approached him and asked what he had. When he said that the end not inside of the numbers after the RFP you could ask him why he is making your call and if he would like it if you started calling roughing the passer and intentional grounding. Of course you need to phrase this all properly but he is stepping on toes here by making himself look like he is the only one out there who knows the rules, which obviously he doesn't if he is calling ISUB. If he wanted this called then he should have covered it in the pregame. Working these play-off games with mixed crews get into problems with officiating philosophies and this is just another example of that.

[Rick KY]

I would have told the R the A player was momentarily inside the 9-yard marks, and he should wave off the flag. If he does, fine. If not, go back to your position and remind the A coach his player needs to be inside the 9-yard marks momentarily at least between the RFP and the snap. Or tell your opposite wing to tell the coach the same.

[booker227]

If the player was clearly outside of the numbers at the time of the RFP whistle, then you have an illegal formation, regardless of how long it took R to blow the whistle.

[waltjp]

If it's a foul it's illegal formation, not illegal substitution. But strict definition this is an illegal formation but if A2 was lined up 8.33 yards from the sideline instead of 9 yards I'd probably let it slide. I don't see any intent to deceive the defense.

Rule 7-2-1

[SouthGARef]

Originally Posted by booker227

If the player was clearly outside of the numbers at the time of the RFP whistle, then you have an illegal formation, regardless of how long it took R to blow the whistle.

Nice to know you've read the rule book. Now you need to learn how to use it.

What is the purpose of this rule? The purpose of this rule is to not allow the offense to line up outside the numbers, hide on the sideline so that they're not picked up by the defense, and run the sleeper play.

In this situation it is pretty clear that the player participated in the previous play, that the defense KNEW this player was a participant, and that while he was only about two steps outside the numbers, no advantage was gained.

So you're telling me in a 3 point PLAYOFF game, with about a minute left, we're going to be strictly by the letter of the law? Give me a break.

The rule book is a great book. It's the bible. I read it every week. I like to think I know it inside out. But that book will do more harm than good if you don't learn how to apply it.