Need Confirmation

[bdwhite]

At a recent middle school football game, our lead offical made two calls that I believe where made in error. Being relatively new to the crew, I was quickly told not to question authority.

1) First & ten. Offensive team gains three yards; however, defense is flagged for a five yard face mask penalty. Lead offical grants offensive team the result of the play (three yards), five more yards for the penalty and has the offensive team replay the down. Results: First & two. I am certain this is not the correct.

2) Unbalanced line. At this level of play unbalanced lines are not allowed. Offense lines up with a center, a guard on each side, a tackle on each side and two ends on the right side. Flanker set to the left. Flanker does not go in motion leaving three players left of center and four players right of center. I believe this to be an unbalanced line, and therefore, an illegal play in this league. Lead official stated that because the flanker failed to go in motion, it is a legal play. Again, I am certain that this is incorrect.

Any info regarding both situation would be most appreciated.

[boboman316]

It is a correct ruling in the 1st case. It's 5 yards from the end of the run and a replay of down.

In the 2nd case, was the last guy on or off the LOS? This will help.

[bdwhite]

The flanker was line up in the backfield & off the line of scrimmage.

[BktBallRef]

#1, the referee is correct. You need to get in your rule book. This is very basic. A live ball foul by the defense results in the down being replayed unless it results in a 1st down.

#2, that's a local rule. We have no idea whether the call was correct or not. But an unbalanced line usually is addressing the down linemen, not the flankers. But again, that's your league rule, not an NFHS rule.

[MJT]

bdwhite, he was correct in the first play and in the second play that would not fit the definition of unbalanced in most officials eyes. Unbalanced would look something like this (4 guys to one side of the center all who are next to one another.)
F------G--C--G--T--T--TE
----------QB---------------------F
--------RB---RB

[andy1033]

A, wh was correct.

B. This is an unbalanced line.

The two tight ends on one side can not be tight ends as you can only have one player be on the end of the line.

[HLin NC]

Play 1 was assessed correctly,

Play 2 - based on your description I have this formation...which actually leaves you with two on the left side of the center.

TGCGTE E
F

A flanker is normally lined up as a back. It is not uncommon to have two "ends" on one side but the inside "end" (receiver) is covered up and should key you that this is going to be a running play. It is definitely unbalanced.

[Forksref]

#1 He got it dead right. You must remember that the basic spot of enforcement for a running play is the end of the run.

#2 This is a local rule. If you want to have some fun, ask the coaches what the penalty is for the illegal play. Around here, the junior high teams have some local rules such as not being able to rush the punter and not being able to go downfield on a punt until the ball crosses the neutral zone. One team did this and the coach went nuts. We said, "Coach, how many yds. penalty for that?" He had no answer because there is no answer. These rules around here are more accurately regarded as "Gentlmen's Agreements." The coaches must teach their players to abide by them. We will remind the coaches and players if the rule is violated, but, trust me, there will be no flags. If a coach continues the practice, then the other coach can bring it to to the attention of the JH athletic directors.