Offensive Linemen Numbering Requirements
 

Had a discussion this weekend where we had an interior lineman with the number 90 and the TE with the number 57. Someone indicated this was an illegal formation. This team never passed the ball and we always had at least five on the line numbered 50 - 79. Is there a problem with an interior lineman wearing 90? What if number 57 lined up out wide but never went out for a pass, any problems?

The rules are simple:

--5 on the line numbered 50-79
--Players are restricted by number and/or position. 57 is ineligible by number. 90, as an interior lineman, is ineligible by position.

Its not an illegal formation for numbering because they have at least 5 on the line numbered 50-79. It doesn't matter where they're lined up, as long as they have 5 inelligible #'s on the line.

In the second scenario, #57 is inelligible by #, regardless of formation, and cannot go out for a pass. If he does you should have a flag on any pass that is beyond the LOS. And 90 is inelligible by formation if he's covered

Canadian Ruling
 

CANADIAN RULING:

Ineligibles are 40-69. We also require 5 ineligibles on the line. They can numbered outside of 40-69, but must report to the Referee first. Eligible by position within 40-69 must also report if they wish to be eligible to catch a pass.

HS (NFHS) coaches in the US think they can report to the Referee, but they can't. Period. You're either ineligible by number or position/formation.

I had a frustrating time Friday night when the visiting coach asked me about using a lineman in the backfield. He first asked if the player could change jerseys offense/defense. I asked the coach if #62 ever went downfield on a passing play or received a pass himself. The coach laughed and said no, never. I told him to keep 62 in #62, then. No rules were being broken.

First series, the home coach is screaming about 62 in the backfield, so I slide over on the first COP. I listened to the coach and then told him the rule. He then mentioned that at least 5 crews told him his #54 couldn't line up in the backfield and one crew (the first week) even flagged him for it. Sigh. I wrote a letter to the league commissioner and encouraged him to pass it to the state office so that it can be included in a future bulletin. But for varsity crews to think a Sunday rule is a Friday rule is just inexcusable.

inexcusable - that's a very kind way of putting it. :)

I think I read that the NFL even goes sofar as to say that Centres are 50s, Guards are 60s, Tackles are 70s.

In Canada, you can wear whatever # you like, but in some cases you might have to report.

NCAA appears to be the same as Fed. Simple: 5 (minimum) on the line of 50-79, and all are ineligible regardless of where they line up.

Had a pass completed to 69 last night. What's the foul and penalty?

It's Illegal Touching. Prior to changing the rule last year it was OPI

Penalty is 5yds + LOD

Enforcement Depends on where the touching occured.

Beyond LOS - Enforce from Previous Spot
Behind LOS - Enforce from Spot of Touching (All-but-One)

Sometimes it works out that way and there are some traditional reasons why the numbers go up as you go out from the center, but there's nothing keeping a center, guard or tackle from wearing any of the numbers from 50-79, inclusive, in the NFL.

And yet they write the rule book that way. The field officials can't enforce it, there's no official definition of "guard" or "tackle" anyway, but apparently NFL (and other leagues who write their own rule books) likes to use the rule book to state league policy in addition to actual playing rules.

Robert

Bear in mind, some state associations make exceptions for sub-varsity games. I know Iowa has it in their football manual that officials should have flexibility at games below the varsity level regarding number sits like this with the understanding the coach must report it before the game so the officials can notify the opposing coach.

Nebraska has said in the meetings they encourage the schools to follow the rule for sub-varsity games, but tell the officials don't make a big deal out of it at that level as long as the coach notifies us before the game. We always try to notify the opposing coach in some manner. Some are usually like, ok, whatever, although we've had a handful here who screams for a flag even though they've been notified ahead of time. It just sickens me the sub-varsity guys are NOT required to go to the rules meetings like the varsity head coaches and the officials. :rolleyes: