NFHS Rule 7.5.12

[Rick KY]

I interpret the rule literally to mean the ineligible A player can be in the ENZ whether he is engaged in blocking or not, but he cannot go beyond the ENZ before the pass is thrown.

Bob M. broke this down sentence by sentence, and I see the third being merely a subset of the first. The second being an exception to the first. Why add the third sentence at all, as it adds nothing to the first.

[DrMooreReferee]

This in an interesting subject and really made me think. But after all is said and done, here's what I think.

The neutral is expanded to allow for normal lineplay. But you don't expand the neutral zone on a player by player basis. Ineligible A players can't go beyond the ENZ, but they may go into it, regardless of whether they're engaged or not. Thats basically what I think, and I know thats how we call it on the field.

[SC Ump]

Originally Posted by DrMooreReferee

This in an interesting subject and really made me think.

... and when I do that, that's where my problems start.

To all: Thanks for the input.

[ODJ]

As a practical matter, if the U is 3 yards beyond LOS after stepping up from his 7 yard downfield position at the snap, and the ineligibles are still in front of him, no foul. That's how we call it.

[Bob M.]

Originally Posted by Rick KY

I interpret the rule literally to mean the ineligible A player can be in the ENZ whether he is engaged in blocking or not, but he cannot go beyond the ENZ before the pass is thrown.

REPLY: Literally, I read the rule the same way. However, I know that the intention of the rule is that ineligibles may not go beyond the neutral zone unless they are engaged with a defender. Then they may go into the expanded neutral zone, but not beyond. I agree that the rules don't specifically say that, but I know that's the intention.