NFHS Passing Questions

[Husker John]

Under NFHS rules, if there is a pass down field (ie past the line of scrimmage) can linemen get down field and if so how many yards downfield?

If you throw a forward pass behind the line of scrimmage, it is my understanding that linemen can go downfield and block. Is this correct?

[kdf5]

7-5-12 . . . Ineligible A players may not advance beyond the expanded neutral zone on a legal forward pass play before a legal forward pass that crosses the neutral zone is in flight. If B touches the pass in or behind the neutral zone, this restriction is terminated. An ineligible is not illegally downfield if, at the snap, he immediately contacts a B lineman and the contact does not continue beyond the expanded neutral zone.

Once the pass crosses the neutral zone lineman can advance downfield. There's no restriction on how far they can go. If the forward pass doesn't cross the NZ they can go downfield at any time.

[MJT]

Ineligibles cannot go beyond the expanded NZ (2 yards) until the legal forward pass is thrown, which crosses the NZ.

You are correct on your second statement.

You beat me to it kdf5.

Edited to clarify.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by Husker John

If you throw a forward pass behind the line of scrimmage, it is my understanding that linemen can go downfield and block. Is this correct?

Yep, it's called a "screen" pass.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by Husker John

if there is a pass down field (ie past the line of scrimmage) can linemen get down field and if so how many yards downfield?

CANADIAN RULING:

Linemen can be downfield if in, or had been in, continuous-from-the-LS blocking assignments. Once there is no more contact, they can no longer:

• block an opponent, as it would be illegal contact or pass interference
• go further downfield

There is no number of yards downfield that they can/can't be. As long as stay engaged in the block, it's fine.

Originally Posted by Husker John

If you throw a forward pass behind the line of scrimmage, it is my understanding that linemen can go downfield and block. Is this correct?

CANADIAN RULING:

Yes, because this is a screen pass.

[Warrenkicker]

Originally Posted by kdf5

7-5-12 . . . Ineligible A players may not advance beyond the expanded neutral zone on a legal forward pass play before a legal forward pass that crosses the neutral zone is in flight. If B touches the pass in or behind the neutral zone, this restriction is terminated. An ineligible is not illegally downfield if, at the snap, he immediately contacts a B lineman and the contact does not continue beyond the expanded neutral zone.

Once the pass crosses the neutral zone lineman can advance downfield. There's no restriction on how far they can go. If the forward pass doesn't cross the NZ they can go downfield at any time.

I believe that you and MJT have the final assessment wrong here. The rule states that ineligibles for A can't be beyond the expanded neutral zone until the legal forward pass is in flight. If the pass does not cross the neutral zone then there are no restrictions as to ineligibles crossing the neutral zone prior to the pass. However for passes that do cross the neutral zone the limitations on ineligibles is based on when the ball is in flight and not when it crosses the neutral zone.

[MJT]

That is what I meant Warrenkicker, but it was not very evident in how I worded it, and will go back to clarify.

[Warrenkicker]

I figured you knew what it really was but just didn't type it right.