NFHS - Same numbers

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by Ed Hickland

NFHS 7-2-5c states players of the same team shall not participate during the same down.

Not having read Redding I believe the rationale is that an official should prevent this foul if at all possible. It is a live ball foul.

Are they participating during the same down if one leaves the field and another enters the field before the down begins?

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

Are they participating during the same down if one leaves the field and another enters the field before the down begins?

Considering the NFHS Rules definition of "Participation"
(NF: 2-30) "Participation is any act or action by a player or non-player that has an influence on play." it appears the prohibition would only apply to a substitution performed when the ball was alive.

[Ed Hickland]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

Are they participating during the same down if one leaves the field and another enters the field before the down begins?

There is a little math to help understand this situation.

There are 22 players on the field at any one time, 11 on each side. Anyone else is a non-player. When a non-player is summoned into the game he becomes a substitute. When he enters and tells the player he is being replaced the former substitute becomes a player and the former player becomes a replaced player.

Until the ball is snapped -- and the down begins, a player is not participating.