Line of Scrimmage Rules?

[Robert Goodman]

In all major codes, team A's line of scrimmage is the vertical plane parallel to the end lines and passing thru the point of the ball as RFP closest to team A's end line. In all American codes, team B's LOS is likewise for their point of the ball; in Canadian football it's 1 yard behind there. The neutral zone is the space between those planes.

However, a player can be "on" his team's line of scrimmage without literally touching that plane. In all major American codes now to be "on" it for team A, you need to have some part of your head (or helmet) beyond the vertical plane parallel to the end lines and passing through the waist of the snapper, and to face approximately forward (i.e. perpendicularly toward the opponent's end line) as judged by the shoulders. (Notice that the snapper merely by touching the ball and facing forward will have his head past the plane of his own waist.) The various codes have little differences regarding the add'l requirement of whether you can lock legs or in some way overlap with other players on the line. The codes also have slight differences regarding team B players being on their LOS.

[tjones1]

Official:

This is a pretty good thread on eligible/ineligible recievers.

How do you identify eligible/ineligible recievers?

[Official]

So basically the way I understand it. You can have seven or more guys on the line. To be an eligible receiver you can't have a number 50-70. The two outside receivers on the line are eligible. Anyone on the line inside the two ends are ineligible. What about this formation. I would say WR4 is elible since he's on the end. WR1 is eligible since he's on the end of the line. WR3 is eligible since he's of the line. I'm confused about WR2 and TE1 can somebody explain their status?

WR4----------OOOOOTE1---WR2------WR1
-----------------O--------------WR3

[Rob S]

Well, you basically answered your own question. "Anyone on the line inside the two ends are ineligible." TE1 and WR2 are inelegible in this formation. Typically they'd both line up as backs so you'll have 7 on the line and 4 in the backfield resulting in 6 elegibles. In this case, the offense is reducing their number of eligibles to 4.

[Official]

oh okay. so only 1 guy on the line on each side of the qb is eligbile then?

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Official

oh okay. so only 1 guy on the line on each side of the qb is eligbile then?

If the number is eligible.

Peace

[bisonlj]

Originally Posted by Official

oh okay. so only 1 guy on the line on each side of the qb is eligbile then?

The location of the QB is irrelevant. Replace "QB" with "line" and you are correct. Also, any backs are eligible. And all of this assumes they have an eligible number. Players are eligible by number and position.

Also note it's possible for the snapper to be eligible if he's on the end of the line and wearing an eligible number.

[Official]

probably a dumb question. but to be on the line you have to have some body part on or near the line? - a foot, or hand? what if a linemans hand is off the line but his helmet is near the line?

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by official

to be an eligible receiver you can't have a number 50-70.

50-79

[Official]

typo

[Official]

which do i read first? football - rules by topic. football case book. football rules book. football officials manual?

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Official

which do i read first? football - rules by topic. football case book. football rules book. football officials manual?

All of them.

Peace

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by Official

which do i read first? football - rules by topic. football case book. football rules book. football officials manual?

The rules by topic book is a collation of the rule book and case book around common topics (hence the title). In some ways it's a more straightforward trip through the entire rule book than rule 1 to rule 10.

It's what I use to review the rules before each season.