Is it true?

[rwest]

I'm not a football official. However, I was at a game and the fans were yelling for offsides on the defense when the ball had not been snapped yet. I was told that if they line up offsides, the officials are to call it immediately. The offsense doesn't have to hike the ball. Is this true?

NFHS ruleset by the way.

Thanks!

[bkdow]

Lined up in the neutral zone becomes a dead ball at the snap. Crossing into the neutral zone prior to the snap becomes a dead ball immediately.

My sideline last night thought the Nose Tackle was over the line on every play, however they couldn't get the correct angle because I was there on the correct angle. My HL and I talked about it on every time out and it was close but they were crying foul all night.

The angle is very, very important!

[rwest]

Originally Posted by bkdow

Lined up in the neutral zone becomes a dead ball at the snap. Crossing into the neutral zone prior to the snap becomes a dead ball immediately.

My sideline last night thought the Nose Tackle was over the line on every play, however they couldn't get the correct angle because I was there on the correct angle. My HL and I talked about it on every time out and it was close but they were crying foul all night.

The angle is very, very important!

So you have to snap the ball to get offsides if the defense lines up in the neutral but it's an immediate dead ball if they MOVE into the neutral zone even if they don't contact an offensive player?

[bkdow]

yes, in High School, that's correct.

[rwest]

Originally Posted by bkdow

yes, in High School, that's correct.

I'm shocked that the fans didn't know the rules. Shocked, I tell you! One of the guys we asked is a Lacrosse Coach. Surely he would know the rules! Again, I'm shocked!

Thanks!

[ppaltice]

Originally Posted by rwest

So you have to snap the ball to get offsides if the defense lines up in the neutral but it's an immediate dead ball if they MOVE into the neutral zone even if they don't contact an offensive player?

It is a dead-ball encroachment in both cases. Rule 7-1-6: Following the ready for play and after the snapper has placed his hand(s) on the ball, encroachment ocurs if any other player breaks the plane of the neutral zone.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by ppaltice

It is a dead-ball encroachment in both cases. Rule 7-1-6: Following the ready for play and after the snapper has placed his hand(s) on the ball, encroachment ocurs if any other player breaks the plane of the neutral zone.

Which is exactly not the same as lining up in the neutral zone.

[rwest]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

Which is exactly not the same as lining up in the neutral zone.

Prior to the ready for play signal, if the Defensive Tackle is lined up in the neutral zone and does not move, is it encroachment once the ready for play has been signaled AND the center has placed their hands on the ball?

[ppaltice]

NFHS, if a player enters the neutral zone after the ball is blown ready for play and the snapper touches the ball, it is a dead ball, encroachment.

We do not have "offsides" in NFHS nor a distinction between the offense and the defense in the neutral zone.

Lined up in the neutal zone after the ready for play and the snapper has touched the ball is a dead ball foul (you do not need to wait for the snap).

Depending on the level, some leniency is sometimes allowed for players lined up in the neutral zone; however, there is no rule to support this leniency.

[bkdow]

I guess I am leinent...on both sides of the ball.