Fed FBZ accidentally ends

[HLin NC]

only for cases where the ball was both intended to be, and was successfully, snapped out of the FBZ.

I don't think we have to deal with intent. The ruling never said "don't look to see what actually happened to the ball at the snap." The ruling deals with a narrow situation in which the committee assumes its a successful shotgun snap and thus allows an A lineman to commit a legal BBW in that limited circumstance. Add any other variable to it and you now don't have the case play, you've created your own and trying to extrapolate a ruling from a limited circumstance.

Botched plays occur all the time. We don't waive ineligible downfield on a busted scrimmage kick because A intended to punt but ended up throwing a pass while some of their lineman drifted off downfield.

[Mike L]

Robert,

A's "intention" of where the ball was "supposed go" is immaterial. All that matters is where the ball did go and when the block happens.

You are using a poor case book example for your point. In that example A1 is 7 yds back, clearly out of the zone. What NFHS rules is it is possible for A linemen to legally BBW if it is done immediately after the snap because they deem the ball to still be in the zone in this type formation. If there is any delay, the ball is out & BBW is now illegal. Consider the time it takes the snapped ball to travel 3+ yds vs the reaction times of the linemen to grasp their point. Personally, I don't think it's possible for them to legally BBW at all, but that's a whole other argument.

In your example, A1 sets up 2 yds behind the line, which when you think about it is just about standing directly behind the center. So now, if A1 muffs the snap, the covering official is going to have to determine if the ball rolled out of the zone prior to the BBW or not. The ball rolling out after a muff/fumble is no different than if it gets carried out or thrown out or whatever.

[HLin NC]

Because I coach. I'm a lot less interested in things like the color of whistles or of eye black, and a lot more in things that can actually affect the game.

While issues of eye black WILL effect you this season as a coach, I'm sure pink whistles do not. I don't care much about the topic either as our state supervisor told us last year "don't even ask." However, for some of us it is a topic of interest.

I appreciate your efforts to apply what officials might rule towards a coaching situation. I believe that MikeL and I have provided reasonable answers to your question. It just took some time and probing to figure out what it was you were asking. Its been a standard NFHS prinicple for officials to usually not be required to devine intent.