NF 1-6-2 states "Phones and headsets may be used by coaches and other non-players, but not by players". It is legal for a player on the bench to use a headset because of definition 2-30-1, "a player continues to be a player until a substitute enters the field and indicates to the player that he is replaced". Is this definition the one to be used in the 1-6-2 rule? If so, then headsets would be okay for anyone, as long as they don't use it in the game. I think NF could clarify the reading of this 1-6-2 rule.

You have to go strictly by the definitions for this one. A "player" by defintion (Rule 2-30) is one of the 22 team members who are in the game right now. All other team members are non-players (and thus, can legally use headsets during the game).

Be sure to read every section of Rule 2 carefully, because those definitions are the foundation for everything else in the rulebook. Common football terminology may be defined differently from what you would expect (e.g. saying "a player on the bench" makes no sense).

Not only can they not be used in the game, they cannot be used during a timeout by a player. A player remains a player during dead ball periods, including timeouts. What if a player leaves the field during a timeout, uses the headset and then returns. What foul has been committed?

Players aren't allowed to leave the field, even during time-outs they have to be in an authorized on-field conference. I would have to say that the penalty would be illegal participation, similar to a player running out of bounds and back in. The case could be made for unsportsmanlike for the equipment violation, but if illegal participation is called, then I would think that the player in question would be classified as a non-player at that time, meaning that the headset would be legal.

What if while your team is on defense and the QB talks to the Offensive Booth on the headset?

The rule states that any non-player or coach can use the headsets, so it would be legal for the QB to use the headsets if his team is on defense. This is because the QB isn't considered a "player", by strict definition in the rule book, when he is not on the field.

It is not illegal participation to leave the field during a timeout. An authorized conference is not required to have 11 players. Just can't have any more than 11.

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It is not illegal participation to leave the field during a timeout. An authorized conference is not required to have 11 players. Just can't have any more than 11. [/B][/QUOTE]

It is, however, illegal substitution for him to return to the field during or after the time out. Once he leaves the field a substitute must replace him.

What about 9-5-1f: Leaving the field between downs to gain an advantage unless replaced or unless with permission of an official. This is an example of unsportsmanlike conduct by a player. Wouldn't this apply in this case?

It still isn't a foul unless he returns to the field. Don't let him come back.

Leaving the field and returning or entering the field and leaving are covered by 3-7-4 as illegal substitution.

It should NEVER occur. I have my wingmen protect the huddle during a timeout for just such an occurrence. Preventative officiating.

Then when would 9-5-1f ever apply? Sounds like it would always be illegal substitution.

In a perfect world, we would always catch the illegal sub in time to call the foul well before the snap. Usually, this is an honest mistake by the sub and we should stop him before he commits the IS foul. Preventive officiating as Ed has said. However, some coaches use this "substitution" to deceive the other team. That's when 9-5-1f comes into play. It is for a truly unsportsmanlike act.

The only ways to gain advantage between downs that I could think of would be watching a video tape of the game, or a headset. I would see 9-5-1 only applying if a timeout or an official timeout was called. Otherwise, in the normal course of the game, it would be illegal substitution.

Use of a substitution or pretended substitution to deceive the opponent is illegal participation, not unsportsmanlike conduct.