Scrimmage Kick Formation Discussion
 

We had a little bit of discussion on this one last week after our meeting. Federation Rules, sorry.
Team A/K lines up in a scrimmage kick formation for punt. The formation really stinks and looks more like a banana then a line. The formation is would actually be an illegal formation, (too many in backfield or not enough on the line). The wings would actually flag for an illegal formation at the snap. So that sets the stage. Now, is the snapper afforded protection? If so why, and if not why not? Please provide rules or case references if possible.

Thanks.

in those codes with a definition of "scrimmage kick formation", I don't see any requirement that it be a legal formation to snap from. And the rules just make certain additional actions legal or illegal based on whether the ball was snapped while that definition was met.

Besides, the usual practice is not to get too technical about triggering rules conditions pertaining to player safety. You wrote that the team "lines up in a scrimmage kick formation", meaning that that's what it looked like to whoever's saying that. Whatever made the official decide it was a scrimmage kick formation (that being a technical term now) should be enough, regardless of whether the formation stinks.

Ask yourself "what defines a scrimmage kick formation?" Does it mention anything about how many people are on the line? In the back field?

All a scrimmage kick formation classifies is who can be on the line and what situation they can be on the line. Do not complicate the issue with what other things are happening. If they are not lined up properly on the line, that has nothing to do with a SKF or being legal or not.

Peace

Spirit of the rule - flag roughing the snapper if it happens in this instance