Plays of The Week August 19, 2013 by Don Sabo Rules Interpreter Youngstown District Football Officials Association

Play 1 Muddle Huddle

Muddle Huddle VT has just scored a TD and is in the muddle huddle formation. The snapper is who on the end of the line is #34, the kicker is #1 and the holder is #12. The ball is in the middle of the field. The other six linemen are on the left hash mark and #22 is the flanker to the left and #88 is the flanker on the right. A34 snaps the ball to A12 and goes out for a pass and catches it in the end zone. What do who have? : (a) A successful try by A and they score 2 points (b) Illegal formation foul on A; (c) Ineligible downfield foul on A34; (d) Illegal touching foul on A34.

Muddle Huddle VT has just scored a TD and is in the muddle huddle formation. The snapper is who on the end of the line is #34, the kicker is #1 and the holder is #12. The ball is in the middle of the field. The other six linemen are on the left hash mark and #22 is the flanker to the left and #88 is the flanker on the right. A34 snaps the ball to A12 and goes out for a pass and catches it in the end zone. What do who have? (a)A successful try by A and they score 2 points Rule 7-2 ART 5 Player formation and numbering requirements include: a. At the snap, at least seven A players shall be on their line of scrimmage. b. At the snap, at least five A players on their line of scrimmage must be numbered 50 to 79. Rule 2-14 ART A scrimmage kick formation is one in which no player is in position to receive a hand-to-hand snap from between the snapper's legs, and at the snap, either: a. A player is in position with a knee on the ground 7 yards or more behind the line of scrimmage, in position to be the holder and receive the long snap and with another player 3 yards or less behind that player in position to attempt a place kick, or

Muddle Huddle VT has just scored a TD and is in the muddle huddle formation. The snapper is who on the end of the line is #34, the kicker is #1 and the holder is #12. The ball is in the middle of the field. The other six linemen are on the left hash mark and #22 is the flanker to the left and #88 is the flanker on the right. A34 snaps the ball to A12 and goes out for a pass and catches it in the end zone. What do who have? EXCEPTIONS: 1. On first, second or third down, when A sets or shifts into a scrimmage-kick formation as in a, the snapper may be a player numbered 1 to 49 or 80 to 99. If Team A has the snapper in the game under this exception, Team A shall have at least four players wearing numbers 50 to 79 on its line of scrimmage. The snapper in the game under this exception must be between the ends and is an ineligible forward-pass receiver during that down unless the pass is touched by B (7-5-6b). 2. On fourth down or during a kick try, when A sets or shifts into a scrimmage-kick formation, any A player numbered 1 to 49 or 80 to 99 may take the position of any A player numbered 50 to 79. A player in the game under this exception must assume an initial position on his line of scrimmage between the ends and he remains an ineligible forward-pass receiver during that down unless the pass is touched by B (7-5-6b). (a) A successful try by A and they score 2 points

Muddle Huddle VT has just scored a TD and is in the muddle huddle formation. The snapper is who on the end of the line is #34, the kicker is #1 and the holder is #12. The ball is in the middle of the field. The other six linemen are on the left hash mark and #22 is the flanker to the left and #88 is the flanker on the right. A34 snaps the ball to A12 and goes out for a pass and catches it in the end zone. What do who have? Rule Book 7-5 ART Pass eligibility rules apply only to a legal forward pass. The following players are eligible pass receivers: a. All A players eligible by position and number include those who, at the time of the snap, are on the ends of their scrimmage line or legally behind the line (possible total of six) and are numbered 1 to 49 or 80 to 99. (See 7-2-5b EXCEPTION 2) (a) A successful try by A and they score 2 points

Muddle Huddle VT has just scored a TD and is in the muddle huddle formation. The snapper is who on the end of the line is #34, the kicker is #1 and the holder is #12. The ball is in the middle of the field. The other six linemen are on the left hash mark and #22 is the flanker to the left and #88 is the flanker on the right. A34 snaps the ball to A12 and goes out for a pass and catches it in the end zone. What do who have? :(d) Illegal touching foul on A12. CASE Book SITUATION D: With fourth and 6 from the K20, Team K lines up with A21 as the left end; A34, A66, A25, A64 and A86 in the traditional five tackle-guard-center-guard-tackle spots; and A11 on the right end. All are on the line of scrimmage. Players A10, A20 and A5 are in the backfield with A79 lined up in the deep, position as a potential kicker. A25 places his hand on the ball. Prior to the snap, (a) A20 shifts to the line of scrimmage on the right of A86 and left of A11 and sets for one second before the ball is snapped; or (b) A11 steps back off of the line and A20 shifts to replace him as the end, where both are set for a second before the ball is snapped. Who are the eligible receivers prior to the ball being touched by B?

Muddle Huddle VT has just scored a TD and is in the muddle huddle formation. The snapper is who on the end of the line is #34, the kicker is #1 and the holder is #12. The ball is in the middle of the field. The other six linemen are on the left hash mark and #22 is the flanker to the left and #88 is the flanker on the right. A34 snaps the ball to A12 and goes out for a pass and catches it in the end zone. What do who have? RULING: Once A25 placed his hands on the ball, all players in between the ends (A34, A66, A25, A64 and A86) become ineligible and remain ineligible throughout the down. In (a), once A20 assumed a position on the line of scrimmage, A20 became ineligible as he was covered up by A11. A79 is ineligible by number. Only A21, A11, A10 and A5 are eligible on the play. In (b), because A11 stepped back off of the line first, A20 becomes eligible as he would be the end. A21, A20, A11, A10 and A5 are eligible. COMMENT: When A is in scrimmage-kick formation, it does not have to kick and may kick when it is not in this formation. (2-14-2; ; 2-39; 7-2-5b(2); 7-5-6) (a) A successful try by A and they score 2 points

Muddle Huddle Questions

Play 2 Legal or Illegal Play

Legal or Illegal Play QB A12 has 3 rd down and 5 yards to go from his own 35 yard line with less then 2 minutes to go in the game and down by 5 points.. All of the offense is set for a second. A12 goes behind the center and the center does not snap the ball thru his legs, but he turns and gives the ball to A12. A12 is walking to his sideline yelling to his coach that “this ball is flat”, ”this ball is flat”. After he passes the defensive end he turns and runs up the field for a TD. The Linesman threw a penalty flag. What do we have? A.A TD for the VT and they are now winning. B.3 rd and 10 for A at their 30 yard line after an illegal motion foul. C.3 rd and 20 at their 20 yard line after an Unsporstmanlike Foul on the Head Coach.

Legal or Illegal Play QB A12 has 3 rd down and 5 yards to go from his own 35 yard line with less then 2 minutes to go in the game and down by 5 points.. All of the offense is set for a second. A12 goes behind the center and the center does not snap the ball thru his legs, but he turns and gives the ball to A12. A12 is walking to his sideline yelling to his coach that “this ball is flat”, ”this ball is flat”. After he passes the defensive end he turns and runs up the field for a TD. The Linesman threw a penalty flag. What do we have? C. 3 rd and 20 at their 20 yard line after an Unsporstmanlike Foul on the Head Coach. Rule Book 9 1 ART A player or nonplayer or person(s) not subject to the rules shall not hinder play by an unfair act which has no specific rule coverage. Case Book Unfair Act SITUATION B: From a field goal formation, potential kicker A1 yells, "Where's the tee?" A2 replies, "I'll go get it" and goes legally in motion toward his team's sideline. Ball is snapped to A1 who throws a touchdown pass to A2. RULING: Unsportsmanlike conduct prior to snap. The ball should be declared dead and the foul enforced as a dead-ball foul. COMMENT: Football has been and always will be a game of deception and trickery involving multiple shifts, unusual formations and creative plays. However, actions or verbiage designed to confuse the defense into believing there is problem and a snap isn't imminent is beyond the scope of sportsmanship and is illegal.

Legal or Illegal Play Questions

Play 3 Illegal Helmet Contact

Illegal Helmet Contact A12 is back to pass with 3 rd down and 5 yards to go on his own 33 yard line. After he throws the pass B99 launches himself at A12 and hits A12 with his helmet into A12’s helmet at A’s 25 yard line. The pass is incomplete. The Referee throws a penalty flag at the spot of the pass. Where will the ball be next put into play? A.1 st and 10 for A at their 48 yard line. B.4 th and 5 for A at their 33 yard line. C.1 st and 10 for A at B’s 37 yard line D.1 st and 10 for A at A’s 40 yard line

Illegal Helmet Contact A12 is back to pass with 3 rd down and 5 yards to go on his own 33 yard line. After he throws the pass B99 launches himself at A12 and hits A12 with his helmet into A12’s helmet at A’s 25 yard line. The pass is incomplete. The Referee throws a penalty flag at the spot of the pass. Where will the ball be next put into play? A.1 st and 10 for A at their 48 yard line. Rule Book No player or nonplayer shall: i. Initiate illegal helmet contact. (butt block, face tackle or spear) NOTE: Illegal helmet contact may be considered a flagrant act. Acts to be considered flagrant include, but are not limited to: 1. Illegal helmet contact against an opponent lying on the ground, 2. Illegal helmet contact against an opponent being held up by other players, and/or 3. Illegal helmet-to-helmet contact against a defenseless opponent. PENALTY: Roughing passer (Art. 4) – (S34) – 15 yards and a first down from the dead ball spot when the dead ball spot is beyond the neutral zone and A has possession of the ball at the end of the down, and there has been no change of team possession, or otherwise 15 yards and first down from previous spot; illegal helmet contact (Art. 3i) – (S24) – 15 yards

Illegal Helmet Contact A12 is back to pass with 3 rd down and 5 yards to go on his own 33 yard line. After he throws the pass B99 launches himself at A12 and hits A12 with his helmet into A12’s helmet at A’s 25 yard line. The pass is incomplete. The Referee throws a penalty flag at the spot of the pass. Where will the ball be next put into play? A.1 st and 10 for A at their 48 yard line. Rule 2-20 ART Illegal helmet contact is an act of initiating contact with the helmet against an opponent. There are several types of illegal helmet contact: a. Butt Blocking is an act by an offensive or defensive player who initiates contact against an opponent who is not a runner with the front of his helmet. b. Face Tackling is an act by a defensive player who initiates contact with a runner with the front of his helmet. c. Spearing is an act by an offensive or defensive player who initiates contact against any opponent with the top of his helmet. Rule ART Types of fouls are: c. Flagrant - a foul so severe or extreme that it places an opponent in danger of serious injury, and/or involves violations that are extremely or persistently vulgar or abusive conduct.

Illegal Helmet Contact A12 is back to pass with 3 rd down and 5 yards to go on his own 33 yard line. After he throws the pass B99 launches himself at A12 and hits A12 with his helmet into A12’s helmet at A’s 25 yard line. The pass is incomplete. The Referee throws a penalty flag at the spot of the pass. Where will the ball be next put into play? A.1 st and 10 for A at their 48 yard line. Case Book SITUATION K: During a running play, A1 breaks into the secondary. Safety B1 comes up quickly and drives his face mask or helmet directly into the chest of A1. B1 simultaneously wraps his arms around A1 bringing him to the ground. RULING: This is a face-tackling foul by B1. (2-20)

Illegal Helmet Contact A12 is back to pass with 3 rd down and 5 yards to go on his own 33 yard line. After he throws the pass B99 launches himself at A12 and hits A12 with his helmet into A12’s helmet at A’s 25 yard line. The pass is incomplete. The Referee throws a penalty flag at the spot of the pass. Where will the ball be next put into play? A.1 st and 10 for A at their 48 yard line. Case Book COMMENT: Is there suggested guidance on what is meant by a defenseless player who should be protected from unnecessary roughness? Yes, defenseless players are especially vulnerable to potential injury. Game officials must diligently observe all action and watch for contact against players who are deemed defenseless such as: (a) A quarterback moving down the line of scrimmage who has handed or pitched the ball to a teammate, and then makes no attempt to participate further in the play; (b) A kicker who is in the act of kicking the ball, or who has not had a reasonable amount of time to regain his balance after the kick; (c) A passer who is in the act of throwing the ball, or who has not had a reasonable length of time to participate in the play again after releasing the ball; (d) A pass receiver whose concentration is on the ball and the contact by the defender is unrelated to attempting to catch the ball; (e) A pass receiver who has clearly relaxed when he has missed the pass or feels he can no longer catch; (f) A kick receiver whose attention is on the downward flight of the ball; (g) A kick receiver who has just touched the ball; (h) Any player who has relaxed once the ball has become dead; and (i) Any player who is obviously out of the play. The game official must draw distinction between contact necessary to make a legal block or tackle, and that which targets defenseless players.

Illegal Helmet Contact A12 is back to pass with 3 rd down and 5 yards to go on his own 33 yard line. After he throws the pass B99 launches himself at A12 and hits A12 with his helmet into A12’s helmet at A’s 25 yard line. The pass is incomplete. The Referee throws a penalty flag at the spot of the pass. Where will the ball be next put into play? A.1 st and 10 for A at their 48 yard line. Case Book SITUATION C: Quarterback A1 has: (a) handed off to A2 and is walking away observing the progress of the play; or (b) thrown a legal forward pass and is moving away from the play after the pass was caught. In (a) and (b), B1 tackles A1. RULING: Illegal personal contact by B1 in both (a) and (b). It is a foul for illegal personal contact when a player charges into or throws an opponent to the ground after he is obviously out of the play. The 15-yard penalty is administered in accordance with the all- but-one principle. If the act is flagrant, B1 must be disqualified. (2-40-1, , )

Illegal Helmet Contact Questions