1. Scrimmage Downs
General Guidelines

2. Formations Offensive Team Requirements: Before snap – At the snap –
Snapper must not move to another position
Subs must have been inside 9-yd marks (numbers)
No encroachment
No FST
At the snap –
Be inbounds
Be either OL or back
Must have 5 OL numbered 50 – 79 (except scrimmage kick formation)
Set at least 1 sec.
1 back may be in motion

3. Formations Defensive requirements: Not touch ball
Not enter NZ causing OL to react immediately
Gap → 2 OL; Head up → 3 OL
Not enter NZ and continue unabated to a back
No non-defensive movement
No disconcerting signals (words; signals or sounds; cadence)

4. Position / Alignment
R: yds deep & yds outside of ball’s position
U: 5-10 yds deep; see snap; out of way of defense
HL: LOS – Out of bounds; Straddle NZ
LJ: LOS– Out of bounds; Straddle NZ
BJ: yds deep

5. Pre-Snap Routine May vary slightly by position, but should include …
Correct spot / forward progress
Sub mechanics
Counting players
Down & Distance (Ball position)
Line to Gain
Clock status (previous play?)
Position
Keys

6. Blocking Philosophies
Offensive Holding - OH
Potential OH away from POA → No Call
Double Team → No call unless takedown or pulled back after splitting
If OL’s feet are beat, he will cheat → alert for OH, IBW, TRP, UNR, etc.
Tackle; Pullover; Grab & Restrict; Hook & Restrict; Takedown; Jerk & Restrict
OH, but held player makes tackle → No Call
Chop Block - CHB
Engaged high then engage low (thigh or below) → CHB
Engaged low then engage high (above waist) → CHB
Engaged high; disengages then engaged low by diff. player → CHB
Both contacts must occur for CHB to be called.

7. Blocking Philosophies
Illegal Block in the Back – IBB
Initial contact in back & above waist.
Position of the blocker’s head is irrelevant.
Block from behind below waist → Clipping (CLP)
Illegal Block Below the Waist – IBW (Rule 9-1-6)
5 yd band regarding the LOS
“Directed from the front” → “10 & 2”; Area of concentration
Alert: Blocking toward original position of ball or toward own end line
NO blocks below waist on kick plays or any change of possession