2. INDOOR BULLET #3 THE CONCEPT OF “DAYLIGHT” December 30, 2008 Illegal formation calls will not be missed in 2009!

3. That is, if any portion of the back’s or linebacker’s body breaks the plane of the rear most portion of the linemen, there is no “daylight” and thus, we have an illegal formation. That is, if any portion of the back’s or linebacker’s body breaks the plane of the rear most portion of the linemen, there is no “daylight” and thus, we have an illegal formation. Rule H, in part, discusses “Player Alignment.” Rule H, in part, discusses “Player Alignment.” Official will interpret “daylight” by utilizing the concept we use when discussing “breaking the plane” of the goal line. Official will interpret “daylight” by utilizing the concept we use when discussing “breaking the plane” of the goal line. In 2009, Rule H will state there must be “Daylight” between the back and all offensive linemen. Likewise, there must be “Daylight” between the linebackers and all defensive linemen. In 2009, Rule H will state there must be “Daylight” between the back and all offensive linemen. Likewise, there must be “Daylight” between the linebackers and all defensive linemen.

4. This is the plane at the rear most portion of the deepest defensive lineman. The linebackers in this cut DO NOT break the plane of the rear most defensive lineman. This is a LEGAL FORMATION.

5. This is the plane at the rear most portion of the deepest offensive lineman. The back in this cut DOES NOT break the plane of the rear most part of the offensive lineman. This is a LEGAL FORMATION.

6. This is an ILLEGAL FORMATION. There is no daylight between the right guard and the running back.

7. This is simply too close to call. Therefore, our interpretation will be that this is an ILLEGAL FORMATION.

8. This is a LEGAL FORMATION. There is daylight between the right guard and the running back.

9. There is no daylight between the left guard and the running back. This is an ILLEGAL FORMATION.

10. There is daylight between the center and the linebackers. This is a LEGAL FORMATION.

11. There is daylight on both sides of the ball. These are LEGAL FORMATIONS.

12. Therefore, our interpretation will be that this is an ILLEGAL FORMATION. This is too close to call.

13. This is a LEGAL FORMATION, but it is about as close as you can get to having daylight and being legal. There is just about enough daylight between the right guard and the linebacker’s foot.

14. There is daylight between the right guard and the running back. This is a LEGAL FORMATION.

15. Officiating Staff, Coaches, and Players – “Daylight” is a simple concept. NO PART OF A RUNNING BACK OR LINEBACKER MAY “BREAK THE PLANE” OF THE LINE DRAWN THROUGH THE REAR MOST PORTION OF THE REAR MOST DOWN LINEMAN. Officiating Staff, Coaches, and Players – “Daylight” is a simple concept. NO PART OF A RUNNING BACK OR LINEBACKER MAY “BREAK THE PLANE” OF THE LINE DRAWN THROUGH THE REAR MOST PORTION OF THE REAR MOST DOWN LINEMAN. It is the back’s or linebacker’s responsibility to make sure there is daylight, as interpreted herein, between him and the deepest lineman’s body part, be it the lineman’s foot or his rear-end. This player must ensure there is daylight between himself and ALL DOWN LINEMAN … It is the back’s or linebacker’s responsibility to make sure there is daylight, as interpreted herein, between him and the deepest lineman’s body part, be it the lineman’s foot or his rear-end. This player must ensure there is daylight between himself and ALL DOWN LINEMAN … … not just the lineman in front of him! … not just the lineman in front of him! An illegal formation is a 5-yard live ball foul. An illegal formation is a 5-yard live ball foul.

16. If in doubt, the running back or linebacker should take a step back, because if it is too close for the official to determine in an instant, the formation will be ruled as illegal. If in doubt, the running back or linebacker should take a step back, because if it is too close for the official to determine in an instant, the formation will be ruled as illegal. Officials and Players – be especially wary of this concept near the goal line, where running backs and linebackers have a natural tendency to “scoot up” towards the line of scrimmage. Officials and Players – be especially wary of this concept near the goal line, where running backs and linebackers have a natural tendency to “scoot up” towards the line of scrimmage. Wing Officials will follow this guideline: If you must think more than a split second about whether daylight exists, it does not exist! Flag it! Wing Officials will follow this guideline: If you must think more than a split second about whether daylight exists, it does not exist! Flag it! If you are too close, your team will be penalized. If you are too close, your team will be penalized.

17. Is the defensive formation legal or illegal? Look at the defensive formation. This formation falls into the category of ‘too close to call.’ If it is too close to call, we will rule we have no daylight, therefore it is a foul. The left side linebacker's head breaks the plane of the rear most portion of the right guard's foot. Thus, this formation is illegal. This is an illegal formation. Your answer is? This is a live ball foul. If accepted, it is a 5-yard penalty from the previous spot.

18. Is the defensive formation legal or illegal? Look at the defensive formation. This formation falls into the category of “ridiculous” or “You gotta’ be kidding me!!!” This must be flagged!! This is ridiculous! The linebacker is in the gap! This better be flagged as illegal!!!! This is an illegal formation. Your answer is? This is a live ball foul. If accepted, it is a 5-yard penalty from the previous spot.

19. Is the offensive formation legal or illegal? Look at the offensive formation. The running back has ensured there is daylight between him and the rear most portion of the deepest lineman which in this case, happens to be the right guard. Thus, this formation is legal. This is a legal formation. Your answer is?

20. Is the offensive formation legal or illegal? Look at both the offensive and defensive formations. PLAYERS – ENSURE YOU DO NOT BREAK THE PLANE OF THE REAR MOST PORTION OF THE DEEPEST LINEMAN! The offense is in a legal formation. Your answer is? What about the defense? Is the defensive formation legal or illegal? The defense is in a legal formation. Your answer is? PLAYERS REMEMBER – If the official has to think for more than a split second as to whether there is daylight or not, YOU ARE TOO CLOSE AND YOU WILL BE FLAGGED! BE ESPECIALLY AWARE OF THIS NEAR THE GOAL LINE, WHEN YOUR NATURAL TENDENCY WILL BE TO "SCOOT UP” TO THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE

21. Is the defensive formation legal or illegal? Look at the defensive formation. This was an easy one. The official doesn't have to think about it at all. Players, if you want to play games by scooting up very close, and you end up making the official have to think about it for a split second, then you are too close and you will be the cause of an illegal formation. Neither linebacker breaks the plane of the rear most portion of the deepest defensive lineman which in this case appears to be the right guard. Thus, this formation is LEGAL. This is a legal formation. Your answer is? Players, make it easy on yourself. GET BACK!

22. Is the defensive formation legal or illegal? This is a LEGAL FORMATION, but barely. (and we are looking at this formation from a poor angle – the wing on the line of scrimmage probably will see that there is daylight.) Look at the defensive formation. Your answer is? If both linebackers are any closer, this would be illegal. We get the point, correct?

23. Is the defensive formation legal or illegal? This is an ILLEGAL FORMATION. Look at the defensive formation. Your answer is? There’s no daylight. The left linebacker is not only too close to the center and guard; he breaks the plane of the right foot of the right guard.

24. Is the defensive formation legal or illegal? This is an ILLEGAL FORMATION. Look at the defensive formation. Your answer is? The left linebacker is clearly breaking the plane of the right guard’s foot. It also appears as if the right linebacker’s left leg breaks the plane of the right guard’s foot.

25. Is the defensive formation legal or illegal? This is a LEGAL FORMATION. Look at the defensive formation. Your answer is?

26. Is the offensive formation legal or illegal? This is a LEGAL FORMATION. An easy one to determine. Look at the offensive formation. Your answer is?

27. Is the defensive formation legal or illegal? This is an ILLEGAL FORMATION. This one is easy and needs no explanation. Look at the defensive formation. Your answer is?

28. Is the defensive formation legal or illegal? This is a LEGAL FORMATION. Too bad all formations can’t be this simple! Look at the defensive formation. Your answer is?

29. Is the offensive formation legal or illegal? This is a LEGAL FORMATION. Look at the offensive formation. Your answer is?

30. Is the defensive formation legal or illegal? This is an ILLEGAL FORMATION. The left linebacker’s right foot breaks the plane of the right guard’s right foot. Look at the defensive formation. Your answer is?

31. Is the defensive formation legal or illegal? This is an ILLEGAL FORMATION. This is simply too obvious, and this call will not be missed. Look at the defensive formation. Your answer is?

32. If daylight is enforced correctly in the first game of the season, and enforced in EVERY ARENA IN THIS MANNER, we should have no issues with this call. If daylight is enforced correctly in the first game of the season, and enforced in EVERY ARENA IN THIS MANNER, we should have no issues with this call. In closing, daylight is a simple concept to understand and comprehend. In closing, daylight is a simple concept to understand and comprehend. If any portion (any portion means any portion – including helmet, foot, hand) breaks the plane of the rear most portion of the rear most portion of the rear most lineman (usually his foot), we have an illegal formation. PLAYERS? GET BACK! If any portion (any portion means any portion – including helmet, foot, hand) breaks the plane of the rear most portion of the rear most portion of the rear most lineman (usually his foot), we have an illegal formation. PLAYERS? GET BACK! Simply think of the age-old concept in football known as “breaking the plane.” Simply think of the age-old concept in football known as “breaking the plane.”