Here is a Ray Lutz “Forward Progress” post from September 3, 2008 (Edited for clarity)
Here is the rule:
Rule 7, Section 5, ART. 12 . . . Ineligible A players may not advance beyond the expanded neutral zone on a legal forward pass play before a legal forward pass that crosses the neutral zone is in flight. If B touches the pass in or behind the neutral zone, this restriction is terminated. An ineligible is not illegally downfield if, at the snap, he immediately contacts a B lineman and the contact does not continue beyond the expanded neutral zone.
Here is the mechanic:
On a forward pass that is complete behind the LOS, ineligible lineman are allowed to go downfield and block their opponents immediately at the snap.
On a forward pass that is complete beyond the LOS, ineligible linemen may not cross the expanded neutral zone until the pass is in flight.
In NFHS 5-man mechanics, the umpire determines if a pass has gone beyond the neutral zone. To be in the best position to make this determination, he must immediately move up to the LOS after reading “pass” from his keys.
The umpire will also determine if a pass was thrown from behind or beyond the neutral zone, another reason he should be on the line.
Umpires who don’t understand the importance of this mechanic or just plain fail to execute it abdicate their fiduciary responsibility to rule on this game-critical situation.
Most linebackers line up 4 yards behind the LOS. If umpires line up a yard behind and off either shoulder of the middle linebacker or off the inside shoulder of outside linebackers, they should be within five steps of the LOS. When reading “pass” from his keys, the umpire simply takes five steps forward, observing blocking techniques as he goes and being aware of what the offensive linemen are doing. If the pass is caught near the LOS, the umpire should “punch” either forward or backward, a signal to his crew whether the pass was complete beyond or behind the LOS.
If the pass is caught behind the line, the Umpire simply observes the play. If the pass is complete beyond the line, the umpire quickly observes the location of offensive linemen. Do not split hairs over an offensive lineman being a yard or two downfield when the pass is caught. Remember, offensive linemen can start downfield when the pass is thrown. By the time the Umpire sees the pass caught and then observes the offensive linemen, they may legally be several yards downfield.
Quiz
Read the quiz stem and then choose the best answer.
1/10 from the A-20. B25 intercepts A12’s pass at the A-40. During B25’s return, A20 blocks below the waist at the A-30 and non-player B77 runs into the line judge on the sideline at the A-35. B25 is tackled at the A-25.
- A20’s and B77’s penalties will cancel
- Team B will decline A20’s foul and enforce B77’s foul to keep the ball
- Enforce A20’s foul from the A-30
- Enforce A20’s foul from the A-25
- Enforce B77’s foul from the succeeding spot
Review Rules 10-2-4, 10-2-5a, 9-4-8 PENALTY, 10-3-2, 10-4-9