What to do when you communicate with a receiver about his position relative to the line or backfield and the ball is snapped while the receiver moves?
As players leave the huddle and approach the sideline, they should give you a signal to show if they want to be on the line or in the backfield. Some younger players may not check with you. Some younger players may give you a thumbs up (as if to say, “Am I okay?”). You don’t know if they’re okay because you don’t know where they’re supposed to be. If the team on offense is on your sideline, this is an opportunity to put money in the bank and tell the coach you need the players to look at you and to signal forward or backward. A thumbs up with a hopeful look doesn’t help you.
Don’t split hairs! If the player indicates he wants to be in the backfield and he’s a little too far forward, rule that he’s in the backfield. Unless he’s way out of position, rule that he is where he says he wants to be. My grandfather was a machinist, so he wouldn’t be happy with me saying this, but we shouldn’t be overly technical when we rule on formations. Declare the formation is legal if you can without moving players.
Our job is NOT to coach or assist the players. We declare verbally and with a signal where we are ruling the player is standing. I don’t like to say, “You’re off” and “You’re on” because it sounds too similar. I like to say, “You’re on the line” and “You’re in the backfield.” I also like to use the player’s number if he needs to move to make the formation legal. “88, I have you in the backfield!”
If the player is in the correct position, you don’t need to verbalize his position. Simply use your approved signal. In Colorado, we point to the line if we have the player on the line, and we punch back if we have the player in the backfield.
Only move players if they are way out of position and the snap is not imminent. Most of the time you’ll move a player who has inadvertently lined up in the neutral zone. “88, take a step back!” while motioning backward with a thumb. If a player indicates he wants to be in the backfield and is clearly on the line, declare his position with a loud voice: “88, I have you on the line!” Again, it’s not our job to coach the players or assist them in lining up. We officiate, the coaches coach.
Don’t move players to satisfy your OCD.
Now, let’s return to the “What to do” question. What do you do if you declare the player in a position (on the line or in the backfield), he adjusts himself, and he’s moving at the snap?
If no advantage is gained by the player, let it go.
If a Team A player gains a clear advantage, kill the play if he is simulating a snap and rule a false start. If he moves forward without simulating a snap, flag for an illegal shift and let the play continue.
If a Team B player is slightly in the neutral zone and at the snap, and he gets a great jump to create an unfair advantage, kill the play, and flag for encroachment. If he is in the neutral zone and doesn’t get an advantage (i.e., he simply stands up), let the play continue without a flag. Then you can speak to the coaches and/or the umpire to communicate with the player before the next snap.
If the coach complains that an opponent lined up improperly and you didn’t flag it, you can say, “Coach, we’ll take care of it.” If he continues to complain, you can say, “Coach, we’ll do the same for you.”
Quiz
Read the quiz stem and then choose the best answer(s). (Choose all that apply.)
3/5 from the A-40. Team A runs a “middle screen” play. Lineman A55 is on the A-44 when A12 releases the ball. A12 overthrows A45, and the ball hits A55 in the back at the A-44. When the ball hits A55, B12 is in close proximity and reaching for the ball. The pass falls incomplete.
- No foul
- A55 is illegally downfield
- A55 is guilty of offensive pass interference
- A55 is guilty of illegal touching
Review Rules 7-5-6a, 7-5-7, 7-5-8a, 7-5-10, 7-5-12, 7-5-13