Formation judgement

[dammitbobby]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Teso8C0P_vE

What foul, if any, would you have here?

What is your rationale for your judgement?

From a Texas HS championship, there was discussion and disagreement on whether or not this is a foul.

[PTReferee]

I have illegal formation. I try to work to make the formation legal by putting guys where they need to be, but the inside receiver at the top is too far back to put him on the LOS. His front foot is even with the other guy's back foot.

[TxJim]

I have illegal formation. I try to work to make the formation legal by putting guys where they need to be, but the inside receiver at the top is too far back to put him on the LOS. His front foot is even with the other guy's back foot.

So, how do you see the inside man in relation to the rest of the interior lineman?  How is the outside man in relation to the interior lineman and the ball?
Does the inside player meet the 2-27-4 definition of a back? Is his head clearly behind the rear end of the snapper?
Did you warn the coach already or is this the first showing of this formation (see OS-2)? (I believe this is the first occurrence in the game)
So immediately after the play, I'm telling the coach to clean up his slot guy and also that I put him on the line bc you ran the ball to the other side.
If they had thrown the ball beyond the LOS, I'd have a flag on it.

[bossman72]

First quarter and it's the first time I'm seeing this and they run the ball, I'm going to warn the player and the coach that if you want to be covered up you have to be even with the outside receiver with no stagger.  I think you can get away with a warning in that instance.  Flag it next time for 5 in the backfield.  If you threw on this immediately I'm sure you would be supported, but I try to warn when I can when it comes to formations.

RG and RT need warned too.

[Birddog]

It doesn't look good but both wide guys are on.  Don't look at them compared to each other look at each individually.  They both meet requirements for being on the LOS.

[TxBJ]

It doesn't look good but both wide guys are on.  Don't look at them compared to each other look at each individually.  They both meet requirements for being on the LOS.

Technically true, but that is not how it is supposed to be officiated.

[Birddog]

Technically true, but that is not how it is supposed to be officiated.

Thanks,,,,,,,,

[BTP]

I don't get to the formation foul. I stop play before the snap and direct the three players with mouthpieces out of their mouths and dangling from their face masks to leave the field and correct their equipment.

In NFHS (not relevant here), I add a delay of game penalty.

[dammitbobby]

I don't get to the formation foul. I stop play before the snap and direct the three players with mouthpieces out of their mouths and dangling from their face masks to leave the field and correct their equipment.

In NFHS (not relevant here), I add a delay of game penalty.

I yearn for the day when I can say hey kid, the rules say you either put your mouthpiece in or take it off, no dingleberries allowed (because invariably they claim it's a backup.) Currently in NCAA rules there's no prohibition against dangling mouthpieces.

[NVFOA_Ump]

I don't get to the formation foul. I stop play before the snap and direct the three players with mouthpieces out of their mouths and dangling from their face masks to leave the field and correct their equipment.

In NFHS (not relevant here), I add a delay of game penalty.

Actually this has become a problem at all levels since more and more players with dangling mouthpieces have a 2nd mouthpiece already in place.  Not exactly sure how to address this but it is becoming more and more common.

[Clear Lake ref]

The right tackle needs a serious chat as well.

[dammitbobby]

Actually this has become a problem at all levels since more and more players with dangling mouthpieces have a 2nd mouthpiece already in place.  Not exactly sure how to address this but it is becoming more and more common.

It's easy to fix via rule - nothing dangling from your facemask. If you have a mouthpiece attached to your facemask, you have to have it in use, in your mouth.

[BTP]

I yearn for the day when I can say hey kid, the rules say you either put your mouthpiece in or take it off, no dingleberries allowed (because invariably they claim it's a backup.) Currently in NCAA rules there's no prohibition against dangling mouthpieces.

Fair. My limited exposure to NCAA rules was in a Northeastern prep school league, and I may have wishfully applied a Fed standard in practice a time or two.

Thanks for the reminder.