Victory Formation

[dammitbobby]

Putting in this section for input from a variety of codes, was sparked by a (surprising to me at least) discussion in a FB group.

1.  Q4, Team A is ahead by 45 points with 1:05 left, 1/10 at the 50. Team A (coach or QB) indicates to the officials that they are going to line up in the Victory formation and take a knee to end the game. That is communicated to the defense. Team A proceeds to run a real play to the surprise of Team B, and the entire defensive line is pancaked because they weren't expecting a play, and they score.

2. Same setup, but Team A kneels for the first play, and instead of kneeling the second time, runs a real play and again, pancakes the entire defense who wasn't expecting a play, and they score.

How would you handle each of these scenarios?

[Kalle]

In NCAA, just stay away from this if team A indicates anything. They do have the right to run a regular play.

For the International Federation of American Football games (otherwise about 99% NCAA rules) this would be an unsportsmanlike conduct foul as team A is required by rule to take the knee within three seconds of the snap when they have indicated that they will take a knee. 15 yards from the previous spot. 9-2-2-d part 2.

[ElvisLives]

Putting in this section for input from a variety of codes, was sparked by a (surprising to me at least) discussion in a FB group.

1.  Q4, Team A is ahead by 45 points with 1:05 left, 1/10 at the 50. Team A (coach or QB) indicates to the officials that they are going to line up in the Victory formation and take a knee to end the game. That is communicated to the defense. Team A proceeds to run a real play to the surprise of Team B, and the entire defensive line is pancaked because they weren't expecting a play, and they score.

2. Same setup, but Team A kneels for the first play, and instead of kneeling the second time, runs a real play and again, pancakes the entire defense who wasn't expecting a play, and they score.

How would you handle each of these scenarios?

The rules don’t specifically prohibit such action, so, we’d be within all bounds if we do nothing.
But, 9-2-3-c gives the R the ability to impose a penalty he deems equitable, for obviously unfair acts that aren’t specifically covered by the rules. The whole reason that Team A is ‘declaring’ a “victory formation,” is to keep Team B from ‘blowing up’ offensive players. In exchange for that expectation, Team B should be able to expect that Team A will not ‘fake’ the kneel down. I would have my wing official verify with the HC of Team A that they are ‘declaring’ to Team B that they are going to take a knee. If he confirms the ‘victory’ formation, then notify him to have the QB take a knee within 3 seconds, and that any sort of fake will result in an Unsportsmanlike Conduct Foul. Then I would announce to Team B that Team A has declared a victory formation, and they (Team B) should not make any significant contact with Team A players.

[bossman72]

Never ever ever tell the defense the offense is taking a knee.

There are 2 reasons the offense takes a knee:
1) To not screw up and fumble as they run the clock out (primary reason).
2) To show mercy.

You are not doing the defense any favors by telling them to relax when the offense has everything to lose in that situation.  Especially at the end of the 2nd qtr where the offense sometimes runs a fake kneel down play to catch the defense sleeping.  Or the offense could fumble the snap and the defense is standing around because you told them to relax.

When I worked R in high school and they said we're taking a knee in the huddle, I just said "O-line, don't relax, protect yourselves and protect your QB".  I never said anything to the defense.

It's not a dead play.  It's just a gentleman's agreement that the defense doesn't come across.  Yeah tempers will flare up when the defense charges across (even if it's a 1 score game).  But there's nothing we can do.  Just officiate it like a regular play.  Don't make up rules and penalties to make it a dead play.

[bama_stripes]

My standard comment is “Offense, keep blocking.  Defense, don’t do anything stupid.”  That covers all the bases while not indicating a “dead” play.

That said, if the offense tries to rub it in and fake a kneel down, I’m 100% going to have an IW as soon as the QB’s knee starts toward the ground.

[JasonTX]

Do nothing and say nothing.  Line up just as you would for any other play and just officiate.  I've had games that were kneel down plays and the QB muffed the snap and the defense recovered.  Next play is a TD for the defense to win the game.  Just imagine if I tried to interject and tell the defense not to play.