Breaking the Cluster with 12

[mccormicw]

Team A breaks their cluster with 12 players.  Since the cluster isn't a huddle until the RFP, has A committed a substitution violation?

Second situation.  A has 14 players in their formation.  At the RFP, 3 players immediately depart the formation for the sideline.  Has A committed a substitution violation?

 

[NVFOA_Ump]

I'd focus on Rule 3-5-3 and the length of time it takes the departing A player to leave the field after the incoming substitutes have become players.  If Team A is keeping more that 11 players on the field for an extended period of time, then it should be flagged.  Under the rules Team B has a right to know what 11 players will be on the field for A.

More Than Eleven Players on the Field ARTICLE 3.

a. Team A may not break the huddle with more than 11 players nor keep more than 11 players in the huddle or in a formation for more than three seconds. Officials shall stop the action whether or not the ball has been snapped.

b. Team B is allowed to briefly retain more than 11 players on the field to anticipate the offensive formation, but it may not have more than 11 players in its formation if the snap is imminent. Whether the snap is imminent or has just occurred, the officials shall stop the action.

PENALTY [a-b]—Dead-ball foul. Five yards at the succeeding spot. [S22]

[Kalle]

If team A has more than 11 "players" on the field before the RFP, all is fine, if the extra "players" leave the huddle within three seconds of the RFP and team A does not rush to the line. If you think that either team is using the substitution process to disguise their players and trying to gain an advantage, it is a foul. If the other team is able to react and substitute, no foul.