Subbing

[TXMike]

Team A is at the line of scrimmage and subs while at the line.  Team B defense of coach decides to send and package B to respond.  Just as the group kids to the numbers he yells at them to come back because he wants to send package C instead.  So the new package comes on the field and is setting up in the defensive formation when the play clock expires.  Is there a foul amd if so who gets penalized?

[Kalle]

The play clock expires so there is a foul. I'd say the foul is on team B as they did not promptly respond (sending in a wrong package was not a prompt response).

[BenG]

I'd agree with Kalle, Team B hasn't reacted promptly with it's substitutes (3-5-2-e).

[bossman72]

Agreed.  Team B foul

[TXMike]

am leaning toward Team B foul also.  I understand the legitimate need for B to be able to match up but "if" they did this on purpose (they never would ;-) ) it would be the same as taking 5 or 6 seconds to react to the A sub

[Osric Pureheart]

Can I just check something?

Three series later, Team A does the same thing, and Team B does the same thing (in such a way that makes it obvious to the covering officials that they weren't doing it deliberately, they just aren't very good at matching up), and the play clock runs out again.  Now what?  Unsportsmanlike conduct on Team A?

[Kalle]

Still a foul on B. Depending on the level of play I could go with another 5-yarder, if it is obvious that team B is just very bad at subbing.

[Osric Pureheart]

So then what does this bit of the rule actually mean?  Only it's spectacularly unclear, even by football rules standards.

    ...The referee will then notify the head coach that any further use of this tactic will result in an unsportsmanlike conduct foul.
PENALTY -
    (Second or more offense) Dead-ball foul, unsportsmanlike conduct. An official will sound his whistle immediately. 15 yards from the succeeding spot. [S27].

[TXMike]

A part of the rules focused on team A who is deliberately subbing late in an attempt to gain an unfair advantage and matchups over B

[bossman72]

Can I just check something?

Three series later, Team A does the same thing, and Team B does the same thing (in such a way that makes it obvious to the covering officials that they weren't doing it deliberately, they just aren't very good at matching up), and the play clock runs out again.  Now what?  Unsportsmanlike conduct on Team A?

If A subs late, B gets a chance to match up.  If the play clock runs out in this scenario, it's on A.