Two on and Two Off

[loveofficiating]

I got a few more days before our first scrimmages and can anyone tell me more about the two on and two off with receivers?  You have to have 7 on the line of scrimmage, so that means two players other than lineman.  You obviously can have more than 7 on the line of scrimmage     The two on means that they are not eligible to catch the balls (part of the 7 on the line)?  If there are more than 7 (say 9) on the line I think that is where the receivers have to let the ref know that they are on and off, right?  I realize that I am making this sound more confusing than it should be....but I would appreciate any help.

[Kirby]

This applies to non-kicking situations and I'll just say the same thing a couple different ways:

Team A must have 7 on the line.
5 or more of those 7 must be numbered 50-79.
The 2 of the 7 on the end of the line are eligible if they are numbered 1-49 or 80-99.
The 4 not on the line (backs) are eligible if they are numbered 1-49 or 80-99.

Read the definitions in Rule 2 of linemen and backs to understand this more. Many assume by saying "backs" we mean "running backs." Not the case. Backs are simply team A players who are not lineman and meet the requirements of a back. Many assume by saying "lineman" we mean the offensive center, guards, or tackles. Again, not so. Lineman are all players who satisfy the requirements of lining up on Team A's line-of-scrimmage.

When lined up legally, all team A players are either a lineman or a back. Lineman are eligible pass receivers if lined up on the end of the line and numbered 1-49 or 80-99. Lineman who are covered up (not ends) are ineligible pass receivers regardless of number. Backs are eligible if wearing 1-49 or 80-99. Backs wearing 50-79 are ineligible and MAY NOT "report to the Referee" as in the NFL.

[loveofficiating]

Thanks Kirby.
Can you have more than 5 lineman (numbers 50-79)?   If you have the five lineman, as specified, how many eligible receivers are allowed on the line of scrimmage? Could you have one tight end, and four receivers (all eligible) on the line?  If the player is wearing a number of 50-79, and lined up behind the QB, he is still considered a lineman and ineligible, right?

[Atlanta Blue]

This applies to non-kicking situations and I'll just say the same thing a couple different ways:

Team A must have AT LEAST 7 on the line.

Fixed it for you.

Otherwise, Kirby gave you a pretty good synopsis.

[Atlanta Blue]

Thanks Kirby.
Can you have more than 5 lineman (numbers 50-79)?   If you have the five lineman, as specified, how many eligible receivers are allowed on the line of scrimmage? Could you have one tight end, and four receivers (all eligible) on the line?  If the player is wearing a number of 50-79, and lined up behind the QB, he is still considered a lineman and ineligible, right?

Re-read Kirby's post.  You can have 10 linemen if you want, but a MAXIMUM of two of them are going to be eligible receivers.  They must be wearing eligible numbers (1-49 or 80-99) AND be on the end of the line.

How many "ends" of the line are there?  Two.  So no matter what numbers they are wearing, they aren't an  eligible lineman if they aren't on the end of the line.

If a player is wearing 50-79 and lines up in the backfield, he is a back.  But he is not an eligible receiver.  He may carry the ball, block for someone else, lay down and go to sleep, it doesn't matter.  He just can't go out for or legally catch a pass.

You are confusing "lineman" with someone wearing 50-79.  A lineman is defined by where he lines up, not by his number.  You also seem to be assuming that anyone with an eligible number is a receiver.  Also not true.  To be an eligible receiver, he must have an eligible number AND be an end or a back.

[loveofficiating]

This is helping me....a lot.  Thanks Atlanta.  I guess I have watched too much college and NFL.   If the receivers are eligible, and aren't on either end, but do have eligible numbers, then how far off the line do they need to be (flanker)?  Flankers are considered backs?  I am still reading the rules, but asking for reinforcement here...and thank you.   So if they are numbered to catch the ball, but not on the end....they are still ineligible, thus these are considered off? 
Thanks a heap for a rookie

[bossman72]

This is helping me....a lot.  Thanks Atlanta.  I guess I have watched too much college and NFL.   If the receivers are eligible, and aren't on either end, but do have eligible numbers, then how far off the line do they need to be (flanker)?  Flankers are considered backs?  I am still reading the rules, but asking for reinforcement here...and thank you.   So if they are numbered to catch the ball, but not on the end....they are still ineligible, thus these are considered off? 
Thanks a heap for a rookie

You are considered on the line if your head is breaking the plane of the center's belt line.  You are considered a back if you are not breaking the belt line of any other lineman.  Rule 2 definitions.

An exception would be a QB who takes the snap from under center.  Typically, his helmet does not break the plane of the center's belt line but still breaks the plane of another lineman's belt line.  This is called "no man's land".  If anyone other than the QB taking a hand to hand snap lines up in this manner, it is illegal.

So a flanker would have to be deeper than the waist line of the deepest lineman to be considered in the backfield.

[HLinNC]

Study your eligible #'s.  Draw you some formations out on paper and figure out your ends and backs.  Those are your eligibles (as long as they are wearing eligible numbers).  In HS football, at least NF rules, an ineligible number can never be an eligible receiver.  They can potentially line up in an eligible position.

Next study your keys from the officials manual.  Develop your pre-snap routine which if you are going to be a wing, should include identifying the end and tackle on your side and knowing their #.  Depending on your local mechanics, you and your opposite wing should be doing the same mental reps.  Some regions may not signal the nearest receiver as up on the line but all should at least signal off.  This will assist both of you knowing who is where.

Most experienced HS receivers will let you know if they are supposed to be up or back by pointing or telling you on or off.  Younger guys, eh not so much.

If the TE is covered, more than likely it is going to be a run.  If the slot lines up on the line and gets covered, odds are its a boo-boo.   Sometimes you can ask the outside guy near you if the slot is supposed to be covered.  That will normally spur him to communicate with the inside guy or shift back to fix it.

If you are watching college and NFL games, mute the sound and watch the officials.

[jg-me]

NCAA and NF have the same requirements as relates to eligible receivers.

[FBUmp]

If the receivers are eligible, and aren't on either end, but do have eligible numbers, then how far off the line do they need to be (flanker)?  Flankers are considered backs?

 

You won't find the work flanker in the rule book, so remove it from you vocabulary. There are linemen, ends and backs.

Only 7 players can be eligible when the ball is snapped. Assuming 7 players are on the LOS, 2 ends and 4 backs are eligible receivers. Obviously, they have to have eligible numbers.

So if they are numbered to catch the ball, but not on the end....they are still ineligible, thus these are considered off? 

No, on and off has nothing to do with your question.  If a lineman has an eligible number but is not on the end of the line, he is ineligible.

Off and on simply means the player is either on or off the LOS.

[loveofficiating]

Thanks HL, and may I ask a few questions from your post please?

What do you mean when you say that the TE is covered?  I keep hearing, even from my guys, covered, but don't understand it yet.   Does this mean that since he isn't on the end, he is covered up by the end?

What do you mean by "Some regions may not signal the nearest receiver as up on the line but all should at least signal off?"
Who is signaling?  Me, the linesman, I assume, to the receiver?

On my first day here, I have learned much!   Thanks.

[loveofficiating]

Thanks FB for helping me understand the off and on lingo.  That helps.
"Only 7 players can be eligible when the ball is snapped. Assuming 7 players are on the LOS, 2 ends and 5 backs are eligible receivers. Obviously, they have to have eligible numbers."

5 lineman, plus 2 eligible ends constitues the 7 on LOS.  That would leave 4 backs to be eligible receivers, right?

[Kalle]

A "covered" lineman is a lineman who is not at the end of the line, ie. there is another lineman, usually wearing an eligible number (a WR), further out. Normally only linemen wearing numbers 50-79 are covered.

Yes, in the normal lineup, you have five interior linemen (not eligible), two on the ends of the line (eligible if wearing an eligible number), and four backs (again eligible if wearing an eligible number).

[Atlanta Blue]

Only 7 players can be eligible when the ball is snapped. Assuming 7 players are on the LOS, 2 ends and 5 backs are eligible receivers. Obviously, they have to have eligible numbers.

May want to count those again! 

[HLinNC]

What do you mean when you say that the TE is covered?  I keep hearing, even from my guys, covered, but don't understand it yet.   Does this mean that since he isn't on the end, he is covered up by the end?

Exactly.  Keep in mind that shifts by backs and ends can cover or uncover a teammate.  Shifts can turn ends into backs, backs into ends, and either into interior linemen or vice-versa.

As to signals- Actually you are signaling your fellow wing official.  If the player is sharp enough to know what your signals mean, it makes him the better player, but you aren't doing it for him.

Being new is tough.  There is much to learn and you'll get a lot thrown at you.  Don't try to "eat the 72 oz. steak in one meal".  Read and re-read rule two, then read it again, and again.  Take the rulebook to the bathroom.  Also study whatever mechanics manual you use in your area.

[VALJ]

Players must be both eligible by number and by position. 

A player is eligible by number is he is wearing a number between 1-49, or between 80-99.  A player is eligible by position if he is:

* A back - lined up with no part of his body breaking the plane of an imaginary line drawn parallel to the line of scrimmage through the waist of the nearest teammate who is legally on the line (2-32-3); OR
* A lineman who is on the end of his line.  A lineman is one facing his opponent's goal line with the line of his shoulders approximately parallel to the line of scrimmage, and with his head or foot breaking an imaginary plane parallel to the line of scrimmage through the waist of the snapper. (2-32-9)

If the players are lined up:

81---------------------------75   72   66   51   79------------------------------87
          19                                                                     36
                                               7
                                                         34

All of the players except the 5 interior linemen are eligible receivers.  They are all eligible by number; 81 and 87 on the end of the line, while 19, 36, and 34 are all backs.

If instead they line up as


81-----------------------75   72   66   51   79   36------------------------87
          19                                                                   
                                               7
                                                         34

All 5 players are still eligible by number.  However, 36 is on the line of scrimmage, and 87 on the same side is on the line of scrimmage as well.  36 is "covered up" by 87 - he's not on the end of the line, so he is no longer an eligible receiver.   This formation is also perfectly legal - the rules say you must have AT LEAST 7 players on the line, but you can have more if you want.

Let's go one step further, as AB mentions:

81---------------------------75   72   66   51   79---------------------------87
          19                                                                     36
                                               7
                                                         58

81, 19, 36, and 87 are all eligible by both position, and by number.  58 would be eligible by position, but since he is wearing an ineligible number, he is not legally able to receive a forward pass.  There's nothing illegal about him being lined up in the backfield, and 58 can take a handoff, or block for the QB, or even receive a backwards pass all night long.  He can't receive a forward pass, though.

[FLAHL]

Welcome loveofficiating.  You'll find that all of us love it as well - that's why we're here. 

One more note about signals.  As NC said, you are signaling to your partner on the other wing whether the widest player on your side of the field is on the line of scrimmage (usually no signal) or in the backfield (the "punch back" signal).  If both wings understand that there is an illegal formation (less than 7 on the line of scrimmage, or 5 in the backfield) then both throw the flag for the foul.  If only one of you throw the flag, you're sure to hear a comment from the coaches behind you along the lines of "Your partner didn't seem to think that there was an illegal formation."

[ECILLJ]

  I keep hearing, even from my guys, covered, but don't understand it yet.   Does this mean that since he isn't on the end, he is covered up by the end?

This is a great question for us to discuss with our new officials in the coming weeks.
 Last year during a scrimmage game, we had a new official who asked, "What do you mean by the question, 'Was the end covered?' I don't understand how the receiver being covered by the defensive back concerns the formation."
Often times we make the wrong assumption the new officials understand our lingo.

[Atlanta Blue]

If the players are lined up:

81---------------------------75   72   66   51   79------------------------------87
          19                                                                     36
                                               7
                                                         34

All of the players except the 5 interior linemen are eligible receivers.  They are all eligible by number; 81 and 87 on the end of the line, while 19, 36, and 34 are all backs.

Just to add, #7 (the QB) is also an eligible receiver in this and the following formations.

[Magician]

Another time the phrase "Two On Two Off" is used is when counting players.  If I'm a LJ counting the defense and I know the previous play had 11 players, I might say "Two On Two Off" when I see 2 players leaving and 2 players replacing them.  As a U I may communicate that to the R if we've already checked off on 11 and the offense decides to do a late substitution.

[loveofficiating]

Got to tell you guys.....had my first scrimmage with 3 3A teams on Friday morning.....WOW.   I was there to shadow a senior official but since it was raining we had a couple of guys that didn't show up.  There were four of us that showed up and I got to try all positions (Ump, line judge, and back judge) except white cap.  Talk about trial by fire....I had one early whistle, missed my signs on the side several times.....but I love it

[FLAHL]

Congratulations!  My first live action was a similar situation. A few guys didn't show for a scrimmage, and I worked a wing on my own. I have no idea how many mistakes I made as I was happy to simply get out alive.  We all make mistakes, but early whistles are the worst ones. There's no reason to be in a hurry to blow your whistle. Make sure you see the ball, and make sure the runner is down. If you're not certain about both, don't blow the whistle. Good luck with your first season!

[HLinNC]

It is much better to be a little slow than too fast on the whistle.  As is said "See Leather!"

[FBUmp]

Thanks FB for helping me understand the off and on lingo.  That helps.
"Only 7 players can be eligible when the ball is snapped. Assuming 7 players are on the LOS, 2 ends and 5 backs are eligible receivers. Obviously, they have to have eligible numbers."

5 lineman, plus 2 eligible ends constitues the 7 on LOS.  That would leave 4 backs to be eligible receivers, right?

Yes, sorry for the typo.

[VALJ]

Good to hear!  As a recommendation - if you're assigned to observe games, bring your gear with you just in case.  You never know when someone gets into a car accident on their way to the game, or gets hurt, or something else arises.  If the situation come sup, you'll look like a star for being prepared, and get yourself onto the field as well!

I had one early whistle, missed my signs on the side several times.....but I love it

As my trainer said multiple times a night during our training sessions, "See the ball in the possession of the runner on the ground before blowing the whistle."