Author Topic: Approximately Parallel vs Very Perpendicular  (Read 6044 times)

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Offline kid50

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Approximately Parallel vs Very Perpendicular
« on: September 28, 2014, 09:53:01 PM »
A few years ago, there was discussion about a playoff game where a team was trying to fool their opponent by acting confused.  The offensive wide receiver was on the line with his shoulders/feet turned 90 degrees to the line of scrimmage.  The ball was snapped and the receiver ended up scoring.  Discussion was that the officials should have flagged the formation.

On a PAT at a recent JV contest, the snapper (who was also on the end of the line) lined up exactly 90 degrees to the LOS while his team was in the swinging gate.  He snapped the ball to an upback across the field who scored. 

Locally, our agreement is that a lineman cannot line up 90 degrees to the LOS as, by definition, he is no longer a lineman (2.27.4.a.2).  However, a specific foul remains elusive.  Some say that the turned shoulders that are not "approximately parallel" are illegal.  Others say that, since this was the snapper, there is no way to establish the other linemen (waist of snapper).  And yet others say that, the lineman becomes a back since he, by definition, is not a lineman which may result in five in the backfield.

Thoughts?  Anyone remember the playoff formation and what should have been flagged?

Offline mishatx

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Re: Approximately Parallel vs Very Perpendicular
« Reply #1 on: September 28, 2014, 10:27:40 PM »
This is an illegal formation foul.

Quote from: 7-1-a-2
a. Formation. At the snap Team A must be in a formation that meets these
requirements:

2. All players must be either linemen or backs (Rule 2-27-4).

Quote from: 2-27-4
ARTICLE 4. a. Lineman.
1. A lineman is any Team A player legally on his scrimmage line (Rule
2-21-2).
2. A Team A player is on his scrimmage line when he faces his opponent’s
goal line with the line of his shoulders approximately parallel thereto and
either (a) he is the snapper (Rule 2-27-8) or (b) his head breaks the plane
of the line drawn through the waistline of the snapper.

d. Back.
1. A back is any Team A player who is not a lineman and whose head or
shoulder does not break the plane of the line drawn through the waistline
of the nearest Team A lineman.
2. A back is also the player in position to receive a hand-to-hand snap.
3. A lineman becomes a back before the snap when he moves to a position
as a back and stops.

Just being "not a lineman" is not adequate to be a "back". 

Offline TXMike

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Re: Approximately Parallel vs Very Perpendicular
« Reply #2 on: September 28, 2014, 11:12:46 PM »
Foul is illegal formation.  Live bAll foul. 

Offline TXMike

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« Last Edit: September 28, 2014, 11:23:32 PM by TXMike »