momentarily within 9 yd marks

[dch]

I know what the Rules Book says --- but how do you and/or your association handle offensive players not being momentarily within the 9 yd marks sometime between the ready whistle and the snap?  Especially the very popular "no huddle" and hurry-up offenses?

[bulldogs1msu]

If no advantage gained, leave it alone.  I called this one time many years ago and the coach let me have it.  Lesson learned

[yarnnelg]

If the player is covered leave it alone.

[Atlanta Blue]

As a coach, I have a slightly different take.

1.  If they are doing it intentionally to try to hide a wideout, flag it.

2.  Technically, it's not the action of the defense that makes or not makes it a foul.  But if the wideout gets covered by the defense (without having to be disadvantaged by rushing into position), no need for a flag, but after the play, "remind" the coach the player needs to be inside the numbers after the RFP.  Here's why: later in the game, that player is going to do the same thing, and the defense won't see him, and now you have to flag it.  If you didn't say something earlier, you aren't going to look very good flagging this one, when you did nothing before.

So even if the first one doesn't deserve a flag, "protect" your right to call it later with a friendly reminder to get it right.

[bulldogs1msu]

if its a hideout play, I am going to flag it every time.  That is gaining an advantage.  Reminding the coach that every one has to be inside the 9 yard mark after the ready is just good preventive officiating.  Thanks Atlanta Blue

[AlUpstateNY]

As a coach, I have a slightly different take.

1.  If they are doing it intentionally to try to hide a wideout, flag it.

2.  Technically, it's not the action of the defense that makes or not makes it a foul.  But if the wideout gets covered by the defense (without having to be disadvantaged by rushing into position), no need for a flag, but after the play, "remind" the coach the player needs to be inside the numbers after the RFP.  Here's why: later in the game, that player is going to do the same thing, and the defense won't see him, and now you have to flag it.  If you didn't say something earlier, you aren't going to look very good flagging this one, when you did nothing before.

So even if the first one doesn't deserve a flag, "protect" your right to call it later with a friendly reminder to get it right. 

Agreed, "Preventive Officiating", although sometimes not appreciated for the value it provides in avoiding unnecessary mistakes and/or consequences, is a valuable and practical service officials routinely provide to both teams to assist a contest ir running smoother.

Deliberate and intentional efforts to gain an unfair advantage is a completely different situation, and should be handled exactly according to rule.

[Jim D]

Rather than ignoring it completely, I'll work with the wide out.  Usually, after a couple of discussions I can get them to somewhat follow the rule.  I don't get picky on it, and I agree with the above but I want them to comply.

I had a 4th and long  a few weeks ago where the gunner came out at set wide.  I didn't suspect anything, but I reminded him to get inside the numbers until the RFP.  He did, and then moved out and set wide after the whistle.  The defense never noticed him, but the punter did and threw a pass to him for a first down.

I don't think it was a planned play, but I'm really glad I made him get within the numbers.  I would have hated to have to throw a flag on a great play because I failed to do some very easy preventive officiating which made the play legal.

[dch]

I'm seeing a lot of no huddle teams that are trying to go really fast between plays.  The ball carriers jump up at the end of plays and run to the umpire, Hand them the ball and hustle to line-up for the next play.  The whole team is hustling to line up -- time between plays is minimal.  Wide-outs going directly to their positions before the ball is set and the ready whistle blown really reduces the time before the snap.  This seems not in keeping with what the rules makers intend.  Defenses have minimal time to sub between plays and officials have a tough time accomplishing their presnap duties. 
The rules used to require players to be momentarily within the hash marks.  Now it's the 9-yard marks.  Are the officials "ahead of the curve" again by going with "it's OK if the defense knows they're there" ?

[Atlanta Blue]

I'm seeing a lot of no huddle teams that are trying to go really fast between plays.  The ball carriers jump up at the end of plays and run to the umpire, Hand them the ball and hustle to line-up for the next play.  The whole team is hustling to line up -- time between plays is minimal.  Wide-outs going directly to their positions before the ball is set and the ready whistle blown really reduces the time before the snap.

While some teams may be true hurry up, many (like us) are simply no huddle.  There's a big difference.  We do jump up and get into position (or close to it), but then stop and look to the sideline for the play call, which is signaled in.  Shoot, we even got called for DOG the other night because our backup QB was brain dead and not paying attention like he should be.

This seems not in keeping with what the rules makers intend.

Not sure I agree with that.  You're sounding like Nick Satan now! 

Defenses have minimal time to sub between plays

True, we are forcing them to play at our pace.

and officials have a tough time accomplishing their presnap duties.

Not planned, that's a byproduct.  Officials are going to have to adjust as well.  I'm not saying they need to change their pace between plays, but they will need to change their pace between the RFP and the snap.
 

The rules used to require players to be momentarily within the hash marks.  Now it's the 9-yard marks.  Are the officials "ahead of the curve" again by going with "it's OK if the defense knows they're there" ?

It's seen as an "advantage/disadvantage" foul, such as holding.

But I do think warning them is a good idea so you can call it when it becomes an advantage.

[Jim D]

I'm seeing a lot of no huddle teams that are trying to go really fast between plays.  The ball carriers jump up at the end of plays and run to the umpire, Hand them the ball and hustle to line-up for the next play.  The whole team is hustling to line up -- time between plays is minimal.  Wide-outs going directly to their positions before the ball is set and the ready whistle blown really reduces the time before the snap. 

I don't see the issue here.  The first time this happens, tell the wide out that he can't come out and set before the RFP.  If he does it again, tell him again.  If it keeps happening (and I haven't had it happen yet) , flag it.  This is easy to fix so there is no reason to just be lazy and just let it go. It's like allowing the offense skip some of the many other little things they need to do properly before the snap.   

[Ralph Damren]

 SOME CALL IT "THE SPIRIT OF THE RULE".....

    SOME CALL IT "USE COMMON SENSE"........

     BUT WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT A GAME FULL OF NEEDLESS    IS NOT AN ENJOYABLE GAME TO WORK.......

If you see an obscure foul that gains no advantage and is seen by anyone else, 'tis a secret that ye' may want to keep to thy' self .

[Atlanta Blue]

If you see an obscure foul that gains no advantage and is seen by anyone else, 'tis a secret that ye' may want to keep to thy' self .

I somewhat disagree.  Keep the flag to yourself, but tell the violator what he did wrong.  Later, that same action WILL be an advantage, and then the flag will come as a complete surprise, along with a comment like, "Well, it wasn't a foul in the first quarter, why is it a foul in the fourth quarter?"

The only answer you have is, "Well, now the defense got fooled," and that isn't a good response.

[AlUpstateNY]

Once again, "Preventive Officiating", and although hard to believe, some sidelines actually complain about the practice when it's directed towards their opponent.