Numbering exception

[PABJNR]

I would think it has to do with restrictions on the Neutral zone starting , but I’ve wondered that as well.


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[bossman72]

How do we know who is using the numbering exception, so we know who is ineligible for that down?

Everyone's eligibility is determined by position on numbering exception formations.  Numbers essentially don't matter.

Eligibility is determined by everyone's position at the time the center puts his hands on the ball.  They are locked in as ineligible no matter where they end up shifting to.
You can also become ineligible by your initial position at the snap.

So in summary, once the numbering exception is established (center puts hands on the ball) you have to memorize the players that are lined up in ineligible positions at that time.  Then at the snap, you have to memorize all of the players that are lined up in ineligible positions at that time too.  Put those two sets of numbers together and all of those people are ineligible receivers for the down.

*Note: all of this only applies if you have less than 5 players numbered 50-79 on your line at the snap.  If you have 5 players, it's just regular football.*

[bama_stripes]

And all of this makes no sense to me. Why not just allow backs & ends with eligible numbers at the snap to be eligible?  That’s who the defense is used to covering anyway.

[bossman72]

And all of this makes no sense to me. Why not just allow backs & ends with eligible numbers at the snap to be eligible?  That’s who the defense is used to covering anyway.

So they don't shift around to confuse who is eligible and who isn't.  That's the whole point of why regular numbering is the way it is.

[CK51]

So they don't shift around to confuse who is eligible and who isn't.  That's the whole point of why regular numbering is the way it is.

I believe it's also why they now make a distinction between 4th down and other downs. It was in response to the school that was running the A11 offense.