Is the snapper ever eligble?

[Doctorref]

This is causing alot of controversy in my area in the state of Iowa. I read the existing thread about the numbering exception from Feb. on page 5, but see no answer about snapper being eligible. If he is in as a exchange for a lineman it sounds like he must be covered making him ineligible. Can he be in as an eligible number and still have 5 linemen 50-79, so if he is then at the end of the line he would be eligible?

[CalhounLJ]

Short answer is yes. A player on the end of the line wearing an eligible number is eligible to catch a pass. That player can also snap the ball. As long as the team is not using the numbering exception.


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[Ralph Damren]

Welcome, Doctorref, to our forum. May you find it both enjoyable and informative. Below is a real life example of that occurring. Their coach explained it to the officials in pre-game so they would be ready. They were!

[NVFOA_Ump]

Short answer is yes. A player on the end of the line wearing an eligible number is eligible to catch a pass. That player can also snap the ball. As long as the team is not using the numbering exception.
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Wouldn't this formation leave the snapper (#81 on the left end) as an eligible receiver?

81  82 83 84 85 86 87

"Interior linemen" 82 thru 86 are all numbering exceptions and since snapper 81 is an eligible number and not one of the interior linemen isn't he an eligible receiver?

[CalhounLJ]

Wouldn't this formation leave the snapper (#81 on the left end) as an eligible receiver?

81  82 83 84 85 86 87

"Interior linemen" 82 thru 86 are all numbering exceptions and since snapper 81 is an eligible number and not one of the interior linemen isn't he an eligible receiver?

Yes, but he can't be the snapper because they are using the numbering exception. A snapper in the game while the team is using the numbering exception must take an initial position inside the ends and remains ineligible throughout the down.

[CalhounLJ]

EXCEPTIONS:
1. On first, second or third down, when A sets or shifts into a scrimmage-kick formation as in 2-14-2a, the snapper may be a player numbered 1 to 49 or 80 to 99. If Team A has the snapper in the game under this exception, Team A shall have four players wearing numbers 50-79 on its line of scrimmage. The snapper in the game under this exception must be between the ends and is an ineligible forward-pass receiver during that down unless the pass is touched by B (7-5-6b).

2. On fourth down or during a kick try, when A sets or shifts into a scrimmage-kick formation, any A player numbered 1 to 49 or 80 to 99 may take the position of any A player numbered 50 to 79. A player in the game under this exception must assume an initial position on his line of scrimmage between the ends and he remains an ineligible forward-pass receiver during that down unless the pass is touched by B (7-5-6b).

[NVFOA_Ump]

Doesn't only Exception 2 apply on 4th down, and Exception 2 does not mention "snapper"? There are 5 numbering exceptions but 81 is not one of them, "interior linemen" 82 thru 86 are all numbering exceptions and each is as required " .... on his line of scrimmage between the ends", Isn't 81 simply both the snapper and the eligible left end here?

I agree that for 1st thru 3rd downs Exception 1 applies.

[CalhounLJ]

Yes you are correct. I went back and reread the old post from this board on the topic. I was mistaken in saying that on 4th down using the numbering exception the snapper must be between the ends. That is incorrect. I have reposted the old thread for anyone who wants to read it.
thanks for the correction

[Ralph Damren]

Doesn't only Exception 2 apply on 4th down, and Exception 2 does not mention "snapper"? There are 5 numbering exceptions but 81 is not one of them, "interior linemen" 82 thru 86 are all numbering exceptions and each is as required " .... on his line of scrimmage between the ends", Isn't 81 simply both the snapper and the eligible left end here?

I agree that for 1st thru 3rd downs Exception 1 applies.

These restrictions were put in to prevent a loophole in the numbering rule that allowed some creative (some may have other descriptive adjectives) coaches from using in the numbering rule scrimmage kick exception in non-scrimmage kick plays. At our national meeting there was 6 separate proposals to tweak the rules to prevent this. I proposed the NCAA rule, that simply said:
The numbering exception can only be used in scrimmage kick situations. I guess that was too simple, as it didn't make it our of sub-committee. The rule that passed is complex, briefly it states : The snapper, on downs 1-3 is doesn't need a lineman's number BUT can't be on the end of the line or be an eligible receiver. On 4th down , IF USING THE NUMBERING EXCEPTION, can't be on the end of the line or an eligible receiver.

IF they are NOT using the numbering exception AND the snapper is on the end of the line , with an eligible number, he becomes an eligible receiver. Hope this helps to clarify a complex rule.

[Doctorref]

Thanks for all the responses. We have been told it is legal, but never explained why. Makes sense now. I can see with a website like this I will spend alot of time reading. After observing from the sidelines for years and then taking up officiating 10 years ago I have worked hard to know and understand the rules and this site will be extremely beneficial.

[ncwingman]

I know this is an academic question because it's unlikely to ever actually happen, but I feel the *intent* of exception 1 was to allow the long snapper with an eligible number to replace an interior lineman, but his presence (on 1st-3rd down) does not invoke the numbering exception automatically -- only if he's replacing a player with an ineligible number.

Therefore, the formation that will never happen on 3rd down:

81 62 63 64 65 66 87 on the line with 81 as the snapper, and a punter 10 yards in the backfield behind 81.

Is 81 actually in the game under the numbering exception? There are still 5 ineligibly numbered players on the LOS between the ends, so 81 is not replacing any of them.

[HLinNC]

Is 81 actually in the game under the numbering exception?

Nope, for as you said, he isn't between the ends and they have 5 numbered 50-79.  The exception isn't being utilized.  They are just in a scrimmage kick formation with a player 10 yards back to receive a snap.  Nothing about SKF of itself locks A/K into the snapper NOT being an end.

I wouldn't go so far as to say one would never see it.  A could throw that formation out there on a 3rd down to see how B reacts, forcing B to burn a timeout or try to shift coverage or catch them napping. 

[BIG UMP]

Don't confuse exception 1 and exception 2 and surely don't try to combine the two.

1-3 down the snapper must be between the ends.
4 down that is not the case so therefore the end can snap the ball and be an eligible receiver. Numbering exception or not.

[NVFOA_Ump]

Don't confuse exception 1 and exception 2 and surely don't try to combine the two.

1-3 down the snapper must be between the ends.
4 down that is not the case so therefore the end can snap the ball and be an eligible receiver. Numbering exception or not.

1-3 down the snapper must be between the ends if the snapper is a numbering exception.