Covered Receiver

[TampaSteve]

having a foggy day fellas.
the concept of covered receivers applies to all passes, and not just passes beyond the LOS - right?

[Fatso]

As far as IDP?  Pass must cross the LOS for IDP to be possible.

[Brian26]

having a foggy day fellas.
the concept of covered receivers applies to all passes, and not just passes beyond the LOS - right?

If you are talking about a covered reciever as in tight end being covered by wide reciver on the line of scrimage making the tight ineligible this does not apply with passes behind the LOS.

[ElvisLives]

Isn't eligibility to touch a forward pass affected by position as well as number? Are not interior linemen, regardless of number, ineligible to touch a forward pass, whether behind or beyond the Neutral Zone?

[Brian26]

Isn't eligibility to touch a forward pass affected by position as well as number? Are not interior linemen, regardless of number, ineligible to touch a forward pass, whether behind or beyond the Neutral Zone?

I assumed his refernce to "recievers and covered"  being eligible by number but being covered up on the outside, not an interior lineman.

[KDJBBBJ]

If he is covered and therefore an ineligible receiver, he cannot intentionally touch a forward pass behind or in front of the line of scrimmage.

[sj]

Here's an example. It's from an NCAA game and was featured on a training video where Mr. Shaw explained that this was a foul. But it would be the same ruling for illegal touching in NF. Tight end is covered and catches a forward pass behind the LOS.

https://youtu.be/His2ISLrzBM?t=5568

[ElvisLives]

I assumed his refernce to "recievers and covered"  being eligible by number but being covered up on the outside, not an interior lineman.

Correct me if I am wrong, but, if he is "covered," then he is on the line, but has at least one fellow lineman (by definition) outside of him, even if he is spread wide, and the covering player(s) is/are spread wider than him. This has nothing to do with numbers - strictly position. On the line and between the ends = ineligible. On the end of the line with a number 50-79 = ineligible. On the end of the line and wearing a number other than 50-79 = eligible.
I realize that the bigger question may be: Are these guys on the line or in the backfield? Yeah, that is a mess, these days. Who are on the line? Who are in the backfield? Who are supposed to be in the backfield, but are up in the line, wearing an eligible number, but covered by an end?
This is an issue that necessitates preventive officiating in the first few minutes of the game. With each team's first possession, work to get the linemen on the line, and the backs in the backfield. After a warning to an ambiguous player and his head coach (not just a position coach), flag 'em.

[Brian26]

Correct me if I am wrong, but, if he is "covered," then he is on the line, but has at least one fellow lineman (by definition) outside of him, even if he is spread wide, and the covering player(s) is/are spread wider than him. This has nothing to with numbers - strictly position. On the line and between the ends = ineligible. On the end of the line with a number 50-79 = ineligible. On the end of the line and wearing a number other than 50-79 = eligible.
I realize that the bigger question may be: Are these guys on the line or in the backfield? Yeah, that is a mess, these days. Who are on the line? Who are in the backfield? Who are supposed to be in the backfield, but are up in the line, wearing an eligible number, but covered by an end?
This is an issue that necessitates preventive officiating in the first few minutes of the game. With each team's first possession, work to get the linemen on the line, and the backs in the backfield. After a warning to an ambiguous player and his head coach (not just a position coach), flag 'em.

I stand corrected, you are right as well as KD.

Covered reciever cannot be the first to legally touch a forward pass anywhere.

[Ralph Damren]

having a foggy day fellas.
the concept of covered receivers applies to all passes, and not just passes beyond the LOS - right?

All forward passes...IF... (1) Slot back is on the LOS, covered by TE.
                                    (2) Slot back retreats into backfield and catches/touches forward screen pass.
                                    (3) He's an IR and  for IT, if the pass is overthrown and untouched by him = , but possible IG if no eligibles in area.

[NVFOA_Ump]

All forward passes...IF... (1) Slot back is on the LOS, covered by TE.
                                    (2) Slot back retreats into backfield and catches/touches forward screen pass.
                                    (3) He's an IR and  for IT, if the pass is overthrown and untouched by him = , but possible IG if no eligibles in area.

But if that covered slot back takes off downfield and TE steps back and catches a delayed screen behind the NZ then we have nothing.  Have seen teams do this, I believe intentionally to confuse team B pass coverage.

[Ralph Damren]

But if that covered slot back takes off downfield and TE steps back and catches a delayed screen behind the NZ then we have nothing.  Have seen teams do this, I believe intentionally to confuse team B pass coverage.

CORRECT