Does IS get upgraded to IP or something else on this play?

[NVFOA_Ump]

A is ready to snap as A18 steps on the field from his team sideline at the A-40.  He immediately lines up on the LOS well outside the nines.  B does not see or cover A18 and the A formation has tripps to the opposite side.  At the snap, A QB looks toward the tripps side then while still in the pocket turns and throws a long TD pass to an uncovered A18 streaking down the sideline.  Is this:

1. Simple Illegal Substitution
2. Illegal Touching since by definition A18 is not a player
3. Illegal Forward Pass since by definition A18 is not a player
4. Illegal Participation since by definition A18 is not a player
5. Unsportsmanlike Conduct since it looks and feels like a planned hideout play

What's the "most acceptable" call here?

[Delta51]

I've got Illegal Formation, then when he participates it moves to Illegal Participation.

[ncwingman]

I'm having problems saying he's not a player by definition.

A substitute becomes a player when he enters the field and communicates with a teammate or a game official, enters the
huddle, is positioned in a formation or participates in the play.

Not being in the 9-yard marks makes it an illegal formation, but the rule doesn't state the formation must be legal for the substitute to become a player.

Illegal participation includes "use a player, replaced player, substitute, coach, athletic trainer or other attendant in a substitution or pretended substitution to deceive opponents at or immediately before the snap or free kick." That's the rule I'm quoting if the coach asks.

[lawdog]

Its a hideout play.  SHut it down and give them the 15 yd USC for calling it. 

[bossman72]

If you think it's a hideout play, then it's 15 yards UNS.

If not, then it's a 5 yard illegal formation penalty.

[Ralph Damren]

IMHO, it smells like a hideout as this couldn't happen by accident. Shut the play down, USC on head coach and replace any time that ran off during the play - this will help those that care to understand that what they just saw was an 'optical illusion'. 

I would like to think that plays such as this would be brought up by the cioach in pre-game. That's the time to kill it   > >

[bama_stripes]

I would like to think that plays such as this would be brought up by the cioach in pre-game. That's the time to kill it   > >

Not to hijack the thread, but my recent experience is that coaches rarely tell us about their “trick” plays in pregame anymore.  Maybe they’re so paranoid that they think we’re going to tip off the opposing team when we talk to them.

[Ralph Damren]

Not to hijack the thread, but my recent experience is that coaches rarely tell us about their “trick” plays in pregame anymore.  Maybe they’re so paranoid that they think we’re going to tip off the opposing team when we talk to them.

You reminded me of a 'happening' several years ago that I felt you guys might get a chuckle out of....

SCENE: Faraway school on only a two-lane road. Accident ahead caused us to arrive @ 6:45 for a 7:00 game....../

ACT I : Rushed to the field, obtaining lists of captains, legal equipment, balls & UNSUSAL PLAYS.

ACT II : One coach stated :"We've 8 man line and shift to uncover TE on punts ."

ACT III : I responded : "AYUH, 'SPECT SO"... and rushed to begin game.

ACT IV:  During the first half, visions of 7-2-5 E-2 began dancing thru my brain. I had approved an illegal act 

ACT V : At halftime, i approached the home coach to give him the bad news about his trick play (it hadn't been used yet).

ACT VI: His response was : "Gee, that not our trick play  , it must be theirs. Thanks for telling us about it, though  ".

ACT VIII : Corrected visiting coach on my 

EPILOGUE: WHEN YOU ARE IN A HURRY, THINGS CAN HAPPEN THAT ARE NOT ALWAYS GOOD...

 

[Fatso]

 "Gee, that not our trick play  , it must be theirs. Thanks for telling us about it, though  ".

 

[GoodScout]

Not to hijack the thread, but my recent experience is that coaches rarely tell us about their “trick” plays in pregame anymore.  Maybe they’re so paranoid that they think we’re going to tip off the opposing team when we talk to them.

No, they're hoping we'll be as surprised and bewildered as the defense and not call it.

That said, I had a coach this season describe his trick play to me and it was nothing more than the classic "wrong ball coach" play. You'd think they'd all know this was a no-no, but to be fair, it was his first year as HC.

[Delta51]

Where are you getting the USC? 9-6-4d is Illegal Participation

[NVFOA_Ump]

Where are you getting the USC? 9-6-4d is Illegal Participation

Would be 9-9-1 or 9-9-5