A first and goal from the B 4yd line. B sends in a late sub. The replaced player leaves immediately and gets off of the field before the snap, but does not make it back to the team box (nowhere near) before the snap. Is this an illegal substitution?
No, this is not Illegal Subs ... 3-7-2 states the "replaced player" must go directly to his team box, it does not state he must be in the team box. Case Book 3.7.3B addresses the Original Post (leaving from the side) as well as the Modified Post (leaving from the back of the EZ).
3-7-2 . . . A player, replaced player or a substitute is
required to leave the field at the side on which his team box is located and go directly to his team box.
3.7.3 SITUATION B: It is first and 10 on B’s 12-yard line and substitute B12 comes onto the field to replace B2 and communicates with him. Prior to the ball becoming live:
(a) B2 leaves the field of play through the end zone and across B’s sideline without crossing the end line and continues toward his team box; or (b) B12, seeing that he will be unable to replace B2 before the ball is snapped, returns to his team box; or
(c) B2, seeing that he will not be able to reach the sideline before the ball is snapped, leaves the field through the end zone and remains to observe the play; or (d) B12 becomes confused and withdraws through the end zone across the end line and goes around the field to return to B’s team box.
RULING: In (a), the act is legal. In (b),
(c) and (d),
it is a non-player foul for illegal substitution. A player, replaced player or substitute is required to go directly to his team box. A substitute may not enter and withdraw in the same dead ball interval.
