Author Topic: Scrimmage Kicks and 2x2  (Read 206 times)

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Offline jra104

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Scrimmage Kicks and 2x2
« on: September 08, 2026, 04:18:18 PM »
Just to make sure... with this 2x2 rule, we are still legal to run old-school gate plays.
Such as

   Y TGGT        C        Z
A       X
                      Q  R

Offline ElvisLives

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Re: Scrimmage Kicks and 2x2
« Reply #1 on: September 08, 2026, 04:42:53 PM »
Just to make sure... with this 2x2 rule, we are still legal to run old-school gate plays.
Such as

   Y TGGT        C        Z
A       X
                      Q  R

The legality of this formation is totally dependent on the player numbering. The positioning is legal, in, and of, itself. But, by rule, this is NOT a scrimmage kick formation (SKF), because it is not obvious a kick will be made. But, since it is not a (SKF), 1) they are not allowed to have numbering exceptions (so a “2X2” would be illegal and useless), and 2) the snapper does not have the protections he has in a SKF. So, they must have 5 linemen numbered 50-79 (they don’t all have to be ‘interior,’ but any interior lineman, regardless of number, is ineligible). Team B is NOT prohibited from aligning a player directly over the snapper (regardless of his number), and they do NOT have to wait at least one second after the snap to initiate contact on the snapper.



Offline jra104

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Re: Scrimmage Kicks and 2x2
« Reply #2 on: September 08, 2026, 05:01:15 PM »
Right... My head coach getting nervous about any strange formations.  How about this one for a punt, We have 5 ineligible numbers with 78 the center and want to throw a pass to 80 where the K runs right to 98, 98 gets a handoff behind the K, and 98 throws a pass to 80.  We will not send the ineligibles down field.  Only 87, 80, and 10 will run pass routes. 

                                        X
                                  80 78  64  52  74  55                       98
          87                                                    10


                                            15
                                          K

Offline ElvisLives

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Re: Scrimmage Kicks and 2x2
« Reply #3 on: September 08, 2026, 05:11:12 PM »
[quote author=jra104 link=topic=17799.msg178669#msg178669 date=1788904875]
Right... My head coach getting nervous about any strange formations.  How about this one for a punt, We have 5 ineligible numbers with 78 the center and want to throw a pass to 80 where the K runs right to 98, 98 gets a handoff behind the K, and 98 throws a pass to 80.  We will not send the ineligibles down field.  Only 87, 80, and 10 will run pass routes. 

                                        X
                                  80 78  64  52  74  55                       98
          87                                                    10


                                            15
                                          K
[/quote]

Well, on the assumption that 15 and K are both at least 7-yards behind the NZ at the snap, with 15 in a potential ‘holder’ posture (i.e., on his knee), this WOULD qualify as a scrimmage kick formation, even with 87 and 98 spread wide. So, 78 has snapper protections. Faking the kick and handing to 98 is all legal, and throwing a pass to 80 is legal.

Strictly a opinionated observation, but I have my doubts about the success of this play. The defense simply has too many openings to rush into the backfield. Best of luck!

CORRECTION
Oh, you said a punt. In that case 15 can be wherever he wants as long as he isn’t in the width of the frame of the snapper’s body at the snap, or in a direct line between the snapper and the kicker. And he certainly does not have to be
in a holder posture. The kicker must be at least 10 yards behind the neutral zone, at the snap. All of this to make the formation qualify as a SKF, to give the snapper his protections.
Sorry about the misunderstanding.
As Kalle said, any time you have at least 5 linemen numbered 50-79, and no more than 4 players in the backfield, you can be in whatever formation you want. But, only a true SKF gives the snapper his protections.
« Last Edit: September 08, 2026, 11:59:24 PM by ElvisLives »

Online Kalle

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Re: Scrimmage Kicks and 2x2
« Reply #4 on: September 08, 2026, 11:21:12 PM »
When considering odd formations on a fourth down just remember that 2x2 only applies if there are numbering exceptions. If team A has five linemen wearing numbers 50-79, nothing changed from last year.