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College Football/Div 1 College Football Substitution Rules

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Expert: - 4/5/2008


Question
What year did the NCAA require players to play both offense and defense? What changes and in what years thereafter was a partial substitution allowed? What year was unlimited substitution returned? Thanks.

Answer
GARY
HOPE THIS INFORMATION WAS HELPFUL.  IF THERE IS ANYOTHER INFORMATION I CAN ASSIST YOU WITH PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME.
BEST REGARDS
Victor Winnek
NCAA Football Official

Gary,
The NCAA did not rquireplayers to play both offense and defense - first there was no rule that stated players had to play both (the substitution rule made it a practice) second the NCAA was not in existence at the time of these rules.  It was about 1882 when a team could finish with 11 players (replacements were allowed).  In 1876 there were provisions for a substitute but if a player was injured or ejected the team could not replace him.  

1869--Each team consisted of 25 players.
1873--20 players to a team.
1876--15 players to a team.
1880--11 players to a team.
1910--Seven players required on line.


SUBSTITUTION RULES:

1876--Fifteen players to a team and limited substitutions if any.
1882--Replacements for disqualified or injured players.
1897--Substitutes may enter game at any time at discretion of captains.
1922--Players withdrawn during the first half may not return until the second half. Players withdrawn during the second half may not return to the game.
1941--Players may substitute at any time but may not be withdrawn or the outgoing player returned until at least one play has intervened.
          
1948--Unlimited substitution on change of team possession. ["Platoon" football made possible. Something learned from WWII]
1953--Two-platoon abolished and players allowed to enter game only once in each quarter
1954-64--Changes each year toward more liberalized substitution and platoon football.
1965--Platoon football returns.  Unlimited substitutions between periods and after a score.
1974--Substitutes must be in for one play and replaced players out for one play.
1993--Players who are bleeding or whose uniforms are saturated with blood must come out of the game until their return has been approved by medical personnel.

There were additional substitution rules but they do not apply to your question.  They pertain to how substitutes and players enter the game/huddle and how they leave so as to avoid an intent to deceive.

Hope this helps.
Victor Winnek
NCAA Football Official

College Football

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Will Answer all queries RE: Rules of Football - NCAA & Federation; Officiating; Instruction on Football; Mechanics & application of rules; Setting up Instructional programs and clinics for: Officials, coaches and media; Liability Issues (Legal & Insurance questions)arising from coaching, playing, refereeing, product liability. Serve as an Consultant and Expert Witness in Football Related Matters in Tort and Contract (Standard of Care for: officials, coaches, players, assignors, BOD; Player, equipment, field & stadium Safety; Fee issues, independant contractor workers compensation. History of the College football game -its evolution. MY PURPOSE IS TO INFORM & EDUCATE FANS, MEDIA, THOSE INTERESTED IN FOOTBALL ABOUT: THE RULES, THEIR APPLICATION, PHILOSOPHIES; OFFICIATING; LEGAL ISSUES INVOLVING FOOTBALL. I WILL NOT RESPOND TO BASHING OF TEAMS, COACHES OR OFFICIALS. I will not dignify rude or disparaging comments with a response, nor entertain questions that use profanity or questions that suggest Football officials are corupt, such an insinuation is ridiculous and ludicrous.

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24 years officiating High School & College football, NCAA Referee, Umpire, Back Judge & Line Judge 2 years Arena Football-substitution official Instructor of NCAA & Federation Officials, Played prep and college football; coached High School football; Athletic trainer; 23 years of instruction in Officiating Football

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Past President of Calif. Football Officials Assoc; Western Collegiate Football Officials Assoc.; CFOA-Long Beach Unit Board of Directors CFOA-South Bay Unit & Long Beach Unit, Pres. Executive Council of Calif. Football Officials Assoc.; CIF Presidents' Council on Officiating; Chairman Ethics Committee

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Referee Magazine; California Football Officials Assoc. Instructor's Guide; NACC Div. 1-AA football officials' clinic; CFOA instrutional materials; Articles written: Line of Scrimmage mechanics, Forward Progress, Side Line Warnings, 2006 NCAA New Timing Rules; various instructional materials, UWLA Law Review

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NCAA Div. 1 FCS & Div. III, 9 post season Bowl Games, play-offs, CIF Div. 1,2,3,5,8,9,10,12 Final, 10 years CIF Semi-finals, 19 years of CIF play-offs, California State High School Football Div. 1 Championship, Southern California Jr. College Championship, NCAA Div. III Semi-Final

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