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College Football/No Huddle with 12 men on the field

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Expert: - 11/6/2007


Question
Can the offense no huddle, send 12 men to the line, offense is set, and the last minute send a running back off the field.  This totally confuses the defense.  The play can be found in the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ybdh8a48W0&eurl=http://www.tspnsports.com/forums...


Answer
Greg
Thank you for your question and the video link. This play is an example of an "illegal substitution".  

It violate Rule 3-5-2.  An incoming "legal" substitute must enter the field from his team area... A replaced player must "immediately" leave the field and the if the departing/replaced player leaves the huddle within in 3 seconds he is deemed to have left immediately.  Also it is an illegal substitution if the the departing player in excess of 11 while departing is still on the field when the ball is snapped or put into play.  The film does not show where the 12th player is at the snap (whether he is still on the field or in his team box).

In this play the Offense has 12 players on the field for more than 12 seconds.  So it is reasonable that the to replaced player did not immediately leave the field when the substitute came on to the field to be a participant.  You are correct they did not huddle but they were calling the play in a semi formation with 12 on the field and the 12th player was not making an immediate attempt to get off the field.  

The officials (Referee/Umpire) should have killed the play and not allowed the snap and penalized the Offense 5 yards for a dead ball substitution infraction.

I hope this explains the play you question.

Vic Winnek
NCAA Football Official

College Football

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Vic Winnek

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