Line of Scimmage Eligible players

When it really matters in the heat of battle offensive players must know where they stand to be eligible to go down for a pass. Over the past 4 years SAGOA has worked diligently with players and coaches to ensure that this procedure is not one where a player fouls so that a formation is as legal as possible. Officials in SAGOA are trained to help the wideouts as much as possible to get the play underway, but they are not there to ensure that players are lined up in the correct positions to be eligible downfield.
A good marking point for a wideout who is off the LOS is to mark 2 yards off the LOS. This will put him clearly in the backfield if that is where he needs to be. If he is just inside that 2 yards the official may give him a chatting 2 as a reminder to be clearly on or off the LOS. Anything in between does not match the rule of clearly on or off the LOS. Only the QB is allowed to be in no mans land under the centre.
From our document on philosophies "Officials will work to keep offensive linemen legal and will call only when obvious or where repeated warnings are ignored. "

This occurred in the second game at a crucial time when players need to take extra care in their alignment.

Another area to watch is numbering of players. The rules clearly state numbers 50 to 79 cannot become eligible by position. These numbers are ineligible at all times.

Grant Martin