Numbers 50 to 79 - Start of Game

During a season it may become difficult for teams to put the correct player numbers in the ineligible positions. This is a clear breach of the rules as there must be at least 5 players numbered 50 to 79 on the LOS. SAGOA has allowed at times 1 player to wear an eligible number in an ineligible position but over the past few weeks having 3 or 4 eligible numbers in ineligible positions makes it very hard for officials to determine for ineligibles down field. If you have injured linemen being replaced by previous eligible numbered players then please use the spare jersey so that your team is playing within the rules. (Rule 1 Section 4 Article 2b)

After the Christmas/New Years break the officials will be penalising this from the start of the game if teams start the game playing eligible numbers in ineligible positions. If injuries occur during the game then it is courteous to let the officials know that this has happened so that we can adjudicate the game according to the rules on ineligible players by position.

Please check that your team matches this rule at the beginning of a game and let the officials know if it changes during the game.

Grant Martin