IV'3 OFFENSIVE ALIGNMENTS

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• IV.3) OFFENSIVE ALIGNMENTS
• After the ready for play signal from the
  official and just prior to the snap, all
  offensive players are either on the line of
  scrimmage or in the backfield. Offensive players
  are considered in the backfield when any part of
  their body does not intersect with an imaginary
  line drawn parallel to the goal lines, from
  sideline to sideline, through the waist of the
  center.
• There shall be at least four offensive players on
  the line of scrimmage prior to the snap, three of
  which are down linemen. Offensive players may
  set in two, three, or four point stances. To be
  considered on the line of scrimmage, offensive
  players must be within one yard of the offensive
  line of scrimmage, with their bodies facing
  substantially forward.
• All offensive players except for the center are
  eligible receivers. If the quarterback receives
  a snap from shotgun, he is an eligible receiver.
  If the quarterback receives a hand-to-hand snap
  from under the center, he is an ineligible
  receiver. The two offensive guards must line up
  directly to the left and right of the center.
  All other offensive players may line up anywhere
  on the offensive side of the field, as long as
  one of them is on the line of scrimmage. With
  four men on the line of scrimmage, the lineman
  that is covered up by the fourth man on the line
  is not eligible to receive a pass. The man in
  motion cannot cover up someone on the line if he
  stays in motion (keeps his feet moving)if the
  man in forward motion keeps his feet moving, the
  player inside him is not covered up. If the man
  in motion stops, then he does cover up the
  offensive guard and anyone else between him and
  the center.

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• IV.3) OFFENSIVE ALIGNMENTS Cont.
• The eligible offensive players whether on the
  line of scrimmage or in the backfield must have
  an eligible receiver number. This includes the
  two offensive guards that may or may not be
  eligible receivers.
• Eligible receivers shall be numbers 1-49, 80-89
  and 90-99. Offensive guards with eligible
  receiver numbers shall be declared eligible for
  every snap, provided they are not covered up by
  the fourth man on the line of scrimmage. If they
  have an ineligible number (50-79), they may
  report to the Referee prior to lining up. The
  referee shall then report to the defensive team
  that the particular player is eligible to receive
  a pass.
• Ineligible receivers (CENTER) should be numbered
  50-79. The offensive center must wear a number
  from this list. Offensive guards wearing these
  numbers are ineligible receivers, unless they
  report to the Referee prior to lining up.

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• IV.3) OFFENSIVE ALIGNMENTS  Cont.
• No more than three backs, including the
  quarterback, may be in the offensive backfield at
  the snap. The offensive backfield is defined as
  the area behind the line of scrimmage and in
  between the outside foot of both offensive
  guards. All three players must be in a set
  position for at least one second prior to the
  snap. Failure to do so will result in a dead
  ball penalty. Penalty Illegal Motion 5
  yards. NOTE A man in motion from sideline to
  sideline is not considered as in the backfield
  during motion and can receive a hand off from the
  quarterback through the motion after the snap.
• On any pass play where the pass crosses the line
  of scrimmage before being caught, ineligible
  receivers may not be more than three yards
  downfield until the pass has crossed the line of
  scrimmage. Such restrictions end if the pass is
  deflected by a defensive player. Penalty
  Ineligible Man Downfield 5 yards

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• IV.2) DEFENSIVE ALIGNMENTS
• Positioning of Defensive Players
• After the ready to play by the official, all
  defensive players must be on their side of the
  line of scrimmage.
• Just prior to the snap, there must be at least
  three defensive players on the line of scrimmage
  aligned head-to-head or shoulder-to-shoulder with
  the down offensive linemen. In determining
  whether the defensive player has covered the
  offensive guard, the officials shall use the
  outside foot of the offensive guards with the
  inside foot of the defensive linemen for the
  alignment. The defensive lineman covering the
  offensive center must be head to head with the
  center. Defensive linemen may be in a 2, 3 or
  4-point stance.
• The two defensive linebackers must line up as
  according to LFZ rules.
• Between three and five defensive players (three
  defensive lineman and two defensive backs) may
  line up within five yards of the line of
  scrimmage, as per LFZ rules.

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• Positioning of Defensive Players Cont.
• Defensive linemen may drop into pass coverage
  only if the offensive lineman they are covering
  releases for a pass. They are not required,
  though, to drop into pass coverage in this
  situation.
• Defensive players may stunt whether or not it is
  an individual stunt or an intentional act
  involving two or more players. Individual twists
  and other defensive techniques are permitted.
• Defensive players may not contact the center on
  offense until he has resumed a football position
  after snapping the football. Such action is
  subject to penalty. Penalty Illegal Contact
  5 yards from previous spot, automatic first down.

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• IV.2 LINEBACKER-FREE ZONE (LFZ)
• Linebacker-Free Zone (LFZ)
• The Linebacker-Free Zone is designated as an area
  within five yards of the line of scrimmage. Its
  end points are the defensive line of scrimmage
  and an imaginary line five yards from the line of
  scrimmage. At least two defensive players must
  stay outside the LFZ. They are designated as
  linebackers.
• Two defensive backs can line up on the line of
  scrimmage, provided they do not line up behind or
  between the down defensive linemen. However, if
  an offensive player moves from one side of the
  line or the other before the snap, a defensive
  player may move with him. Linebackers are able
  to freely move anywhere, provided it is not
  inside the LFZ.
• In addition to the three down defensive linemen,
  two defensive backs can be on the line of
  scrimmage, but must be lined up face-to-face with
  an offensive player either on the line of
  scrimmage or in movement to or from the line of
  scrimmage. This offensive player cannot be an
  offensive lineman or the quarterback. If the
  offense has one receiver on the line of scrimmage
  (and two non-quarterbacks in the offensive
  backfield), the second defensive back can either
  line up with the first on the offensive player on
  the line of scrimmage or line up outside the
  LFZ. If the offense has a third receiver on the
  line of scrimmage in lieu of a running back for a
  particular scrimmage play, the defense is still
  constrained to having two non-linemen on the line
  of scrimmage. A defensive back can choose to
  either line up face-to-face with a receiver, or
  line up outside the LFZ.

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• Linebacker-Free Zone (LFZ) Cont.
• After the ball has been snapped from under
  center, the LFZ ceases to exist for that play.
• In addition to the three down linemen, one of the
  linebackers may blitz from anywhere outside of
  the LFZ. Entering the LFZ may not occur until
  after the ball has snapped from under center.
  The blitzer does not have to announce his
  eligibility to blitz, and may blitz from anywhere
  on the field, provided he did not start the play
  inside the LFZ.
• The LFZ is five yards in depth, unless the line
  of scrimmage is within 5 yards of the defensive
  teams goal line (i.e. the offense is inside the
  defenses 5-yard line). In that case, the goal
  line shall be the far end of the LFZ. The
  linebackers will be able to line up as far
  forward as the goal line. All other LFZ rules
  apply in the same manner.

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• IV.2a) SUMMARY/EXAMPLES OF RULES III.1 AND III.2
• Three (3) defensive linemen MUST be on the
  defensive line, aligned head to head or shoulder
  to shoulder with the offensive guards (must have
  at least the outside foot of the offensive guard
  aligned with the inside foot of the defensive
  end), and the defensive nose guard must be head
  to head with the offensive center.
• Defensive linemen may be in a 2, 3, or 4-point
  stance at the snap. They may also stand
  straight-up.
• Up to two (2) defensive non-linemen may line up
  anywhere on the defensive side of the field.
  They must line up face-to-face with an opposing
  offensive player. If there is only one offensive
  player on the line of scrimmage (and thus a
  quarterback and two running backs in the
  offensive backfield), the second defensive back
  can line up either with the first one opposite
  the offensive player on the line, or outside the
  LFZ. Defensive players cannot line up behind the
  defensive line unless they are outside the LFZ.
• At least two (2) defensive non-linemen must line
  up at least 5 yards from the line of scrimmage.
  They can line up anywhere beyond 5 yards, or
  anywhere from sideline to sideline, but must be
  at least 5 yards from the line of scrimmage.
• Defensive non-linemen are not required to align
  themselves with eligible offensive receivers,
  whether or not in motion.
• Inside their own 5-yard line, the LFZ rules shall
  be that at least two defensive non-linemen must
  line up inside their own goal line.

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• Blitzing
• No more than one defensive player may blitz
  during any one-scrimmage play. Such blitzing may
  only occur by any player that starts the snap
  outside the LFZ. This includes players that
  prior to a particular play lined up inside the
  LFZ. A defensive player is not required to
  announce his eligibility to blitz. There is no
  requirement that a defensive player has to blitz
  on a particular play.
• Blitzing can start from anywhere outside the LFZ,
  and does not have to be between the defensive
  linemen.
• If a non-lineman inside the LFZ blitzes, or more
  than one player blitzes, the defense is subject
  to penalty. Penalty Illegal Blitz 5 yards
  from previous spot, automatic first down.

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The Pocket
Umpire
Neutral Zone
Neutral Zone
11
Umpire
Linebacker Free Zone (LFZ)
Neutral Zone
Neutral Zone
12
Umpire
Linebacker Free Zone (LFZ)
Neutral Zone
Neutral Zone
13
Umpire
Linebacker Free Zone (LFZ)
Neutral Zone
Neutral Zone
14
Umpire
Linebacker Free Zone (LFZ)
Neutral Zone
Neutral Zone
15
Umpire
Linebacker Free Zone (LFZ)
Neutral Zone
Neutral Zone
16
Umpire
Linebacker Free Zone (LFZ)
Neutral Zone
Neutral Zone
17
Umpire
Linebacker Free Zone (LFZ)
Neutral Zone
Neutral Zone
18
Umpire
Linebacker Free Zone (LFZ)
Neutral Zone
Neutral Zone
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Umpire
Linebacker Free Zone (LFZ)
Goal Line
Neutral Zone
Neutral Zone