Rule Change Proposal: Ineligible Man Downfield Decreased to One Yard

RTR91 · Feb 11, 2015

@ralphDrussoAP One interesting rule change proposal: Inelligible man downfield moved from 3 yards to 1 yard.

NCAA announcement

The ineligible downfield rule was adjusted from three yards to one yard past the line of scrimmage. To be legal, a lineman who is more than one yard past the line of scrimmage must be engaged with a defensive player when a pass is released.

CrimsonForce · Feb 11, 2015

RTR91 said:
@ralphDrussoAP One interesting rule change proposal: Inelligible man downfield moved from 3 yards to 1 yard.

NCAA announcement

This should slow down some of the HUNH shenanigans..

Bodhisattva · Feb 11, 2015

The problem with the old rule was enforcement. Can we hope that the new rule will be enforced?

Now if the refs would stop sprinting to re-set the ball before the chain gang is ready ....

Alasippi · Feb 11, 2015

This will kill Auburn's offense if they're offensive linemen aren't allowed to block safeties on pass plays in the final minute of a game. (Blue Font)

Bama Czar · Feb 11, 2015

CrimsonForce said:
This should slow down some of the HUNH shenanigans..

It would be more likely to harm teams that run a read-option/spread offense, than harm one that simply snaps the ball quickly as a gimmick.

RTR91 · Feb 11, 2015

Bodhisattva said:
The problem with the old rule was enforcement. Can we hope that the new rule will be enforced?

Now if the refs would stop sprinting to re-set the ball before the chain gang is ready ....

But the enforcement should be easier considering it's only going to be a yard instead of three. Of course, this is all assuming the rule is passed.

scrodz · Feb 11, 2015

I can hear Malzahn crying all the way down here in Florida...

Bama Czar · Feb 11, 2015

RTR91 said:
But the enforcement should be easier considering it's only going to be a yard instead of three. Of course, this is all assuming the rule is passed.

Sometimes I wonder, why not just simply make it the actual line-of-scrimmage??

jthomas666 · Feb 11, 2015

Bama Czar said:
It would be more likely to harm teams that run a read-option/spread offense, than harm one that simply snaps the ball quickly as a gimmick.

It would also hurt offenses that run a lot of screens...

RTR91 · Feb 11, 2015

Bama Czar said:
Sometimes I wonder, why not just simply make it the actual line-of-scrimmage??

Because sometimes an OL can end up blocking a guy backwards and end up down field.

Tide1986 · Feb 11, 2015

jthomas666 said:
It would also hurt offenses that run a lot of screens...

Aren't screens typically thrown behind the line of scrimmage? If so, I don't think it matters how far down the field the linemen are.

jthomas666 · Feb 11, 2015

Tide1986 said:
Aren't screens typically thrown behind the line of scrimmage? If so, it doesn't matter how far down the field the linemen are.

Quite right; my bad.

BamaPokerplayer · Feb 11, 2015

Won't this kill Paul Johnson's triple option? Debaxter where are you?

hacksaw830 · Feb 11, 2015

I doubt it they only run like 5 pass plays per game. Folks that run crap like Urban Myer were they fake the QB into the LOS and he backs up and throws a ball in the flats to the TE while a guard is 5 yards down field blocking a LB that was reading run but had TE responsibility.

BamaPokerplayer said:
Won't this kill Paul Johnson's triple option? Debaxter where are you?

CoachJeff · Feb 11, 2015

BamaPokerplayer said:
Won't this kill Paul Johnson's triple option? Debaxter where are you?

Blocking downfield applies to pass plays, not running plays. It won't hurt GT's offense.

As has been said, it'll hurt the teams that use a spread option attack. The read option/pass play won't be nearly as effective when the defense can use the reads they've been taught - if a lineman is heading downfield you need to get up to the line of scrimmage b/c it, by rule, must be a run play.

JDCrimson · Feb 11, 2015

I doubt this will pass considering over half the schools probably run some sort of spread attack now. Now, if they would only DCs vote for the rule change then it would probably pass in a landslide.

KentuckianaBFan · Feb 11, 2015

RTR91 said:
But the enforcement should be easier considering it's only going to be a yard instead of three. Of course, this is all assuming the rule is passed.

And assuming that the refs that can't count to three can count to one...

JustNeedMe81 · Feb 11, 2015

More at article: http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2015/02/ncaa_football_rules_committee_1.html#incart_river

colbysullivan · Feb 11, 2015

This is definitely a needed change but it will be all for nought if they don't enforce it properly.

KentuckianaBFan · Feb 11, 2015

Does the lineman down field have to begin the 'engagement' with a defensive player at the line of scrimmage and stay engaged, or can he just run 10 yards down field and engage a defensive back, and then the QB throws the ball?

Rule Change Proposal: Ineligible Man Downfield Decreased to One Yard

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