Illegal participation

[NNDman]

could you describe for me what has to happen for this penalty to be called. In a game this weekend, the officials enforced this infraction but couldn't quite understand the reasoning for it. I'm not saying there wasn't a penalty on what I witnessed but just didn't think it was illgal participation. Here's what happened: Team A has 12 defensive players on the field, one rushes to the sideline and is about 2 feet from the sideline when the ball was snapped. the official who works with the chain crew dropped a flag as did another official who worked downfield on Team A's sideline (this was a 7-man crew). After quite a bit of discussion among the officials the 15-yard illegal participation penalty was enforced.

 

[White hat]

The play you describe would not be flagged in my games. if a player is clearly trying to get off the field and he's close to the sideline, let it go. If he'd still at the numbers then I can see a flag but it's still illegal substitution, not illegal particiapation. IS is 5 yards.

To be IP, there have to be 12 players playing in the play, with no one trying to get off.

There are other ways to have IP, such as a player leaving the field and returning in the play or playing after his helmet comes off, but that's not what you described.

 

[VAHSFootballFan]

Once the center has touched the ball and it is "live" can any substitutions be made? If the center is holding the ball but the team is looking towards the sideline and not in formation is this considered "live" and are substitutions allowed then?