An ineligible number, an eligible position

October 07, 2009

Tom Higgins
CFL.ca

We are in the second season of a rule change. The head coach meets with the referee and umpire before the start of each game to identify a maximum of two players wearing an ineligible number (50-69) to be allowed to line up in an eligible position as an end or in the backfield and be eligible to catch a pass.

Each time one of these players enters the game to play in an eligible position they must report to the referee prior to the scrimmage play. The referee will inform the opposing team and all officials of the player’s number.

The reason for the rule change was twofold. One is for the ease and flow of the game and two, no jersey needs to be changed during the game.

In the 2007 season, we had these big men trying to put on or take off different jerseys to play in eligible positions which created a lot of confusion and chaos for players, coaches and officials.

With this rule change, the player must report on each play to the referee. If the player participates in two consecutive plays he must still report to the referee prior to each play he is in. If a player fails to report and occupies an eligible position Team A (the offense) will be penalized with a five yard penalty.

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Daryl Turner

Tom, thank you for the explanation, but can I say that I think it would be best to re-institute the 'have the ref make the announcement' part of the rule, especially for the fans at home. With the TV guys either analyzing the previous play or looking at a replay, we do not get to see the ref meeting with the big guy and signalling the ump. I know watching a few games earlier this year, I was practically yelling at the TV that Eric Wilson (#69 of the Als) was ineligible because there had been no announcement.
Have a great Thanksgiving!

October 09, 2009 - 11:11pm

Tom Higgins

Elizabeth the real quick answer is that that is the rule. In the rulebook it states that Team A Players (team putting ball into play – the offense) shall be identified by numbering as follows:

"Eligible receivers will wear numbers from 0-49 and 70-00. Ineligible receivers (offensive linemen) will wear numbers from 50-69."

I know that some fans might think that your question was simple or silly. I don’t think any question is simple or silly if you are looking for an answer. With your new found information you should ask a real serious CFL football fan, why are the 40s not ineligible receivers? Where they at one time?

Not so long ago, 40-69 were ineligible receivers. Believe it or not the clubs requested to the rules committee to make a change and take the 40s from being ineligible and make them eligible. The rationale was the equipment managers who assign players numbers needed more options. With all clubs having retired numbers and with expanding the size of our rosters they needed those numbers for other players that are not offensive linemen.

Thanks for your question and being a fan of the CFL.

October 09, 2009 - 3:09pm

Jacques

What's wrong with trick plays? What's wrong with confusing the defense? It would certainly be more entertaining than this year has been! Who cares who plays where or when or requiring to have a certain number of players line up? Let them line up where and how they want. Now that would really be entertaining.

October 09, 2009 - 1:27pm

Elizabeth B

Just a question, why are those numbers inelegible in the irst place?

October 09, 2009 - 12:11pm

Tom Higgins

Mooner is correct; it would be the same as a ‘sleeper play’ which by the rule book is illegal. The coach’s intent in implementing this rule was the ease in which they can go to their ‘big’ team and not disrupt the flow of the game. It was never their intent to confuse the defensive team and that is why if the player does not report to the referee the offensive team will be penalized.

Have an outstanding Thanksgiving; enjoy your turkey and CFL football.

October 09, 2009 - 11:15am

Tom Higgins

Thank you for the replies and questions. Mike asked a question about PA announcements, when this rule was first introduced it was felt that the announcement was necessary for all to hear. In our one year review, the rules committee decided that the referee using the PA system was not necessary. If you watch the referee when the big athletes report to him, you will see the referee still rubs the front of his shirt and looks to his umpire to inform him. The umpire (who is positioned behind the linebackers) is responsible to inform the defensive captain and his five on-officials of the reported player and his number.

October 09, 2009 - 11:13am

StickBoy

With regard to Mike's comment, I would like to hear the announcement of players reporting as eligible. The alternative would be that when the penalty is called, instead of announcing it as "no end" say "ineligible player" or some such. Sometimes the referee will announce a penalty or decision and go into detail that is very informative and helpful for the fans. Other times the referee will make an announcement that is so vague that even the TSN commentators - guys who played the game! - don't know what's going on.

October 09, 2009 - 4:34am

Rob

I think that numbers should only ever identify a player, and have no effect on the game whatsoever. This has created needless confusion, and adds additional time to the game every time this needs to be announced. How about, if a player lines up in the correct position, then they're eligible to catch the ball. Simple as that. Wear any number you want, all it does is identifies you.

October 09, 2009 - 12:32am

Mooner

C'mon Russ If they didn't report there would be an unfair advantage to the offence.the same as why the sleeper play is illegal.The rules are all about advantage.If we don't care about unfair advantage then we should let linemen hold,or let backs be 2or3 yards over the line of scrimmage at the snap of the ball.

October 07, 2009 - 10:17pm

MIke

Hi Tom , quick question, The Referees don't seem to make the "number so and so is reporting as eligible" announcement over the stadium PA this year. Change in policy or just not a priority?

October 07, 2009 - 7:48pm

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3	Austin Pasztor	OL	Virginia
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7	Ameet Pall	DE	Wofford
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