Football Illegal formations: should they exist?

**kysirsoze** · 04-28-2009, 02:51 PM

Spinning off from the A-11 highschool football thread I figured I'd boil it down to a more fundamental discussion. Do you guys think that there should be rules in place to control formations or do you think that innovation on both sides of the ball should be allowed to flourish unimpeded. I can see pluses for both.

I'm especially interested to see what some of the real "X's and O's" guys on here think.

**kysirsoze** · 04-28-2009, 03:11 PM

I have a feeling I'm getting a silent REPOST here. If this debate has been done to death, my apologies.

jidar · 04-28-2009, 03:13 PM

Well it's a broad brush.
I thikn a lot of people probably believe that some illegal formation shouldn't be illegal, but some should be.

**kysirsoze** · 04-28-2009, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jidar

Well it's a broad brush.
I thikn a lot of people probably believe that some illegal formation shouldn't be illegal, but some should be.

Well sure, but I get the feeling that there are those who want them all to be legal. I would lump people who want to keep some in with those who want to keep all for the purpose of this debate.

MoreLemonPledge · 04-28-2009, 03:14 PM

As a fan, and from an official's standpoint, you would really have no clue what was going on unless they had some structure.

Mr. Krab · 04-28-2009, 03:19 PM

Yes, they should imo. The offense already has tons of advantages. Could you imagine if every player could go out for a pass? I mean with no illegal formation, every Olineman would report as eligible on every down. Defensive lineman couldn't rush the passer until they made sure that the offensive lineman wasn't going out for a pass.

Chaos, game scores would be higher than Arena League games because there would be so much space for teams in which to work.

**kysirsoze** · 04-28-2009, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoreLemonPledge

As a fan, and from an official's standpoint, you would really have no clue what was going on unless they had some structure.

Could be. But a lot of the most exciting plays in football are when teams break convention. (Bradley's pass to Thigpen for example.) Opening up receiver eligibilty and such would create more opportunity for this.

Playing a little devil's advocate here, since I do think there needs to be some restrictions on formation.

**kysirsoze** · 04-28-2009, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Krab's

Yes, they should imo. The offense already has tons of advantages. Could you imagine if every player could go out for a pass? I mean with no illegal formation, every Olineman would report as eligible on every down. Defensive lineman couldn't rush the passer until they made sure that the offensive lineman wasn't going out for a pass.

Chaos, game scores would be higher than Arena League games because there would be so much space for teams in which to work.

Offense might have some advantages, but that wouldn't affect the competitive balance between teams.

**Buehler445** · 04-28-2009, 03:21 PM

I think the rules are good. The one I might do away with is ineligible receiver. Especially as pass rushers get more effective.

But I don't think it is wise to have a bunch of crazy shit, especially motion. It is slanted in favor of the defense enough.
Posted via Mobile Device

Sully · 04-28-2009, 03:23 PM

The rules of formations are fine.
The A11, which spawned this was a legal formation.
The question should be about the numbering system.

**kysirsoze** · 04-28-2009, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sully

The rules of formations are fine.
The A11, which spawned this was a legal formation.
The question should be about the numbering system.

True. However, as was established in the other thread, the A-11 is legal due to a loophole. Then came argument as to the spirit of the game and what not. So I am wondering, since there were other innovations that changed the game over the years, if anyone actually wants to "get it over with" and open it up.

Hamas was the one who led me to this line of thought with his responses and he seems to be elsewhere. I wouldn't mind hearing thoughts from the few who voted to drop the rules, though.

Third Eye · 04-28-2009, 03:29 PM

I think the only rules that should be changed in regards to formation and receiver eligibility are the jersey numbers rule and the reporting of eligibility rule. I think it should be on the defense to realize when an offensive tackle is the last man on the line of scrimmage and therefore eligible.

**kysirsoze** · 04-28-2009, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Third Eye

I think the only rules that should be changed in regards to formation and receiver eligibility are the jersey numbers rule and the reporting of eligibility rule. I think it should be on the defense to realize when an offensive tackle is the last man on the line of scrimmage and therefore eligible.

I agree. I like the idea of the offense slipping one by the defense. Pay attention! It's like the kickoff team having to report that they will be attempting an onside kick!

KCChiefsMan · 04-28-2009, 04:35 PM

I think it would be fun if the best highschool football team in Texas said "hey, lets go there and whoop their asses, we can stop that shit"

think about it

**wazu** · 04-28-2009, 07:07 PM

I think it comes down to one question - which sport do you like better, football, or rugby?

View Poll Results: What do you think
The rules are there for a reason.	34	80.95%
These rules hold back the game. Get rid of em.	8	19.05%
Voters: 42. You may not vote on this poll

04-28-2009, 02:51 PM
kysirsoze SNAP THE ****ING BALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: KCMO Casino cash: $3706946	Illegal formations: should they exist? Spinning off from the A-11 highschool football thread I figured I'd boil it down to a more fundamental discussion. Do you guys think that there should be rules in place to control formations or do you think that innovation on both sides of the ball should be allowed to flourish unimpeded. I can see pluses for both. I'm especially interested to see what some of the real "X's and O's" guys on here think.
Posts: 11,295

04-28-2009, 03:11 PM	#2
kysirsoze SNAP THE ****ING BALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: KCMO Casino cash: $3706946	I have a feeling I'm getting a silent REPOST here. If this debate has been done to death, my apologies.
Posts: 11,295

04-28-2009, 03:13 PM	#3
jidar MVP Join Date: May 2005 Location: a Casino cash: $10004900	Well it's a broad brush. I thikn a lot of people probably believe that some illegal formation shouldn't be illegal, but some should be.
Posts: 5,502

04-28-2009, 03:14 PM	#5
MoreLemonPledge M-I-Z S-E-C Join Date: Apr 2009 Casino cash: $10004927	As a fan, and from an official's standpoint, you would really have no clue what was going on unless they had some structure.
Posts: 6,039

04-28-2009, 03:19 PM	#6
Mr. Krab Big Red Nuts Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $10004900	Yes, they should imo. The offense already has tons of advantages. Could you imagine if every player could go out for a pass? I mean with no illegal formation, every Olineman would report as eligible on every down. Defensive lineman couldn't rush the passer until they made sure that the offensive lineman wasn't going out for a pass. Chaos, game scores would be higher than Arena League games because there would be so much space for teams in which to work.
Posts: 3,512

04-28-2009, 03:21 PM	#9
Buehler445 Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Scott City KS Casino cash: $2264734	I think the rules are good. The one I might do away with is ineligible receiver. Especially as pass rushers get more effective. But I don't think it is wise to have a bunch of crazy shit, especially motion. It is slanted in favor of the defense enough. Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 56,802

04-28-2009, 03:23 PM	#10
Sully It Goes On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lees Summit Casino cash: $10026331	The rules of formations are fine. The A11, which spawned this was a legal formation. The question should be about the numbering system. __________________ "And I don't wish that girl any bad luck," he said, "but I hope she gets hit with a car." - Tommy Lasorda
Posts: 18,295

04-28-2009, 03:29 PM	#12
Third Eye Veteran Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: JoCo Casino cash: $1600860	I think the only rules that should be changed in regards to formation and receiver eligibility are the jersey numbers rule and the reporting of eligibility rule. I think it should be on the defense to realize when an offensive tackle is the last man on the line of scrimmage and therefore eligible.
Posts: 3,442

04-28-2009, 04:35 PM	#14
KCChiefsMan AIC Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Roxbury, MA Casino cash: $10004900	I think it would be fun if the best highschool football team in Texas said "hey, lets go there and whoop their asses, we can stop that shit" think about it
Posts: 11,478

04-28-2009, 07:07 PM	#15
wazu ... Join Date: May 2002 Location: Kansas City, MO Casino cash: $2152295 VARSITY	I think it comes down to one question - which sport do you like better, football, or rugby?
Posts: 27,805