Legal Substitutions
ARTICLE 2. A legal substitute may replace a player or fill a player vacancy provided none of the following restrictions is violated:
e. When Team A sends in its substitutes, the officials will not allow the ball to be snapped until Team B has been given an opportunity to substitute. While in the process of substitution or simulated substitution, Team A is prohibited from rushing quickly to the line of scrimmage with the obvious attempt of creating a defensive disadvantage. If the ball is ready for play, the game officials will not permit the ball to be snapped until Team B has placed substitutes in position and replaced players have left the field of play. Team B must react promptly with its substitutes.
PENALTY—(First Offense)—Dead-ball foul. Delay of game on Team B for not completing its substitutions promptly, or delay of game on Team A for causing the play clock to expire. Five yards from the succeeding spot [S21]. The referee will then notify the head coach that any further use of this tactic will result in an unsportsmanlike conduct foul.
PENALTY—(Second or more offense)—Dead-ball foul, team unsportsmanlike conduct. An official will sound their whistle immediately. 15 yards from the succeeding spot [S27].
Approved Ruling 3-5-2 II. After a change of team possession or any timeout, the ball is declared ready for play. When Team A has completed its offensive formation, Team B must promptly position its personnel. Team B will be allowed time to complete substitutions. RULING: Either team is subject to a delay-of-game foul— Team B for not completing its substitutions promptly (Rule 3-4-2b-3) or Team A for causing the 25-second clock to expire. Penalty—Five yards from the succeeding spot.
Approved Ruling 3-5-2 VIII. Late in the first half Team A is out of timeouts. A pass play on third down ends inbounds at the B-25 short of the line to gain with the game clock showing 0:30. Facing fourth down and three, Team A gives no indication as to its next play until the game clock reads 0:10. They then rush their field goal unit onto the field, and Team B then hurries to respond. RULING: The Referee starts the substitution mechanics process and the Umpire moves to the ball to prevent the snap. The Umpire will step away when the Referee determines that the defense has had adequate time to complete its substitution. If the game clock reads 0:00 before the ball is snapped after the Umpire steps away, the half has ended.
Approved Ruling 3-5-2 IX. Late in the 1st quarter, ball carrier A21 circles right end toward his team area and is hit by B54 at the A30. A21 continues to drive forward and lands with his body down at the A34 (a) just inbounds; (b) out of bounds in the white. There are no other substitutions for Team A. Ruling: Team A will have 2nd and 1 @ A34. In (a), the game clock will not stop, and the play clock will be set to 40 and started within 1 second from when the ball is declared dead. Team A may snap the ball when the ball is ready for play. In (b), the game clock will be stopped, and will be restarted on the Referee's signal. The play clock will be set to 40 and will start within 1 second from when the ball is declared dead. The Referee will give the "T" signal signifying substitution mechanics are in place and Team B will be given the opportunity to substitute. When Team A players go out of bounds after the play between the twenty-yard lines on their team area's side of the field, the Referee will initiate the "T" and work through the substitution mechanics' process.
