Running Power Play Formations: The Ruling

[Reginald Rutledge]

This is the rule that will be followed in the CBSMF National Championship Weekend.

This ruling has come under speculation but it has remained consistently constant throughout the years as I have written it. It has not change and will not change until a consensus begin to vote on rule changes in the upcoming years of the CBSMF.

Scenario 1
On a running play from scrimmage, if a runner is running through the 1 or two hole, the runner must line up totally behind the QB. He can not be two yards off the back of the lineman base and run the ball. He has to be totally behind the QB (baselength) and distinguished as the ball carrier.

The logic here is that the defensive tackle may be able to get a push on the OG which will lead to blowing up the line. Also, if the defensive team decide to stack in that area, it allows for the play-action pass scenario when a safety comes up and vacates a zoned area. At that point, the offense says pass and the hope is that the receiver will slant in towards the vacated cover area.

Scenario 2
If the QB is in a shotgun formation (5 yards behind the base of the center or more), the QB can hand the ball to a runner 2 yards behind the lineman on a direct snap scenario. This is on a toss play or power play.

The defensive has the ability to come up and support the run or remain in a zone coverage scheme.

These are the official rules. It is important to know this for your trip to Ohio. No other ruling in this manner is official but this one.

Reginald Rutledge
CBSMF