NFL Video Rulebook Illegal Formation

Rule Summary View Official Rule

rULE 7, Section 5 - Position of players at the Snap

ARTICLE 1. OFFENSIVE TEAM

The offensive team must comply with the following at the snap:

1. It must have seven or more players on the line, who may lock legs (3-18).
2. Eligible receivers must be on both ends of the line, and all of the players on the line between them must be ineligible receivers
3. No player may be out of bounds
4. No player may take a position that is neither clearly on, nor clearly off the line of scrimmage, unless he is directly behind the snapper. Only one player may be in such a position, and he must wear an eligible number, unless he has reported in accordance with Rule 5, Section 3, Article 1 Regardless of number or reporting status, this player must comply with all rules pertaining to motion (7-4-8) and eligibility (8-1-5, 8-1-6 and 8-3-1).
5. Players in eligible positions must wear an eligible number, unless they have reported in accordance with Rule 5, Section 3, Article 1.

Penalty: For illegal formation by the offense: Loss of five yards.

rULE  9, SECTION  1 - KICK FROM SCRIMMAGE

ARTICLE 3. DEFENSIVE TEAM FORMATION

Item 1. Punt Formation. When Team A presents a punt formation:

1. A Team B player, who is within one yard of the line of scrimmage, must have his entire body outside the snapper’s shoulder pads at the snap.
   

   Penalty: For illegal formation by the defense: Loss of five yards.

Note: The restriction in (1) above does not apply if a team does not present a standard punt formation (an equal number of players on either side of the snapper in a tight formation, and one player split out wide to either side), or if, after the offensive team has assumed a set position, there is a shift, or a player goes in motion.

Item 2: Field Goal or Try Kick Formation. When Team A presents a field goal or Try Kick formation:

1. A Team B player, who is within one yard of the line of scrimmage, must have his entire body outside the snapper’s shoulder pads at the snap.
2. No more than six Team B players may be on the line of scrimmage on either side of the snapper at the snap.
   

   Penalty: For illegal formation by the defense: Loss of five yards.

Note: The restrictions in (1) and (2) above do not apply if a team does not present a standard field goal or Try Kick formation (an equal number of players on either side of the snapper in a tight formation), or if, after the offensive team has assumed a set position, there is a shift, or a player goes in motion.