SECTION 4 — CORNER BLITZ & RECEIVER ALIGNMENT ADDENDUM (AGES 5-16)

 

4.1 Purpose - This section clarifies Wide Receiver alignment rules and the Corner Blitz mechanic when a defender is aligned over a Wide Receiver on the Line of Scrimmage.

 

4.2 Receiver Alignment Area - Wide Receivers must line up outside the No Defensive Rush Window™, which extends 1.5 yards on either side of the football. Receivers must also line up at least three (3) yards inside the sideline.

 

4.3 Line of Scrimmage Receiver Definition - A Wide Receiver is considered on the Line of Scrimmage (LOS) only if one or both feet are all or partially within one-half (½) yard of the LOS. The offense must have at least one (1) Wide Receiver aligned on the Line of Scrimmage at the snap.

 

4.4 Off-Line and Stacked Receivers - Receivers who are not aligned on the Line of Scrimmage must line up no more than two (2) yards behind the Line of Scrimmage. Stacked receivers are permitted and may align directly behind or offset from the receiver in front of them.

 

4.5 Defender Alignment Over a Receiver - A defender may align on the Line of Scrimmage only when directly covering a Wide Receiver who is aligned on the Line of Scrimmage. The defender must line up with shoulders square to the receiver at the snap. A defender aligned over a legal Line of Scrimmage receiver may rush the passer at the snap or cover the receiver normally.

 

4.6 Motion and Corner Responsibility - If the covered receiver goes in motion, the defender must immediately choose one of the following options:

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• Follow the receiver in motion at a similar speed.

• Retreat behind the Defensive Start Line™ at a rapid pace.

• Shift coverage to another uncovered receiver aligned on the Line of Scrimmage.

 

If the motion receiver comes to rest prior to the snap, the receiver must return to the Line of Scrimmage if originally aligned on the LOS. Failure to do so results in Illegal Formation (5 yards). Motion does not change whether a receiver is counted as aligned on the Line of Scrimmage if that is where the receiver began the play. The quarterback may snap the ball while the receiver and defender are in motion.

 

4.7 Motion Direction and Forward Motion - One offensive player may be in motion at the snap. Motion may be lateral, backward, or forward toward the Line of Scrimmage. A motion player may move toward the Line of Scrimmage at full speed provided the player does not cross the Line of Scrimmage before the snap. Motion must occur in front of the Quarterback and may not occur behind the Quarterback.

 

4.8 Corner Blitz Rights - A defender covering a receiver on the Line of Scrimmage may rush the passer while aligned over the receiver, while trailing the receiver in motion if the snap occurs, or while attempting to retreat behind the Defensive Start Line™ if the ball is snapped before the defender reaches it. The defender must respect the No Defensive Rush Window™ at all times.

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4.9 Offensive Audibles - The Offense may audible (Change/re-arrange player positioning beyond normal motion) after being set at the LOS during the 25 second play clock. If the offense had already been set in a formation, the Defense has no obligation to realign themselves if the offenses' new post audible formation has different numbers and/or positioning of wide receivers at the LOS. In short, post audible, corner backs have no obligation to adjust their positioning and may remain at the LOS uncovered if they were previously (Pre Audible) covering a WR on the LOS. This differs from motion rules.