Offensive Formations

Only 5 offensive players besides the quarterback may be eligible to catch a forward pass beyond the line of scrimmage. If teams have seven a side, the center is automatically ineligible. If more than seven a side, the center and one lineman (lineperson, sorry) is ineligible (etc.)

INELIGIBLE PLAYERS MUST LINE UP ON THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE ADJACENT TO EACH OTHER AND ON THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE.

Even with six players or less on a team, a team with one extra player must have an ineligible center who cannot catch a forward pass.

INELIGIBLE" LINEMEN CAN RECEIVE A BACKWARDS PASS OR A "BACKWARDS MOVING" HANDOFF.

"INELIGIBLE" LINEMEN CAN ALSO RECEIVE A FORWARD PASS OR A "FORWARD MOVING" HANDOFF FROM BEHIND THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE, BUT ONLY AFTER THE DEFENSE CROSSES THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE (i.e. after "Four Mississippi", a Blitz, or after a muffed snap or a fumble.)

Ineligibles should raise their hand as they approach the line so the defense can identify them before the ball is snapped.

There are no rules regarding number of players in motion; number of players on the line vs offset etc.

Note: Offenses can't re-huddle. Once the huddle has been broken there can be no re-huddle.