#eligible receiver

[allthingsdarkanddirty]

S.R. Grey ~ Eligible Receiver ~ Cover Reveal / Teaser

Title: Eligible Receiver Series: A Men of Fall Novel Author: S.R. Grey Genre: Sports Romance/Romantic Comedy Release Date: September 1, 2020 Cover Design: Najla Qamber Designs Cover Model: Quin Bru…

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[nowbreakitdownforme-blog]

Sports Skinny: Terminology Tuesday - Swipe Right

Today I’m tackling (ha!) one of the many nuanced football rules that the “guys in the booth” talk a whole lot about, but never take the time to explain. It’s one of those rules that at surface level seems simple enough to glaze over during a broadcast, but in reality it’s got many layers. It’s like an onion, or an ogre. (Shrek reference for the win!)

Today, I’m breaking down what I fondly refer to as the Tinder rule — eligible vs. ineligible receivers in NFL football. Now, It’s important to note that I’m only talking about this rule in terms of professional football. The rules vary slightly in the college game.

So here we go…let’s get swiping.

Who is an eligible receiver?

In Tinder terms, these guys are Brady and Manning’s “right swipes.”

On the offense, Eligible receivers are those players that are allowed to receive a forward pass from the quarterback. These players include the guys that are lined up on either end of the line of scrimmage, as well as those players at least one yard behind the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. Now, the quarterback cannot “swipe” himself unless another eligible receiver touches the ball first, like in during a flea flicker. However, all offensive players become eligible once a pass is touched by either an eligible receiver or a defensive player.

All defensive players are considered eligible receivers.

Who is an ineligible receiver?

You guessed it, these are Rodgers’ and Roethlisberger’s “left swipes.”

In offense, ineligible receivers are the interior linemen, the guys lined up on the inside of the line of scrimmage. These players include the center, guards and tackles. It is the job of these players to block the defense from tackling the quarterback on passing plays. They are not allowed to catch a forward pass from the quarterback. NFL rules state that all five offensive linemen must be on the field for every offensive play and they may not move more than 2-yards downfield on any play.

(see figure #1 above)

How can I tell the difference?

I mean, you look hot in your profile picture and everything….

So you’re sitting in the nose bleeds and you can’t tell who the hell is lined up on the line of scrimmage? Don’t worry, this is where the number game can be a huge help to you!

On a scale of one to ten, that guy’s a 20!

In the NFL, players that may be eligible receivers are made to wear certain uniform numbers to help referees (and you!) easily distinguish them from the “left swipes.”

Here’s the breakdown:

Running Backs must wear numbers 20-49

Tight ends must wear 80-89 (or 40-49 if those are taken)

Wide receivers must wear 10-19 or 80-89

What does it all mean, Scotty?

So all of this is to say that while football may look like a bunch of dudes playing an unnecessarily rough game of flies up, there are some rules there. This isn’t ‘Nam!

Here are your basic forward pass NFL rules:

1. An offensive team may make only one forward pass during each play from scrimmage, more than one: loss of 5 yards.

2. The passer must be behind his line of scrimmage when he throws forward pass or else: loss of down and five yards, enforced from the spot of pass.

3. Any eligible receiver that goes out of bounds is no longer an eligible receiver and cannot receive a forward pass, unless that player re-establishes by taking three steps in bounds.

4. Any forward pass becomes incomplete and ball is dead if:

(a) Pass hits the ground or goes out of bounds.

(b) Pass hits the goal post or the crossbar of either team.

Here are your basic forward pass and ineligible receivers NFL rules:

1. If the ball is touched accidentally by an ineligible receiver on or behind his line: loss of five yards.

2. If an ineligible receiver is illegally downfield: loss of five yards.

3. If touched or caught (intentionally or accidentally) by ineligible receiver beyond the line: loss of 5 yards.

Now, like I said there are many layers to this nuanced rule. But just remember it is no more complicated than Tinder - swipe right, swipe left and when in doubt, play the numbers.