Are those line penalties like.....

[The 24th Letter]

Illegal formation, Illegal shift etc. really necessary? It seems like ive seen them called more this year than ever before...Do they really give the O an edge in anyway?

Just wondering you guys opinion on them...

[CM Hooe]

As long as I've been watching football, offenses have only been allowed to have seven guys lined up at the line of scrimmage (where that number came from, I don't know), and I think three have to be on the line on each side of the center (same with that number). A fair amount of illegal formation calls, therefore, occur when either the offense has too many men on the line, or too many men on one side of the play.

In short, they keep the offense from having an even more unfair advantage than they already have under today's rules (referring to the implementation and calling of defensive holding, roughing the passer, and pass interference).

[dkgojackets]

Quote: Originally Posted by The 24th Letter

Illegal formation, Illegal shift etc. really necessary? It seems like ive seen them called more this year than ever before...Do they really give the O an edge in anyway? Just wondering you guys opinion on them...

youve just been watching too many carolina games

[Cebby]

Quote: Originally Posted by The 24th Letter

Illegal formation, Illegal shift etc. really necessary? It seems like ive seen them called more this year than ever before...Do they really give the O an edge in anyway?

Yes. Is this really a serious question?

Illegal formation give the offense more eligible receivers. Even if only 5 actually act, you still have people accounting for receivers. It can mess up the defensive calls and alignments.

Illegal shift keeps the offense from running goofy nonsense and shifting from one formation to another without giving the defense any time to adjust.