Electronic sign boards

[Bobref]

Anyone seen these popping up on the sidelines, used to signal plays to the players on the field? Just a reminder, Rule 1-5-3(c)(2) includes as illegal equipment “Electronic communication devices used to communicate with a player except during an outside 9-yard mark conference (7- yard marks in nine-, eight- and six-player competition), including electronic signage to signal plays or information from the sideline.” Rule 9-8-1(e) makes it unsportsmanlike conduct to use “any illegal communication equipment as specified in 1-5-3(c)(2) …” The penalty for using the equipment is 15 yds. and, of course, you have to stop using the equipment. These are common at the college level. Anyone see them being used in our game?

[snrmike]

4 hours ago, Bobref said:

 Anyone see them being used in our game?

Not yet - thank goodness.  But there are two weeks + playoffs to go!

[Bobref]

Doing a little research, I discovered that crews have been quite inconsistent in interpreting this rule, despite the pretty clear language. So, I sent the following play situation to Asst. Commissioner Faulkens and requested an official interpretation of the application of Rule 1-5-3c(2) to the situation. As you can tell from the disclaimer at the bottom of my posts, the IHSAA is the only source of official interpretations of the National Federation football rules.

On the first scrimmage play after the opening kickoff, Team A’s offense goes directly to the line from the sideline. All of the players are wearing wristbands containing information on plays, blocking schemes, etc. As the offense gets to the line, all the players turn to the sideline where a coach is holding an electronic LED message board containing 2 red numbers and 2 green numbers. The players then look to their wristband for the corresponding numbers, and run the indicated play.

It took about 5 minutes for Mr. Faulkens to respond. The official ruling: “Absolutely illegal.”

Spread the word.