I was hoping some of our officials could help me with this kickoff question. There was a dispute in one of our leagues as to how many players can be lined up on the line when receiving a kickoff, usually you see the standard 5, but during a particular game one team lined up all 11 players on the line to receive the kickoff. Is it possible or legal to have more than 5 players lined up at the line of scrimmage when receiving a kickoff?

I was hoping some of our officials could help me with this kickoff question. There was a dispute in one of our leagues as to how many players can be lined up on the line when receiving a kickoff, usually you see the standard 5, but during a particular game one team lined up all 11 players on the line to receive the kickoff. Is it possible or legal to have more than 5 players lined up at the line of scrimmage when receiving a kickoff?

 

Im not a ref but its all in your preference to how you line them up. Many times especially on an onside kick you will see 8 if not all of them on the side they are intending to kick. I just dont think its a good idea if you intend on kick it deep cause it leaves you with little room for error on the coverage.

There are no alignment restrictions on either team on free kicks under NFHS rules. Either team (K or R) can line-up anywhere behind thier respective restraining lines.

 

offside

Guys,

 

Thanks for the help

You can't have too many,but you must have at least 5 between the 45 and 50 yard line.:thumb:

If all 11 are on line, then the kicking team may recover the ball if kicked deep. Not a good idea.

You can't have too many,but you must have at least 5 between the 45 and 50 yard line.:thumb:

Offside is correct. That rule about having 5 players within 5 yards of the restraining line went out about 4 years ago but teams still keep aligning because of the threat of an onside kick.

So your saying you no longer have to put 5 on the front line.

Correct. Actually that rule went away about 10 years ago.