illiegal formation

Question
QUESTION: I have gotten called for illiegal formation because i was on
the "wrong side of the ball." I don't understand this. I
thought illiegal formation was only when 7 players weren't on
the ball.

ANSWER: Jon
I need some more information I too am having difficulty understanding the reason you were called for illegal formation.  I need some more information:  What formation was the offense in and what was the play that was run when penalized?  What position do you play and where were you lined up?  What rules are you playing under?  Was it a scrimmage play or free kick?  Was it a punt or FG play?

What confuses me about your question is that you say you were penalized because you were on the wrong side of the ball.  What do you mean?  Were you on the defensive side when you should have been on the offensive side [this would not be a formation foul]. Were you on the right side or left side of the snapper?  Is it possible you were not either on the line of scrimmage or clearly in the backfield?  My initial thought is you may not have established yourself as a back or on the line of scrimmage.  Or if it was on a Kick off you may not have had 4 players on either side of the kicker.

For there to be a legal formation at the snap, at least five players wearing jerseys numbered 50 through 79 are to be on the offensive scrimmage line and no more than four players are in the backfield.

The offensive team (Team A) must have at most 4 players in the backfield.  The old rule prior to 2009 under NCAA Rules require: "At least seven players legally on their scrimmage line, not less than five of whom shall be numbered 50 through 79. The remaining players must be either on their scrimmage line or legally positioned as a back".  However the rule changed in 2009 to require: "All players must be either on their scrimmage line or legally positioned as a back. At least five players wearing jerseys numbered 50 through 79 must be legally on their scrimmage line, and no more than four players may be in the backfield."

SCRIMMAGE FORMATION Rules 1-1-1-b-2 and 7-1-3-b-1 govern legal formations.  The rules provide 揘o More Than Four in Backfield?which Eliminates Cheap Foul for Six on Line and Four in Backfield (when there 10 players on Field).  A team legally may play with fewer than 11 players, but a foul for an illegal formation occurs if the following requirements are not met:
     1. When the ball is free-kicked, at least four Team A players  are on each side of the kicker (Rule 6-1-2-c).
     2. At the snap, at least five players wearing jerseys numbered 50 through 79 are on the offensive scrimmage line and no more than
four players are in the backfield (Rules 2-21-2, 2-27-4, 7-1-3-b-1)(Exception: Rule 1-4-2-b)

Any and all players on the line not numbered 50-79 who are
ineligible receiver(s) by position are established as exceptions to the numbering rule when the snapper touches or simulates touching the
ball (i.e., hands at or below his knees). At the snap any and all such numbering-exception players must be on the line and may not be on the end of the line. Otherwise, Team A commits a foul for an illegal formation

I am going to provide you with possible illegal formations under NCAA rules.  They may explain your situation.

I.  A33, an exception to the mandatory numbering rule, assumes a
position on the line of scrimmage next to end A88. Before the snap,
A88 shifts to a backfield position with the flanker on the opposite
side of the line shifting to an end position on the line. RULING:
Illegal formation. Since A33 is now an end, he is in an illegal
position at the snap (live-ball foul). Penalty梖ive yards, previous
spot.(1-4-2)

II.   A33, an exception to the mandatory numbering rule, assumes a
position on the line of scrimmage to the left of snapper A85, who
is on the end of the line. All other Team A players on the line are to A33抯 left. After a one-second stop, all players on the line except A85 legally shift to the other side of the ball, with A33 now positioned as an end. RULING: If the ball is snapped with A33 in this position, it is a foul for an illegal formation. A33 must be between the end players at the snap. Penalty梖ive yards, previous spot.

III.    With seconds remaining in a half and the ball ready for play, Team A quickly lines up and the ball is legally snapped to quarterback A12, who throws the ball forward directly to the ground. Team A抯 formation was not legal at the snap. When the ball becomes dead, two seconds show on the game clock. RULING: Illegal formation.
Penalty? yards from the previous spot. The clock starts on the
snap.

On Kicking play
IV.   Kicker A11 places the ball on the tee in the center of the field for a free kick with four teammates to the left side of the ball and six teammates to the right side of the ball. The ball blows off the tee. A55, who was lined up to the left of the ball, then holds the ball on the tee for right-footed kicker A11. No other Team A players move. When the ball is kicked by A11, A55 is to the kicker抯 right. RULING: Foul by Team A for illegal formation at the kick. Penalty? yards from the previous spot or five yards from the
spot where the subsequent dead ball belongs to Team B.

V.   A11 places the ball on the tee for a free kick on the 30-yard line in the center of the field. A12 lines up near the ball. After the ready for play, A11 starts forward as if to kick the ball, and A12 suddenly crosses in front of him and kicks the ball. When the ball is kicked, A11 is directly behind the ball with three teammates on one side of the ball. A12 plants his nonkicking foot on the same side of the ball as his three teammates. RULING: Foul by Team A for illegal formation. Penalty? yards from the previous spot, and rekick if Team B chooses; or five yards from the spot where the subsequent dead ball belongs to Team B.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: im sorry for not clarifying. I was playing tight end and lined up on the left side of the ball. Two backs were in the back field being the full back and running back. The play i think was a 24 dive or play of some sort. Apparently i lined up on the wrong side of the ball and was called for illiegal formation which i did not understand. I had lined up on the left side of the ball playing tight end and was on the line of scrimmage. The play was called back from the penalty.

Answer
Jon
Thanks for the additional information.  Based on your information I don't understand why you were called for illegal formation, it appears legal.  As a Football Official, please accept my apology I believe the call on the field was incorrect.  We as officials try very hard to call perfect games.  We do make errors, it appears based on your information the official in your game erred.
My sincerest apology [when one of us errs, we all err].  Best of luck this week - have a great game.
Victor Winnek
NCAA Football Official