NFL officials instructed on new procedures for substitution tactics

Football Zebras exclusive

Walt Anderson, in his capacity as an officiating department liaison, sends all teams an officiating video every week. Sources with knowledge of the contents of his video said the teams have been informed of the rules of unusual substitution scenarios, and in one situation, officials will apply new procedures to prevent a team from bending the rule to their advantage.

The change in officiating mechanics is regarding the defense’s opportunity to match up against substitutions by the offense. Any time the offense substitutes with a running play clock — except for field goal attempts and plays inside the 2-minute warning — the umpire will hold up the snap. The referee indicates the substitution period is open by what is called the “iron cross” signal, which resembles the signal for unsportsmanlike conduct. When the referee drops that signal, the umpire moves off the ball quickly, and the ball can be legally snapped when the umpire is at least as far back as the deepest player. If the defense has not finished their substitution and the play clock expires, it is a delay of game on the offense.

Anderson informed teams that defenses cannot slow-walk their substitution as a gamesmanship tactic to use up the play clock. Going forward, if the defense is not substituting at a normal speed, referees have been instructed to drop the signal to release the umpire and close out the substitution period, even if there are 12 or more players on the field. If the excess players do not make the sideline, it is a 5-yard live-ball foul.

Anderson also clarified the situation that caused a delay of game against the Titans in Week 3. Before attempting a field goal at the end of the half, both teams called a timeout. The Titans were frantically signaling for a play-clock reset but didn’t get one. As it was explained in the video, after an administrative stoppage with the play clock at 25, the referee will wind the clock after all substitutions have been made to allow for a clean restart. The Titans had their offensive unit out and then sent in the field goal unit after the play clock was wound. Because the clean restart had occurred, the Titans created the disadvantage themselves, and were not entitled to a reset of the play clock. Anderson stated that the crew correctly handled the situation.

Finally, Anderson also addressed a Week 3 simulated substitution by the Packers. Anderson had the “all-29” video — a separate closed-circuit camera feed that shows the 22 players and 7 officials on the field — that showed Packers tight end Luke Musgrave take two steps onto the field and then go back onto the sideline. The Browns reacted by sending in their substitutes and the Packers attempted to quick snap for a defensive foul. The Browns immediately called timeout, but referee Carl Cheffers announced that the timeout was being restored because there was not enough time to intervene.

Anderson instructed the teams that this tactic of a simulated substitution, whether deliberate or accidental, opens up a substitution period. If the offense snaps the ball, the play is blown dead, and it’s a warning on the first offense. After that, a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct foul is assessed.