When is tight end eligible

Players on defense are always eligible receivers. In the NCAA, the determining factor of whether a player is an eligible receiver is their jersey number and their position on the field when the ball is snapped.

Players on offense whose jersey number is between 50 and 79 are always ineligible. Players on the offense whose number do not fall between 50 and 79 are eligible only if they meet certain criteria: the player is at the end of the group of players on the line of scrimmage this includes wide receivers and tight ends , the player is behind the line of scrimmage by at least one yard running backs , or the player receives a snap from behind the center usually the quarterback.

There are some exceptions to the eligibility rules such as a player wearing an eligible jersey number at an ineligible position if a special teams play is occurring. Also, if a player changes positions during the game, they must also change jersey numbers to reflect that position. This is done to help the referees in easily spotting ineligible receivers and players in the wrong position in the case of an illegal shift.

Additionally, a player whose number makes him ineligible may declare his eligibility to the referee prior to the start of the play. The referee will make an announcement of this and point to the player in question. Once a player has been declared eligible, he may catch passes and be downfield as any.

A player may also declare ineligibility if they are wearing a legal receiving number but will line up as an interior lineman and not be an eligible receiver. This is much less common than linemen declaring eligibility. In the NFL, the offensive team must have seven players lined up on the line of scrimmage, and only two of those players at either end of the line of scrimmage are considered an eligible receiver.

The quarterback is eligible unless he is lined up behind the center in the I-formation sometimes called the T-formation , then the quarterback is not eligible. Just like in the NCAA, eligible receivers must wear certain jersey numbers. See your definition.

Add a definition. If a player who is not an eligible receiver receives a thrown pass, the team could be penalized. From Wikipedia. A tribute goes to the next eligible receiver according to players physical position. The referee then announces that the ineligible number x is reporting as an eligible receiver. If, for example, eight men line up on the line of scrimmage, the team loses an eligible receiver. A player who is not wearing a number that corresponds to an eligible receiver is ineligible even if he lines up in an eligible position.

Such positioning allows another player, usually the tight end, to become the eligible receiver on that side of the line. The eligible receiver runs parallel to the line of scrimmage till near the sidelines and turns toward the quarterback to wait for the pass. A member of the offensive team considered an eligible receiver by the rules of the game, in most leagues, are the running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends.

Also, if a pass is touched by any eligible receiver tipped by a defensive lineman, slips through a receiver's hands, etc. The tackle-eligible play typically goes unnoticed, but for one prominent exception: when the player reporting as an eligible receiver catches a forward pass usually for a very short touchdown.

On the other hand, they are eligible receivers adept enough to warrant a defense's attention when running pass patterns. Although they are eligible receivers they rarely go out for passes and are usually only used for screen passes when they do.

However, because they are eligible receivers, they may also catch passes. Of the players on the line of scrimmage, only the two players on the ends of the line of scrimmage are eligible receivers. The rules on eligible receivers only apply to forward passes. These players are eligible receivers and may play near the linemen tight ends or farther away split end or wide receiver. In many leagues eligible receivers must wear certain uniform numbers, so that the officials can more easily distinguish between eligible and ineligible receivers.

The offense converts the play but is called for offensive pass interference. Can the defense accept the penalty, allow the points and take the penalty on the kickoff? Ask the Official: A tight end can be covered before the snap and still be an eligible receiver.

At the high school level, a player is eligible by position and number. Both are required.