At the instant the ball is put in play, at least seven players of Team A must be Line Players (as defined in Rule 4, Section 1, Article 2). Conversely, Team A can never have more than five players in backfield positions.
PENALTY: L5
On all scrimmage plays at least five Line Players, including the Centre, shall be identified as ineligible pass receivers and must be positioned in a continuous, unbroken line. On scrimmage plays in which Team A punts the ball, the continuous unbroken line of ineligibles must include two ineligible Line Players on each side of the Centre (aka the Long Snapper). In addition, one player at each end of the line shall be identified as an eligible pass receiver.
Any other Team A player is an eligible pass receiver, if so identified by playing number and, at the snap of the ball, is not a Line Player and is clearly occupying a backfield position.
Team A Players shall be identified by numbering as follows:
Eligible receivers will wear numbers from 0-49 and 70-99.
Ineligible receivers will wear numbers from 50-69.
When the Team A Long Snapper is on the field, the Long Snapper and the two players immediately on each side of the Long Snapper and/or the ball can wear any number.
These players are ineligible receivers for that play regardless of which number they wear.
Prior to the game each team will provide the number of their Long Snapper to the Referee. Should a team wish to use a different Long Snapper during the game they must first inform the Referee of the number of the new Long Snapper.
A maximum of 2 players wearing an ineligible number (50 — 69) will be allowed to line up in an eligible position as an end or in the backfield after reporting to the Referee prior to a scrimmage play. The player must report to the Referee before EACH play that he wishes to play in an eligible position. The referee will inform the opposing team and all officials of the player number and position the player will be playing.
PENALTY: L5
Team A Line Players after having assumed a three-point or four-point stance may not break their stance by lifting a hand, however they may point, signal, shift or move slightly in a manner that does not draw the defense offside. All Team A Line Players, including the Centre, must become stationary and remain motionless for at least one second prior to the snap of the ball.
The Centre is allowed to bob their head any number of times prior to the snap of the ball provided that the Centre pauses for one second between each head bob and remains completely motionless for at least one second immediately prior to the ball being snapped.
No player of Team A, who is a Line Player, shall be moving towards the opponent's Goal Line when the ball is put in play.
PENALTY: L5
EXCEPTIONS: Rule 6, Section 4, Article 4, Note 4
Prior to the game, a team is required to designate two or three Designated quarterbacks. These players shall can substitute freely for each other during the game at the Quarterback position. A maximum of two of these players may be in the game at the same time. No Designated Quarterback can enter the game as a member of Team B.
PENALTY: L25 PLS DR or L25 PBD or option.
NOTE: For the purposes of this Article 5, the duties of the Quarterback position may include punting, place kicking and kicking off.
NOTE: A team is required to have one designated quarterback or kicker on the field for each of its offensive plays.
If a team is using its full complement of international players, it shall, prior to the game, designate four international players as special teams players, who shall be permitted to enter the game at another position, only on the understanding that another international player on that side of the ball is required to leave the game for that play. Such player may enter the game on an unrestricted basis, only if another international player is removed for the balance of the game.
If a designated international participates in the game illegally:
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Content compiled and written by Jeff Harbin and Andre Proulx
The CFL Official Rule Book is published annually by the Canadian Football League. Any inquiries regarding the CFL Official Playing Rules may be directed to Darren Hackwood, Associate Vice-President of Officiating at dhackwood@cfl.ca. Any inquiries regarding CFL Statistical Scoring Rules may be directed to Jeff Krever, Head, CFL Player and Game Statistics at jkrever@cfl.ca.