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Football: Is it the A-11 offense or the A-6?

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The innovative offense unveiled in 2007 by a pair of coaches from Piedmont High in Northern California was dubbed the A-11 because, in theory, all 11 players were eligible to receive a pass until they established their position on or off the line of scrimmage in the seconds before a play.

The National Federation of High School Associations ruled the A-11 illegal in February by changing its jersey numbering and scrimmage-kick formation rules, but that didn’t stop Piedmont Coach Steven Humphries from declaring the A-11 alive and well. Humphries sent out a media release last week saying the A-11 has been ‘reborn and retooled.’

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We say, call it the A-11*.

In the new version, the scrimmage-kick formation is no longer used. Offensive linemen must wear traditional jersey numbers (50 through 79), and at least five of them must be on the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped, making them ineligible. But Humphries still says all 11 players could have an impact on any given play.

How might the linemen make an impact? Let’s let Humphries count the ways:

1. Go downfield to block if the ball is handed off or a pass is caught behind the line of scrimmage.

2. Go downfield after a forward pass has crossed the neutral zone and take a lateral.

3. Catch a backward pass behind the line of scrimmage and advance with the ball.

4. Catch a backward pass and then throw the football.

5. Catch a backward snap and run or throw the football.

6. Take a reverse pitch behind the line of scrimmage and then advance with the football.

7. Line up in the backfield and take a handoff or lead block.

8. Line up on the line of scrimmage and then back off and go in motion, if five ineligible players remain on the line of scrimmage.

Fair enough, but it doesn’t sound as exciting of the idea of a 6-foot-6, 300-pound center chugging downfield on a post pattern and snagging a 70-yard touchdown pass.

--Ben Bolch

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