I don't want to come off as "That Soccer Guy," but I was a referee in high school (I got paid to do a bad impersonation of a linesman) and when you read the FIFA rulebook, it is so much more efficient than that of the American sports (basketball excepted). There are just so many stupid rules in football that I never even knew about. Stifling creativity indeed.

A subdivision of all A-11 teams? rofl^rofl. These people were 100% convinced they were going to make a million dollars selling these books and tapes, and don't want to admit that it was a stupid idea to begin with.

As Smart Football has pointed out, it'd probably be a much smarter idea for them to petition to change the eligible number rule. The Scrimmage Kick formation loophole thing is kind of dumb, and seeing how the rule was completely different in college, it didn't have many prospects for upward mobility. From what little I've seen of it, it's just as well---it's just not that interesting to watch once you get used to the oddness of the spacing.

Woekie: I think the complexity of the football rulebook probably has a lot to do with the number of ways people have come up with to do silly things. Some of them date back to the time that football as a sport nearly got banned due to the severe violence ("flying wedge" formations, for instance).
Soccer rules aren't perfect either (although they do seem a bit simpler) - offsides, for instance, is impossible for the officials to get consistently correct since they have to see where the two most forward players are at the exact instant the ball is kicked (possibly from 20 or 30 yards upfield).

Does this mean teams will no longer be allowed to use standard punt formations if for some reason they want to kick it away on an early down?

As a life long football fan and being 44yrs old I've seen my share of football innovations. The West Coast offense was once too boring to survive the NFL yet every team on every level of play now have some version of it in their play book somewhere. Is it boring handsomesteve, maybe; effective definitely. While you are rolling on the floor laughing, 4.0 Point Stance, remember that Kurt Bryan and Steve Humphries are already making money off their innovation. There are Division I college teams, who play different rules, who are interested in spreading the field and want to develope their own version of the A11. Any stupid idea that makes a dollar isn't so stupid now is it? Those two guys are geniuses to take advantage of the rules that were in place. What disturbs me is that there was no outcry of foul play when they first put the A11 in place. They weren't winning so no one cared. The Piedmont Highlanders have a small program in a league where they are over powered by bigger schools with bigger players who are used to bullying little schools to pad their records and make it easier for them to make the play offs year after year. SpartanDan the "flying wedge" was ruled out in an era when players wore little or no protection. Like most brilliant ideas it was before its time. It still lives. Have you ever heard of a sweep, or an option offense, or how about the veer, or the counter trey. All of those are plays that evolved from the "flying wedge". All of them take advantage of blockers getting a running start. Back in the "flying wedge" days they didn't have linebackers only defensive linemen. The A11 offense protects the little guy from injury. Would you want your high school son to have to go head to head with a player that outweighs him by say 100 pounds several times a year for four years. What about the quarterback that does not have the protection? Does he have to risk injury more often just he goes to a school that doesn't have huge linemen? The big schools with their big boosters are angry because the little guy outsmarted the big bully. The NFHS should form a Competition Committee to keep the Rules Committee in check.

maybe if the refs payed closer attention to the players moves they wouldn't be so confused about it.

Remember when the forward pass was introduced into football?
The Defenses stood up and said a few expletives.............well gues what.............the forward pass was allowed after seeing the potential for the game and for the fans.
Same scenario, progress young man, progress.............all ahead full speed or Flank? If you were in the Navy you would know what that means. Congratulations to the coaches for devising this new innovative formation..............ya can't stop progress in spsorts

Just what till 4th down the new rule states that you can not use it 1st an 2nd an 3rd down not 4th

DAMN shame that sometimes, sometimes, them little schools play smarter not larger. I think it's pretty cool that they figured out something in the regs that allow them to compete with those that within the rules have more expensive weight rooms, tighter uniforms, more support etc etc etc. and guess what, isn't that just what the larger/richer schools are doing but nobody is outlawing that. Perhaps there should be a new rule that for every new dollar spent on atheletics, that perhaps 3 dollars should be spent on academics. ie library, textbooks, arts, etc.
talk about even playing fields, only real playing field that is equal is a basketball court. Same dimensions no matter where you go. Ask them Hoosiers. And I'm a football nut, inside and out.

DAMN shame that sometimes, sometimes, them little schools play smarter not larger. I think it's pretty cool that they figured out something in the regs that allow them to compete with those that within the rules have more expensive weight rooms, tighter uniforms, more support etc etc etc. and guess what, isn't that just what the larger/richer schools are doing but nobody is outlawing that. Perhaps there should be a new rule that for every new dollar spent on atheletics, that perhaps 3 dollars should be spent on academics. ie library, textbooks, arts, etc.
talk about even playing fields, only real playing field that is equal is a basketball court. Same dimensions no matter where you go. Ask them Hoosiers. And I'm a football nut, inside and out.

protest people protest. god, all these dumb rules only make football less entertaining,

sp. correction: sports..................I can't tipe too well, but I sure can spel !!!!!!!!!!!! If ya can't laugh at yourself, don't laugh at others

The NFHS changed the rule and said that on first, second and third down, there must be four players on the line with numbers 50-79. The snapper may have a number 1-49 or 80-89, but he is ineligible.
In essence, there can only be potentially six eligible receivers per down instead of 11 under the A-11.

It can still be run in College and the Pros, of course not every play but we'll still see A-11 next year.

Sounds like the NFL (No Fun League) Same ole crap all the time. The PAT by kicking should have gone out decades ago. Wow, how exciting is it to have a kicking come on to the field to kick an extra point? They all are about 99% accurate. The NFL shoud make them earn an extra point. Run or pass the damn thing in.

Hey, these aren't college or pro teams or players. Who cares about some stupid formation. Why don't you focus more on giving these kids an education, instead of blowing smoke up there butts about becoming pro superstars some day.

By the way...........I played football for Jim Thorpe H.S., there were all kinds of formations...........we didn't care what formations we faced or used, we just loved to play football. The referees must didn't like change and were status quo,,,,,,,,,wake up gentlemen, the new generation is showing us a new path............just because you were doing something for 80 years does not mean you were doing it RIGHT for 80 years..........

Ths is totally bull...
some one comes up with a great way to stifle a defense and for what...
because of what reason "they are confusing to officials"
and they call this unsportsman like....
the officals need to get a new job then....let the kids play...
if the other coaches cannot figer it out...well to bad....
Go A-11

Let the kids just play football!If their coach came up with something that works it is the opposing teams job to come up with something to stop it.This is a stupid rule,trick plays and wildcat plays are what keep football exciting.You have to shake things up from time to time,and this offense will eventually make the competition better and bring out the best in all the kids.LET THEM PLAY!!!

In response to "truefootballfan",
Here, here & amen brother!
The A-11 was banned because it was too confusing for officials to follow? What? Perhaps the Rules Committee needs to be reigned in!
Then why not do something with bettering the officials rather than chastising & banning a valid & rule abiding play by some very creative offensive coordinators!
Why not ban the 'quick-snap' as well? It also is too confusing to ask officials to be 100% involved in the game in case a heads-up quarterback sees an opportunity to catch a lazy defensive in substitutions. This is also is within the rules but perhaps Mr. Mike Webb views this as a loop-hole & unethical sportsman conduct too.
High school sports are difficult enough in attempting to keep competitive & safe with larger schools taking on smaller schools. Let the creative juices flow people!

wow such bs. was a great an offense and refs always have to ruin everything.

in response to "truefootballfan",
here, here & amen brother!
the a-11 was banned because it was too confusing for officials to follow? what? perhaps the rules committee needs to be reigned in!
then why not do something with bettering the officials rather than chastising & banning a valid & rule abiding play by some very creative offensive coordinators!
why not ban the 'quick-snap' as well? it also is too confusing to ask officials to be 100% involved in the game in case a heads-up quarterback sees an opportunity to catch a lazy defensive in substitutions. this is also is within the rules but perhaps mr. mike webb views this as a loop-hole & unethical sportsman conduct too.
high school sports are difficult enough in attempting to keep competitive & safe with larger schools taking on smaller schools. let the creative juices flow people!

there's a reason they don't do this garbage in college and the pros: it's a pretty stupid way to hurt your receivers. what moron would put a WR up against a defensive lineman?