Bump at the Line Survey

[Charlie-49ers]

The current rule is that a player designated to Bump must be within 10 yards of the LOS. I cannot remember why we picked 10 yards but my observation of NFL Bumps has such a defender within 5 yards of the LOS, which might be an NFL rule. Does anyone want to clarify or give an opinion?

I think 5 yards is appropriate and would like to limit that for new Custom plays. I would also like to start fixing existing plays if 5 yards is correct.

[Mitch-Oilers]

I think it's illegal to touch a WR after 5 yards.

[Charlie-49ers]

I think it's illegal to touch a WR after 5 yards.

That was my point.

[Jerry-Redskins]

I think it was changed due to the sudden all bump and run at the LOS faux blitzes. I seen to remember that's when it was set to a minimum and only 3 without a delay. Only thing I can remember on them

[Bryan-Rams]

As I recall, one of the issues with the Bump at the LOS was the number of defensive holding calls. Backing the DB off the LOS lessoned that from happening. 10 yards seems to be working fine, why mess with it?

[Neil-Raiders]

Per the Play Pool Rules on the forum:

D02: Bump-at-line (Current PNL Rule)
...Bump players must be within 10-yards, but not less than 5-yards of the LOS.

The NFL rule would be LOS - within 5 yards of LOS. Changing to this would be more 'realistic' and would likely result in more big pass plays due to missed bumps, but it would also probably lead to more sacks due to inadvertent blitzes.

I would vote to stay with the current rule because it probably results in overall more realistic M2M coverage based upon the limitations of the game engine.

[Justin-Chicago]

The current rule is that a player designated to Bump must be within 10 yards of the LOS. I cannot remember why we picked 10 yards but my observation of NFL Bumps has such a defender within 5 yards of the LOS, which might be an NFL rule. Does anyone want to clarify or give an opinion?

I think 5 yards is appropriate and would like to limit that for new Custom plays. I would also like to start fixing existing plays if 5 yards is correct.

Well if the defensive player is 10 yards away pre-snap and has bump at line logic then he heads to the LOS to bump within 0-5 yards or so depending on how vertical the receiver’s route is right? If so I believe our rule already aligns with the NFL. Changing it to 5 yards pre-snap would put the actual bump within 2.5 yards.

[Dean-Atlanta]

I think keeping the starting point of the bumping defender between 5-10 yards makes sense.

[Matt-Jacksonville]

Isn't there something logic related that causes an AI buster if you don't do bump and run just right?

[Tim-Colts]

It seems like receivers that don't start with "Look for Pass" logic right at the start of the route are more susceptible getting grabbed by a bump at the line DB. Then it causes more defensive holding calls, giving the offense free first downs.

I think the rule is fine as Justin pointed out, the defender will tend to run at the WR and close the gap. This will make the bump happen within the allotted 5 yards of LOS.