Which of the following is the correct penalty for having an ineligible player downfield during a pass play?

When a player is considered ineligible and is downfield during a pass play, the appropriate penalty is indeed the 5-yard penalty for illegal formation. This situation typically arises when players who are not eligible receivers, such as offensive linemen, move downfield beyond the line of scrimmage during a forward pass attempt. The rule aims to maintain fairness in how eligible and ineligible players operate during a play.

In this specific case, the infraction occurs primarily because the offensive formation does not comply with the rules defining eligible and ineligible players. The penalty helps maintain the integrity of the passing game, ensuring that only eligible players can legally participate in receiving passes.

The other choices suggest penalties for different infractions. While illegal procedure also results in a 5-yard penalty, it pertains to different situations not specifically tied to ineligible players making movements during a pass play. The 10-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct would not apply in this context, as it pertains to behavior deemed inappropriate rather than structural irregularities related to player eligibility. Additionally, if no penalty were assessed, the integrity of the game would be compromised, allowing ineligible players to gain an unfair advantage in the play. Thus, the correct consequence for this situation is the 5