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This is going to be a judgment call every time and there is no easy consistent way to apply it. Done correctly, it is legal whether the offense had been shifting in the past or not. While we may suspect they are trying to draw an encroachment foul, it is hard to penalize intent!
I have had coaches tell us in pre-game they will use the “Dallas Shift” and they do it a very smooth and consistent manner. I warn them that it is a judgment call every time he runs it. I try to put them on notice that they are subject to a false start if done improperly.
I tell my wingmen and umpire if “they” (the official) reacted as if it were the start of a play, it is probably a false start. And it has nothing to do with whether the defense jumped. The easy call is encroachment. The grunts, slinging of arms above the head (as I have seen), very quick movements or if the shift is not done with some unison makes it much easier to call a false start without reading intent into it. Each play must stand on its own merit.
With a false start you can also expect to hear the proverb “We’ve done it that way all year”. Sooooo? What’s you point??
Simply put, if it looks like the start of a play (judgment) and the ball was not snapped – I have a false start. Tough call and I want guys in my crew that will make them!
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