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Originally Posted by Smiley
Are there any restrictions as to who may legally shift?
At our association meeting last night, it was stated that if the tight end is covered up, he is restricted from shifting off the line until the wide out who is covering him first shifts off the line. To do otherwise would be a false start. I pointed out that this was only true if the covered up tight end has placed a hand on the ground. An argument ensued and I was asked to find the rule coverage that backed me up. Of course I couldn't because there is no restriction on who may shift. I used the example of the swinging gate, in which most of the linemen shift. The initial response was that this was legal because the linemen weren't "set". When I didn't buy that one, the response was that the swinging gate was legal because the snapper wasn't over the ball yet. Where do they get this stuff? This is from an experienced official.
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Well, this is my guess on this one.
A "set" lineman in a two point stance(which is essentially what this cover tight end is) I'd say he couldn't shift to become a back. What's the difference between him getting to move to become a back and him rocking back slightly preparing to pass block? If you are a set lineman you can't move in my recollection of my playing days. I'll get on again tonight with books and see if I can back any of my babbling up with actual rules. (LOL hey imagine that...Maybe I should think of doing that before babbling on post like this)
