Before the set

[UmpJM]

blueump,

I completely agree with bob jenkins' statement that this a balk.

It would have also been a balk if, after taking the rubber and getting his signs, he had started to go from "stretch" to "set" and stopped before bringing his hands together.

Once he starts to go from stretch to set, he must do so "without interruption and in one continuous motion".

JM