Dead Ball Fouls

[Ed Hickland]

The quick reference answer is correct.

The common thread that defines dead ball versus live ball foul is whether or not the offender can correct the foul before the snap.

As you stated, false start, encroachment, snap infraction, illegal substitution cannot be corrected. Easy example is the snap infraction. Center starts to snap but stops motion. Cannot be undone.

Illegal motion, illegal shift can be undone before the snap. Man goes in motion toward the line of scrimmage -- the motion is illegal. But, he can come to a full stop for a second before the snap and that would correct what could have been a foul.

Action simulating a snap is tricky because a player who can go in motion makes a feigned move as though the snap had occurred. It is not motion and cannot be corrected. But requires good judgement.

Remember, what has been stated only applies to NFHS rules. There are differences in the NCAA rules.