Fourth and four on K's 45 yard line. The ends for K are tight and properly numbered in a three point stance. The punter gives a "hard" count and the two ends simultaneously back off the line with their hands up in front of them as if blocking.

Referee and linejudge throw flags and blow the play dead. "False start by the kicking team." K's coach says they've done nothing wrong. They were only in the process of shifting. The white hat agreed and waived off the flags.

I contend that it was obvious the play was designed to draw the defense off sides and the kicking team should have been penalized. Your thoughts, please.

If the movement was enough to send two flags flying, it sounds like a false start. Did it cause any of the defense to move?

That is one of those had to be there plays..there has been a lot of discussion regarding "trickery" lately. We have a WH who is also working D1 ball, his contention on a play such as this is, if there is no advantage gained, on a play that is technically legal, but somewhat questionable, alow it to stand. For example if the defense encroaches due to the action then penalize if they don't then pass on the flag if you can...It sounds to me though that the flags were for what clearly looked like action at the snap...as a WH I would have a hard time waiving those off...

Standing up and backing up are not illegal (although they would obviously have to reset for 1 second before the snap). However, the throwing up of the hands as if to block is CLEARLY "simulating the beginning of the play", or simulating the snap. There's no question that this is false start.

I agree
 

I agree with the others that this is simulating action at the snap. When the K players put their hands up and went back at the same time the play's creator obviously had deception intended to draw R into the NZ to gain an advantage. Especially in the situation of 4th & 4. False start all the way.

It pains me that some coaches still try to design
"tricks" to draw the defense into encroachment when
they can't get the first down the "honest" way.
We should be flagging those things, if
(and this is key) it simulates action at the snap !
From the description here (players simulating blocking)
it should not be allowed.
Have fun out there !

False start PLUS "lying to an official" by a coach. (If only we had a penalty for THAT foul!!!) ;-)

"Dead ball."

"False start on the offense."

"Still 4th down."

TWEET!!

Hey TXMike, there aren't enough flags to cover all those lies!!