Interesting play last night. Team A is set. It s tailback VERY SLOWLY comes up (did not simulate the snap or anythingjust came up) turned around to look at the clock.Got back down in his set and the play ran. I saw the play in front of me, and thought false start. But he did not move anything except his body up and turned his head. NO ONE from defense moved, so I did not call it. Asked umpire and both wings. They were like "did not know what he was doing". The defenseive coaches did NOT yell for a flag at all.

Anyone seen something like this before?

Should this have been called?

I am sure some purists would disagree, but I agree with your call. No advantage was gained, the defense did not move. If the defense had encroached, I would have flagged for illegal procedure.

No reason that anyone should object to this ruling. As described he clearly did not commit a false start. Backs can move as long as they don't simulate action at the snap.

Canadian Ruling
 

We actually have a rule to cover this. Once a line player assumes a 3- or 4-point stance, he may not break that stance. (4.3.4)

[Edited by JugglingReferee on Sep 5th, 2004 at 12:55 PM]