Another Type of Deception - Legal?

[cw3Retired]

OK, I have read some of the deception messages (tee, shoe, etc.). All of these dealt with some type of deception PRIOR to the snap.

I had this one Thursday night in a 12-under playoff game as the umpire. Please give me your thoughts.

A comes to the line on a 3rd and 5. All players establish legal positions, and come set for the required one second. The snapper is on the line, facing the left tackle. He reaches down and in a legal snap motion, hands the ball to the quarterback. The QB runs left with the ball out in front of him, as if to go to the sideline to show the ball to someone. About 5 yards from the sideline, he turns upfield and runs untouched for a touchdown.

We allowed the play to stand. If we blew it, please tell me by the book where.

Thanks.

[BktBallRef]

Originally posted by cw3Retired
All players establish legal positions, and come set for the required one second. The snapper is on the line, facing the left tackle. He reaches down and in a legal snap motion, hands the ball to the quarterback.

I'm having trouble envisioning this. Could you elaborate? Was the center facing the opponent's goal line with his shoulders parallel to the LOS? Did he not touch the ball until after everyone was set? Please describe the snap.

[bigwhistle]

I was wondering the same thing. Was this a circus team full of contortionists?

[cw3Retired]

Originally posted by BktBallRef

I'm having trouble envisioning this. Could you elaborate? Was the center facing the opponent's goal line with his shoulders parallel to the LOS? Did he not touch the ball until after everyone was set? Please describe the snap.

BktballRef,

You have hit upon what I believe was our mistake. The center's shoulders were facing his sideline. He was 90 degrees away from a normal lineman's position. His snap was from such that the ball passed in front of him from right to left to the QB.

He did not touch the ball until everyone was set.

I think we did a hatchet job on it, but at the time we couldn't come up with a reason why.

Thanks.

[BktBallRef]

Remember that a snap has to be a backwards pass. If he bent down, and picked up the ball, then the initial movement is up, not backwards and the snap would be illegal.

If he bends down to grasp the ball after everyone else is set, this is a shift since a lineman cannot go in motion. The requirement that all 11 players be set for 1 second has not been met untilall shifts are complete and he sets for one second prior to the snap.

Also, he must be lined up with his shoulders parallel to the opponent's goal line and the LOS.

So you have 3 possible penalties to choose from, depending on what actually happened.