Did I get this right?
 

Working a scrimmage yesterday, and I'm a rookie FB official.

I'm on the wing, and the receiver on my side jumps forward before the snap, but not into the neutral zone. I threw the flag and whistled it dead for false start.

It occurred to me afterward that this could have been IM, motion toward the line. But I reasoned that, since he had jumped, not merely stepped or rocked toward the line, he had made a motion simulating the snap and so false start was the right call.

Is that right? TIA.

I think you got it perfect. Nothing good would have happened by letting that go.

Sounds like you got it. Any action by the offense that simulates the start of the play is a false start so missing the snap count is a false start.

Sometimes a coach may challenge you saying, "He is a wide-out....he can reset!" Unless he is asking a question, simply ignore it.

Perhaps not so much a wideout, but a setback "exploding" forward for one step, then turning into a legal motion pattern is likely doing so for the express purpose of inducing a false start by the defense, especially when there's "short yardage".

It's a move that can catch us by surprise, which is why it's a good idea for officials to converge, briefly discuss and agree on who the guilty party actually is on FS/Encroachment situations.

Canadian Ruling
 

CANADIAN RULING:

Legal.

Good call!!
 

There's nothing that receiver could have done to rectify the fact that he jumped; therefore, it is a foul before the snap. Shutting it down was the correct thing to do. Furthermore, any time you can shut the play down, I say do it. You'll know what I'm talking about the first time you call back a 75 yd TD run because of IM.

Good Call!!
 

From your description it sounds as though the back jumped as if he missed the snap count or was anxious to go out for a pass.

Usually, a back who goes in motion will start in a deliberate motion. Then sometimes you will be a back who starts before the snap count and just kind of takes a stationary motion as if to say, I didn't really blow the snap count, I'm just getting an early start.

Give yourself a thumbs up on this one!

Did he simulate the start of the play or not? Only you can answer that question. If you saw it that "yes, he did" then you made the right call.
Oh, and welcome to the fraternity.

When you see it you know they missed the snap count, and from what you are saying you saw, you got it right!! Nice job rookie!!!!