Before the Ready for Play...

[bisonlj]

Originally Posted by verticalStripes

Bob M. I agree with you. There is nothing that I could find in the rule/case book ( Fed) that says the offense cannot put their hand on the ball. If they snap immediately after the RFP, the play is OK provided the entire offense was set for one second before the snap. Being set for one second could occur before the RFP. The only potential problem that I could find is the split ends not being inside the 9 yard marks. That must occur after the RFP.

Don't forget the philosophy behind the 9 yard mark rule. It's intended to prevent deception. If this happens and the DB is lined up with the receiver outside the 9 yard marks, you don't have a foul. That doesn't violate the spirit of the rule and is just common sense.