Illegal Snap, Motion?

[Ed Hickland]

Originally Posted by Simbio

A friend who coaches little league asked me this scenario. I wasn't positive, so I thought I would post it here:

Team A has 7 men on the line of scrimmage. Team A is in a "swinging gate" formation (all offensive players are lined up far out to the side) with no one standing over the ball. Receiver A80 motions towards the ball, and hikes it sideways in one conitinuous motion. Legal? Or does he have to set for one full second before hiking the ball?

Got to love little league "coaches."

Of course this is not legal. First of all for an end to go in motion he must be five yards in the backfield at the snap which precludes him snapping the ball unless he has his own superhero show.

Second, the end going in motion would leave only six men on the line, therefore, illegal formation.

Third, the snapper must face the line of scrimmage (the ball can be snapped in one continous motion sideways).

Fourth, the snapper must be in a set position to snap the ball.

This "coach" needs a copy of Football Coaching for Dummies.