Discussion point for upcoming meeting

[Robert Goodman]

This is why the rules used to refer to shifting by the criterion of motion of both feet. I wonder why they changed that.

[bisonlj]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

This is why the rules used to refer to shifting by the criterion of motion of both feet. I wonder why they changed that.

Could it be because a QB going from a standing position to under center or a player going from a 2 point stance to a 3 point stance would not move both feet?

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by bisonlj

Could it be because a QB going from a standing position to under center or a player going from a 2 point stance to a 3 point stance would not move both feet?

No, because they didn't care about that then. It was a substantive change, not a clarif'n of something already understood or intended. If the QB looked like he still had body motion forward at the snap to help him with a sneak, it was considered illegal motion. The rule then also meant the QB could give a motion signal by raising & lowering one foot, and that plus the motion of the man in motion did not constitute a shift. It still isn't considered a shift, but that's because officials are now ruling on the intent of the rule, while back then the wording supported them directly.

Robert

[Forksref]

I called a false start on a shotgun QB: bending over and moving his hands in a jerking motion. Had he been slower and smoother, it would have been nothing.

In the OP, I have nothing.