Illegal shift?

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by johnny1784

The quarterback (A1) says ready, set... then backs A2 & A3 move simultaneously to reset in different positions in backfield for 1 second... then ball is snapped. Would there be a penalty for Illegal Shift? Can players in backfield move to reset after other players have been in a set position?

You're thinking about this backwards. Don't worry about who's allowed to shift: everyone is allowed to shift, all 11 A players.

Instead, think from the snap: at the snap, you have 2 legal possibilities.
1. All 11 A players are set and have been set for at least 1 second at the snap.
2. All 11 A players have been set for at least 1 second, then 1 A player goes in motion legally, and then the ball is snapped.

As long as A does one of those 2, they can shift and reshift to their hearts' content until they've used up the play clock.