WR - false start vs. illegal motion vs. illegal shift

[stegenref]

[Define "started moving"]

He started moving in that he leaned forward, then took a step, and crossed the line of scrimmage...he was heading out to either block or run a pattern.

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by stegenref

[Define "started moving"]

He started moving in that he leaned forward, then took a step, and crossed the line of scrimmage...he was heading out to either block or run a pattern.

If it was Fed rules you'd kill the play for encroachment. Otherwise unless it qualified as a false start (which it probably didn't), he can get back and reset a second before the snap, to avoid a foul for either encroachment or illegal motion (encroachment being the easier call) as the ball becomes live, which can lead to an enforcement or declination (or cancellation) of penalty.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

If it was Fed rules you'd kill the play for encroachment. Otherwise unless it qualified as a false start (which it probably didn't), he can get back and reset a second before the snap, to avoid a foul for either encroachment or illegal motion (encroachment being the easier call) as the ball becomes live, which can lead to an enforcement or declination (or cancellation) of penalty.

He missed the snap count. This is a false start.

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

He missed the snap count. This is a false start.

Maybe this is the way they rule now -- that you can accidentally simulate the start of play, rather than that simulation be understood to mean a deliberate act. All I know is that years ago, when the wording of the false start rule on this point was the same, wide receivers would sometimes be yards downfield at the snap, and play was allowed to proceed with team B being given the option. (Of course that was under Fed or non-Fed rules that didn't kill the play with the offside.)

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

Maybe this is the way they rule now -- that you can accidentally simulate the start of play, rather than that simulation be understood to mean a deliberate act. All I know is that years ago, when the wording of the false start rule on this point was the same, wide receivers would sometimes be yards downfield at the snap, and play was allowed to proceed with team B being given the option. (Of course that was under Fed or non-Fed rules that didn't kill the play with the offside.)

Huh?

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by waltjp

Huh?

I think he's talking about Australian Rules Football...

[BroKen62]

Originally Posted by Welpe

I think he's talking about Australian Rules Football...

sounds more like star wars to me.

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by Welpe

I think he's talking about Australian Rules Football...

No, it's just that I've been watching football longer than some of you have been alive, and the same words in the rule haven't always been interpreted the way some of you think is so routine & obvious.