Illegal motion question (FED)

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by voiceoflg

The kicker takes a step forward, the ball is snapped, he stops and then starts again.

This very foul was called against Cal last night. The field goal attempt was good but brought back for IM. The kicker missed from 5 yards back. Cost them the game, which they lost by 2.

[TXMike]

It gets brought up on a message board and then it happens!

YouTube - IllMotionFlsStrtKicker

[jaybird]

Appears that the kicker stopped and reset therefore eliminating the illegal motion possibility.

[TXMike]

Yep, and the false start should have shut it down

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by TXMike

Yep, and the false start should have shut it down

I agree.

[Robert Goodman]

I don't see it as a false start (ball remains dead) but as an illegal shift. But that's an ongoing argument here -- the concept of unintentionally simulating the start of play.

[Canned Heat]

I would've blown this dead as a FS....in my FED world, of course.

[TXMike]

Speaking to the video and NCAA rules, it IS a false start as the kicker's actions simulate the start of the play.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by jaybird

Appears that the kicker stopped and reset therefore eliminating the illegal motion possibility.

He was not set for a second, except in slow motion.

At any rate, that was the ruling on the field (not reviewable). Looked right to me in real time: remember that the snap began well before the ball got to the holder.

[voiceoflg]

Excellent. Thank you all very much for educating me.