Illegal Motion?

Ed Hickland · #1 (**permalink**) Tue Jan 07, 2003, 10:37am

This happened in a junior high game.

I was working one wing when a player on my side went in motion away from me. As he passed the player under the snapper he made a three-quarter turn ending up facing the LOS. But instead of coming to a stop he ran in place.

My thoughts were he was technically in motion but he had not advanced toward the LOS. However, the other wing flagged him for being in motion toward the line.

Who was right?

[Edited by Ed Hickland on Jan 7th, 2003 at 11:56 AM]

Theisey · #2 (**permalink**) Tue Jan 07, 2003, 10:57am

Just about every college team in the country runs this kind of play and as long as he is not moving towards the Line of scrimmage he is legally "in motion".

Moving towards the line includes the action of his upper body even if is feet are staying in the same spot while he runs-in-place.

If done correctly, this is not a foul.

JMN · #3 (**permalink**) Tue Jan 07, 2003, 02:54pm

I agree, and there's nothing wrong with a player in motion that chooses to face the opponents goal line and run sideways.