Illegal shift/motion or not

[InsideTheStripe]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

No ... TX is right - this play is an illegal shift - but not because of the motion of the single lineman ... because of the previous motion of the other 10 - you still need more than 1 moving to create an illegal shift.

Mike, I understand the point TXMike was making. I understand the point you are making. I understand the difference between the two fouls. I just thought the language was a bit clumsy and might lead to further confusion for officials that haven't mastered the differences.

If someone is still trying to discern what constitutes and illegal shift v. illegal motion and reads a sentence like "a single lineman moving is NEVER a 'shift'", they may take that literally. They look up in their game and see only "a single lineman moving" at the snap and throw a flag for illegal motion despite the fact that all 11 were never set.

I just think you need to qualify the statement in order to be crystal clear. That's the only point I was trying to make.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

No ... TX is right - this play is an illegal shift - but not because of the motion of the single lineman ... because of the previous motion of the other 10 - you still need more than 1 moving to create an illegal shift.

Mike, this part is not correct for NFHS rules: a shift is defined as 1 or more moving before the set.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by mbyron

Mike, this part is not correct for NFHS rules: a shift is defined as 1 or more moving before the set.

Was referring to the specific case he had made.