False Start of Illegal Shift

[Ia-Ref]

Illegal shift is a foul at the snap. Just like a player in motion going forward. Live ball foul.
You cannot asume the player will not get set before the snap or if two are in motion that they both will not set.

The play should be allowed to continue because:
B could foul on the play (double foul, reply), A could lose yardage so the penalty would be declined, A could have a more serious foul (multiple foul - B choice), A could fumble or throw an interception.

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by Ia-Ref

Illegal shift is a foul at the snap. Just like a player in motion going forward. Live ball foul.
You cannot asume the player will not get set before the snap or if two are in motion that they both will not set.

The play should be allowed to continue because:
B could foul on the play (double foul, reply), A could lose yardage so the penalty would be declined, A could have a more serious foul (multiple foul - B choice), A could fumble or throw an interception.

We are also advised to shut the play down if the motion/shift is designed to draw the defense into an encroachment. Example, a team goes in motion frequently throuout the game with a set back taking an even tempo step forward and then going either left or right.

In a critical short yardage situation, usually late in the game, the same team puts the same man in motion with an exaggerated explosion out of his set position, and if the defense is smart and ignores it, then turns either right or left. Flagging as a false start usually stops any repeat attempts, or if the defense mistakenly bites on the first attempt.