False Start of Illegal Shift

[john_faz]

Quick Question:

How are you calling the situation when the offensive players are not set before the snap? The situation I'm think of usually involves a wide-out taking his time getting set and the snap occuring while they are jogging out to their position. I have been calling this an illegal shift. Correct or not?

Thanks.

[wisref2]

Your instincts are correct.

Read Rule 2 - definitions. Don't have it handy, but a false start is defined as action that simulates action at the snap. Players don't normally "not get set" when the ball is snapped - so it's an illegal shift.

Same with going into a three-point stance at the time the ball is snapped. Players don't normally go into a three point stance when the ball is snapped, so it is illegal motion.

[bigjohn]

ART. 6 . . . After a huddle or shift all 11 players of A shall come to an absolute
stop and shall remain stationary simultaneously without movement of hands,
feet, head or body for at least one second before the snap.

PENALTY: Illegal formation (Arts. 1, 2, 3) – (S19); illegal snap (Art. 4) – (S7-
19); illegal numbering (Art. 5) – (S19); illegal shift (Art. 6) – (S20); illegal
motion (Art. 7) – (S20); planned loose-ball infraction (Art. 8) – (S19) – 5 yards.

[HLin NC]

It is a false start if:
a. A shift or feigned charge simulates action at the snap.
b. Any act is clearly intended to cause B to encroach.
c. Any A player on his line between the snapper and the player on the end of
his line, after having placed a hand(s) on or near the ground, moves his
hand(s) or makes any quick movement.

Best way to think about a false start is the offender is usually set. Never stopping would be a shift. Going foward but not simulating the snap action is illegal motion.

False start is the only one you want to kill.

[paxsonref]

Kill this play in NCAA.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by paxsonref

Kill this play in NCAA.

And in a lot of areas in HS games, too.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by paxsonref

Kill this play in NCAA.

Sigh... fine, I'll bite. WHY? Rule doesn't say to. And don't pull out the "nothing good can come of this play so kill it" crap or we'll all know you've got no clue.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by wisref2

Same with going into a three-point stance at the time the ball is snapped. Players don't normally go into a three point stance when the ball is snapped, so it is illegal motion.

Going to 3 points is a shift. If the ball is snapped less than a second later, it's an illegal shift foul, not illegal motion.

What players "normally do" is not part of the false start, shift, or motion rules.

[wisref2]

Originally Posted by mbyron

What players "normally do" is not part of the false start, shift, or motion rules.

Well, actually it is if you want to help someone understand the rule rather than just answering a rule question by quoting the rule (if he understood the rule, he wouldn't be asking the question in the first place!).

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by wisref2

Well, actually it is if you want to help someone understand the rule rather than just answering a rule question by quoting the rule (if he understood the rule, he wouldn't be asking the question in the first place!).

Disagree. We don't teach people to understand the rule by teaching them concepts that have nothing to do with those in the rule. "Normally do" and "simulating action at the snap" are unrelated.

We teach people to understand the rule by using video, on-field training, and discussion to show them they types of play that do and do not fall under the prohibition of the rule. That way they learn to recognize "simulating action at the snap" and other concepts in the rules.