QB Under Center then Backs Out to Get Play

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by mbyron

True. The OP omitted to say "...and the ball is snapped..." in both plays. For the questions to have much interest, one must assume that the ball has been snapped during the motion.

B specifically mentions the snap and when it occurs. I've seen guys flag this immediately (and then catch hell - from coaches, crew chiefs, supervisors, etc). In A, I've seen people flag this too, and then not blow it dead. Just trying to clarify.

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

In A, I've seen people flag this too, and then not blow it dead. Just trying to clarify.

The penalty for the illegal movement of two players is an Illegal Shift, which is a live ball foul. There is no reason to blow the play dead, if both players (as well as the rest of the team) were to stop moving, and pause for 1 full second, before the snap, there's been no foul. It only becomes a foul if the movement continues to the snap.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by ajmc

The penalty for the illegal movement of two players is an Illegal Shift, which is a live ball foul. There is no reason to blow the play dead, if both players (as well as the rest of the team) were to stop moving, and pause for 1 full second, before the snap, there's been no foul. It only becomes a foul if the movement continues to the snap.

I'm aware of everything you said. What was the point?

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

I'm aware of everything you said. What was the point?

I may have misunderstood your comment above, "In A, I've seen people flag this too, and then not blow it dead. Just trying to clarify.", to suggest the play should be blown dead, where as rereading it might also suggest the flag being thrown immediately is premature.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by ajmc

I may have misunderstood your comment above, "In A, I've seen people flag this too, and then not blow it dead. Just trying to clarify.", to suggest the play should be blown dead, where as rereading it might also suggest the flag being thrown immediately is premature.

Yes... the flag is inappropriate on this play.

If for some reason you DO throw a flag during pre-snap motion, you better be throwing it for a false start and killing it. You can't (correctly) have a flag and not kill it.