Post by theref on Feb 26, 2006 17:55:38 GMT
Shifts vs Motion vs False start
Rule - "As in tackle football, one player may be in motion, but not in motion towards the opponents endzone at the snap"
Clarification - A distinction needs to be made between a false start, motion and a shift. An offensive false start is "A player moving, after assuming set position, in such manner as to lead defense to believe snap has started." Motion is when "one player moves after assuming a set position. There is also no requirement to be re-set for a second on a motion, the only requirement is that the player in motion cannot be moving towards the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped...although he can move towards the LOS as part of his motion just as long as the ball isnt snapped at that time." A shift is when "2 or more players simultaneously move before the ball is snapped and they must all be set for 1 second before the ball can be legally snapped."
Application - Firstly, officials should judge false start. Any movement that is deemeed as "simulating the start of a play/snap" is false start and should be called appropriately. A motion by one player is fine and obviously the rules regarding direction and that only 1 player is in motion need to be applied. For shifts a general rule of thumb is that shifts are organised movements of more than one player at the same time in order for them to lineup in a different. If they dont all move at the same time it's probably false start. Also watch out for the failure to re-set for a second after a shift. The only penalty which is a dead ball one is false start. All others should be flagged and the penalty assessed at the end of the play.
Offensive player lined up offside
Rule - None!
Clarification - Offensive offside is when a player from the offensive team is either lined up in the neutral zone (length of the ball) or on the defensive side of the ball when the ball is snapped.
Application - Despite this not actually being listed in the EFAF official rules it is a penalty that should be enforced. Offensive players need to be lined up "behind the ball" on the offensive side with the exception of the center who is allowed to have his head over the ball. The penalty for offensive offside is 5 yards from the previous spot and should be flagged when the ball is snapped. The penalty can be declined by the defence if they so choose.
Rule - "As in tackle football, one player may be in motion, but not in motion towards the opponents endzone at the snap"
Clarification - A distinction needs to be made between a false start, motion and a shift. An offensive false start is "A player moving, after assuming set position, in such manner as to lead defense to believe snap has started." Motion is when "one player moves after assuming a set position. There is also no requirement to be re-set for a second on a motion, the only requirement is that the player in motion cannot be moving towards the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped...although he can move towards the LOS as part of his motion just as long as the ball isnt snapped at that time." A shift is when "2 or more players simultaneously move before the ball is snapped and they must all be set for 1 second before the ball can be legally snapped."
Application - Firstly, officials should judge false start. Any movement that is deemeed as "simulating the start of a play/snap" is false start and should be called appropriately. A motion by one player is fine and obviously the rules regarding direction and that only 1 player is in motion need to be applied. For shifts a general rule of thumb is that shifts are organised movements of more than one player at the same time in order for them to lineup in a different. If they dont all move at the same time it's probably false start. Also watch out for the failure to re-set for a second after a shift. The only penalty which is a dead ball one is false start. All others should be flagged and the penalty assessed at the end of the play.
Offensive player lined up offside
Rule - None!
Clarification - Offensive offside is when a player from the offensive team is either lined up in the neutral zone (length of the ball) or on the defensive side of the ball when the ball is snapped.
Application - Despite this not actually being listed in the EFAF official rules it is a penalty that should be enforced. Offensive players need to be lined up "behind the ball" on the offensive side with the exception of the center who is allowed to have his head over the ball. The penalty for offensive offside is 5 yards from the previous spot and should be flagged when the ball is snapped. The penalty can be declined by the defence if they so choose.