False start or offside?

[Kalle]

A potentially interesting play situation from the other forum.

3/4 at A-40.  Team A is in tight formation - 2 tight ends and 2 flanker backs just outside the 2 tight ends with a single running back in the backfield. The same alignment that they have used for 1st and 2nd down.

QB A11 looks over the alignment, goes under center A51 and calls ready, then set.  On the "set", all 7 A linemen go from standing up to "down" position, but instead of hand(s) on the ground, rest forearms on their knees.  On next sound, the 6 linemen, except for the snapper A51, who never moves, quickly step back and stand up.  Ball is not snapped but team B linemen B61, B62, B63 and B64 cross the LOS and contact team A linemen.

What do we have, and what are the keys here in deciding either false start on A or offside on B?

[DallasLJ]

"quickly step back" I am going False Start for simulating the start of the play.

[ElvisLives]

I, too, saw that on the other forum, and wanted to scream, “FALSE START!!!!” But, I don’t know NFHS rules, and they don’t like NCAA folks commenting on their issues. I have a feeling their rules haven’t migrated toward preventing actions by either team that attempt to cause opponents to react into a foul before the snap. Although not as clear as I’d like to see in the rules, Shaw has made it pretty clear in videos that quick/abrupt movements intended to cause opponents (either team) to react are fouls.
By the description offered, this is a false start in NCAA rules football. I would hope that NFHS would follow suit.

[dammitbobby]

Also FST for me, and if I’m the wing on that side, I’m telling that coach when he complains that had he brought it up in pregame, we would have told him it wasn’t legal and saved him from getting penalized.

[Kalle]

I agree with the above, and IMO any abrupt and most other movement by a team A lineman at a sound by the QB when the defense is expecting the ball to be snapped is a FST. Backs have more leeway.

[Bulldog75]

Similar question I had from a game earlier this season.  The QB makes a signal and a back lined up near the tackle makes an abrupt move to go in motion across the formation.  No one else moves and the ball is snapped.  The defense does not react to the back's motion, but I could see where they might have as the movement was so abrupt.  Would we only consider a false start penalty if the back moves forward?

[dammitbobby]

Similar question I had from a game earlier this season.  The QB makes a signal and a back lined up near the tackle makes an abrupt move to go in motion across the formation.  No one else moves and the ball is snapped.  The defense does not react to the back's motion, but I could see where they might have as the movement was so abrupt.  Would we only consider a false start penalty if the back moves forward?

Bolded answer - as long as no one reacts, then I would not flag it the first time, but I would definitely let the back and his coach know that if B does, it will be on them.

JMO; much smarter and more wiser minds than mine may feel otherwise, and you should probably listen to them instead, .

[ElvisLives]

Similar question I had from a game earlier this season.  The QB makes a signal and a back lined up near the tackle makes an abrupt move to go in motion across the formation.  No one else moves and the ball is snapped.  The defense does not react to the back's motion, but I could see where they might have as the movement was so abrupt.  Would we only consider a false start penalty if the back moves forward?

IMHO, from what Shaw has said in several video reviews, this can, and should, be considered a false start, even if his direction is always lateral or backward. If it “…’similates’ (simulates) action at the snap…,” it is a false start. But, it needs an abrupt first step. A smooth first step, followed by a quick acceleration would not qualify.