Illegal Motion example

[will27]

"Only one  man is allowed in motion at any given point before the snap." 

Briefly, if flanker Z runs left, behind and parallel to the LOS, while simultaneously halfback H runs right, behind and parallel to the LOS, is it a motion penalty --- even if both men stop for one second prior to the snap?

Thanks.

[Legacy Zebra]

No, this a legal shift.

[Diablo]

"Only one  man is allowed in motion at any given point before the snap." 

I'm curious.  Where did you get that quote?

[NVFOA_Ump]

As Legacy Zebra notes, as described this is a legal shift.  As Diablo hints at, we want to be very careful about using language that is not consistent with the rules.  The primary rules references are below.

Rule 2-22-1. Shift
a. A shift is a simultaneous change of position or stance by two or more offensive players after the ball is ready for play before the snap for a scrimmage down (A.R. 7-1-3-I-II and A.R. 7-1-2-I-IV).
b. The shift ends when all players have been motionless for one full second.
c. The shift continues if one or more players are in motion before the end of the one second interval.

Rule 7-1-4-b. Man in Motion
1. One back may be in motion, but he may not be moving toward his opponent’s goal line.
2. The player who goes in motion may not start from the line of scrimmage unless he first becomes a back and comes to a complete stop.
3. A player in motion at the snap must have satisfied the one-second rule—i.e., he may not start his motion before any shift has ended (Rule 2-22-1-c).

[will27]

>>I'm curious.  Where did you get that quote?


From Daryl (Moose) Johnson's book "Watching Football."
It sounded confusing, which is why I posted the question.
Thanks for clarification.