Designed "Trick Play" on 3rd and 4

[NVFOA_Ump]

Had this play tonight.  A has a 3rd and 4 near midfield.  A is all in formation, with all A 11 players in tight formation - 2 tight ends and 2 flanker backs just outside the 2 tight ends. The same alignment that they have used for 1st and 2nd down.

 A-QB looks over the alignment, goes under center 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, who never moves, quickly step back and stand up.  Ball is not snapped but B line responds, and we have multiple pre-snap flags.  Multiple B players in the neutral zone and the ball has not moved.

What do we have, and what are the keys here in deciding either False Start on A or Encroachment on B?  Rule reference(s)?

[bama_stripes]

No question this is a FS.  The term “quickly step back and stand up” tells me they are simulating the start of a play.

[AlUpstateNY]

I'm sure, on this "Thanksgiving" morning, the Radio City Rockettes would be impressed, but even elaborately planned & well executed False Starts are worthy of
flags.  (Given the extent of planning & execution, you might consider walking off 5, slightly smaller "yards").

[ncwingman]

False start on A. No question.

If you need a rule, 7-1-7b, an act clearly intended to cause B to encroach.

[refjeff]

False start.  Read case book 7-1-7 situation B.

This is one of the fouls that some officials will never call.  Be better than them.

[NVFOA_Ump]

So this is the "rest of the story".  As the U in this game I'm with the R during a pre-game discussion with each of the head coaches.  When R asks A's head coach any "unusual" plays he describes his "reverse swinging gate" play used in short yardage situations where his entire line, except the center, "shifts" after QB calls set.  I tell him to be legal the players must not be simulating the start of a play and movement cannot be quick or sudden.  We then go to B's head coach and when he is asked the "unusual" question he says no, but I would like you to watch out for A's "false start" play, where all of their lineman quickly "shift" after the QB is under center and calls the set.  He even notes that his opinion is that this play is illegal per Rule 7.  After the play, with multiple flags down, we had a crew discussion and enforced a False Start penalty on A.

[NVFOA_Ump]

And the case play.

[NVFOA_Ump]

And one follow-up question.  Is there any way you can visualize this planned "false start" play being legal?  IE: very slow steady movement, stand up in place, then step back and shift, anything else?

[ncwingman]

And one follow-up question.  Is there any way you can visualize this planned "false start" play being legal?  IE: very slow steady movement, stand up in place, then step back and shift, anything else?

The only way I'd consider it legal is if they do that shift all the time, starting from play one. Maybe not the entire line, but hands-on-knees tight ends get up and move to the other side of the formation being a common movement the defense is used to seeing, and they do it with multiple players at once. The big "everybody moves" shift would also have to be very soon after they get to the line - so they're not set for 5 seconds, then shift, rather they shift soon enough that you think they were actually set in the first place.

In other words, this is a very high bar to clear and I doubt they will. Inherently, this is a shift intended to get B to encroach. The only way to ensure it's not a false start is to do it in a manner that doesn't cause B to encroach.

[bama_stripes]

And one follow-up question.  Is there any way you can visualize this planned "false start" play being legal?  IE: very slow steady movement, stand up in place, then step back and shift, anything else?

Had this just last week.  On their first attempt, they did it “quick”, which we shut down and penalized as a false start.  Their next attempt was exactly as you described, and we had no problem with it.

[animalspooker]

I agree, FS.  I am in constant disagreement with the State on Induced False starts.  Wish I could figure out how to post a video, I'd love y'alls opinion on one.

[Ralph Damren]

INHO...IF done on 1/10,2/20 & 3/4 every play =  ..B should have adjusted.
           IF not done UNTIL 3 or 4/4 =  FALSE START. ONLY DONE TO CAUSE b TO ENCROUCH. Let's play football   

[Ia-Ref]

If done every play, is not in the book.  A problem with this every play is what do you do when the defense is lured to waiting for the shift but one does not occur, advantage offense.
Read the 2008 Points of Emphasis to better understand the Fed mindset on false starts or as some call it (illegal procedure which has not been around for 30+ years)
2008 was the last time the topic of false starts was addressed by the Fed.
Basically slow and deliberate action is required.
It is time to revisit the topic by the Fed, to maybe include the clap.