Illegal Shift or False Start (video)

[TXMike]

Old style ilegal shift or new false start?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3roG1Cf36U&feature=youtu.be

[mccormicw]

This is still an illegal shift isnt it?

[MJT]

It depends on if you think the QB got set for a second before he set the slot at the top of the screen in motion. If so, it is a normal ILS live ball foul. If you don't think the QB got set, then you have the new FST ILS rule and shut it down.

I would rule that the QB got set, put the man in motion, and thus have a live ball ILS penalty.

[El Macman]

Traditional illegal shift. The QB may not have been technically set for one full second, but the purpose for the rule had been met, so the shift from the huddle or previous play had been completed. Then you've got two players in motion at the snap, so, illegal shift.

[NVFOA_Ump]

Traditional illegal shift. The QB may not have been technically set for one full second, but the purpose for the rule had been met, so the shift from the huddle or previous play had been completed. Then you've got two players in motion at the snap, so, illegal shift.

So if this play was being run when Team A with no timeouts, clock running with under 1 minute in a half, and A trying to score, would you still say that "the rule had been met"?  It's pretty clear that the A QB never has his dancing feet set and he even continues to shuffle virtually continuously while the other players are in motion.  Not really sure that we should let this go, since IMHO we don't want to then have to call it a false start later.  I'd think we would be better off getting the QB to stop "walking around" the very first time we see it and call it what it technically is - false start.

[DD]

Now, if they never get set it is a False Start. If they get set then move it is an Illegal Shift.

[zebra99]

For those who might be leaning toward bringing the QB into a foul on this one, shotgun QB's have been moving in place slightly for several years now and unless they draw the defense there hasn't been nor should there be a foul.  They are not gaining an advantage.

I think the "in motion" rule's intent is for players moving to another spot/position or clearly running in place after having moved to another position.

With that said, it certainly doesn't hurt to talk to the QB but I'd never call what I see on this video.

[MJT]

For those who might be leaning toward bringing the QB into a foul on this one, shotgun QB's have been moving in place slightly for several years now and unless they draw the defense there hasn't been nor should there be a foul.  They are not gaining an advantage.

I think the "in motion" rule's intent is for players moving to another spot/position or clearly running in place after having moved to another position.

With that said, it certainly doesn't hurt to talk to the QB but I'd never call what I see on this video.

This is why I would go with a regular ILS and not the new ILS FST rule.