2024 NCAA Playing Rules

[ElvisLives]

2024 is available online, on the RQ+ website, if you are a member. Would love to upload, but it is about 7.6 MB, and the upload limit here is 700KB. The NCAA website does not seem to have it, yet. Keep an eye out (ncaa.org/playingrules).

And be sure to check out the points of emphasis. Strongly worded statement about abrupt defensive movements. We gotta hammer on this.

[dammitbobby]

I'm happy to see that they're also address (through new language) Team A doing this as well, with teams claiming to do the 'Landry shift' but instead it's a snapdown intended to draw B offside, particularly on 4th down short yardage  situations.

[ElvisLives]

I'm happy to see that they're also address (through new language) Team A doing this as well, with teams claiming to do the Landry shift' but instead it's a snapdown intended to draw B offside, particularly on 4th down short yardage  situations.

My problem with the rule language is the use of the expression, “…that simulates the start of a play.” So, Team A lineman are in “hands on knees” positions for a field goal attempt (regular scrimmage or a try), and they abruptly drop down into positions with hand(s) on the ground. We all know that this is SOLELY intended to cause team B to react for a DOF, or at least get them out of whack when the ball is snapped. But, when we call that a FST, the Team A coach will scream bloody murder that they are not simulating the start of play - they’re just dropping down into final positions! They never ‘start a play’ by dropping down into position!
That’s actually a valid ‘language’ argument. I wish the language read, “This includes abrupt movement by a player or players that occurs before the snap begins, and are not the beginning of the down.” That would more clearly cover the abrupt drop-down movements by Team A linemen, regardless of play type. Make smooth movements, and come to a complete stop, and, if more than one player is involved, PAUSE for 1 full second after the last player fully stops before you begin the snap. That’s is the intent of the rules.

[dammitbobby]

If (when) a coach comes to me as a wing official with that argument, I'm telling him it's not moving into 'final position' that's the problem - is HOW they do it. Do it slow, and we we have nothing.

I had a coach this year, on tries/FGs they wanted to do this junk - after the first one, since the defense didn't react, I didn't throw on it, but I told Team A's coach that if B reacts to it, the foul is going to be on them, not the defense.  He acted like he had never heard such a thing, picked his jaw up off the floor, and didn't do it again the rest of the night.

This cost a team in a championship game a few years back.  A snapped down, B reacted, FG to win missed, and was ruled DOF, they got to rekick to win.

[JasonTX]

I have had teams where either the offense is pulling those shenanigans, or the defense is.  I go ask the players why they are doing that, and they have always said they do it to try and get the other team to jump.  The coach will argue they aren't doing anything wrong, but little does he know his players have already told me they are coached with that purpose in mind.  Sorry coach, the gig is up, your players are the honest ones here.