Shift & Motion Clarification
Shift and Motion |
Shift and Motion are very close cousins,
only apply to the offense, and are legal if done properly. |
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Remember |
There are no Defensive Motion or Shift restrictions (short of unsportsmanlike acts). |
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| What's the difference? |
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| Motion |
Motion is ONE and ONLY ONE Offensive Player, moving laterally or backwards, prior to and at the SNAP, but NEVER towards the Opponents end zone. All other Offensive Players must be stationary in their positions without movement of their feet, body, head, or arms, for it to be an "In Motion Play". |
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| Shift |
Shift is One or More Offensive Players, moving to a SET Position, after a huddle or after taking Set Positions, Before the Snap, and moving to a different Set Position. They Must come to their new SET position and remain there for at least one second before the snap. That goes for ALL Offensive Players. They cannot move or an Illegal Shift or False Start Penalty is called. |
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| When and How to Call? |
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| Illegal Motion |
Illegal Motion - 5 Yard Penalty -
If an Offensive Player in Motion moves or steps Toward
his Opponents End Zone, before the ball is snapped, and it is obvious
he has no intention of coming to a set position or it's obvious he doesn't
have time to get into a set position for at least a second, before the
ball is snapped, it's a DEAD BALL Foul. Throw and Blow the play DEAD immediately.
(It'll look like he's just trying to get an unfair head start!!!) |
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| Illegal Shift |
Illegal Shift - 5 Yard Penalty -If One or More Player(s) is changing positions, but they don't STOP and come to a Set Position for at least one second before the snap, it is an Illegal Shift. Any time more than One Player is In Motion, you know it's a Shift but, if only One Player is In Motion, and he steps toward his Opponents End Zone before (without "Setting") or simultaneously with the Snap, Throw but Don't Blow. It is a Live ball Foul, so Play continues till the end of the run. The Penalty, if Accepted, will be implemented from the end of the run. |
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| Cautions |
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| If, in the opinion of the Referee, there is an act to intentionally draw a false start, that will be penalized 5 yards and negate any encroachment penalty. |
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| Coaches Code |
Coaches Code of Silence - Coaches
on the field MAY NOT converse with their players, once the offensive line
is set until the end of the play. Penalty: 5 yds from line of scrimmage. |
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| Quick Kick |
Quick Kick - This does not apply
to a Quick Kick - The offense may quick kick on 1st, 2nd, or 3rd down,
by lining up in regular offensive formation and a announcing to the official
that they are punting. All players will not move until the punt
is away. |
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| Remember |
We're looking for Felonies ... not Misdemeanors. Don't be Hyper Critical with these Rules. If they're off by a fraction, exercise your "NO Call" authority. |
This is what I sent Coaches Motion. Only 1 A player (Offense) may be in motion, but
not in motion toward the opponent’s goal line at the snap. Other
A (Offense) players must be stationary in their positions without movement
of their feet, body, head, or arms. Penalty: Illegal Motion, 5 yards (S20).
Shift Definition = A shift is the action of 1 or more offensive players who, after a huddle or after taking set positions, move to a new set position before the ensuing snap. Shift. In a snap preceded by a huddle or shift, all A players (Offense) must come to a complete stop and remain stationary in legal position without movement of feet, body, head, or arms for at least 1 full second before the snap. Penalty: Illegal Shift, 5 yards (S20). Play > Following a huddle or shift 1 A player Offense) takes a preliminary position, then advances or drops into a final position. RULING . Such movement constitutes a shift; all A players (Offense) must hold their final positions for at least 1 second before the snap. Play > A-1 (Offense) goes in motion legally as A-2 (Offense) moves to a new position in the backfield, sets, and the ball is snapped. RULING. Illegal Shift, 5 yards. There are no Defensive Motion or Shift restrictions (short of unsportsmanlike acts). A couple of cautions ... If, in the opinion of the Referee, there is an act to intentionally draw a false start, that will be penalized 5 yards and negate any encroachment penalty. Under Gamed General, Article 4 (Page 5) of Sunrise Rules Coaches on the field MAY NOT converse with their players, once the offensive line is set until the end of the play. Penalty: 5 yds from line of scrimmage. This does not apply to a Quick Kick - as stated in Sunrise
Rules under Punting, article 4 (page 9) The offense may quick kick on
1st, 2nd, or 3rd down, by lining up in regular offensive formation and
a announcing to the official that they are punting. |
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This was an article that I thought offered clarity Illegal motion occurs when a player is in motion toward his line of scrimmage at the snap or when two or more players are in motion at the snap. Motion is legal as long as only one player is in motion at the snap, the motion is parallel to or away from the line of scrimmage at the snap, and the act of going in motion doesn't simulate action at the snap (meaning that the commencement of motion must be a relatively slow and deliberate movement, and not a quick movement). Illegal motion is a foul at the snap, which means that the play is allowed to continue, but if the defense accepts the penalty, the offense is penalized five yards from where the ball was snapped and the down is replayed.
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