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314:, only one player may be in motion at one time, and the player must not move toward the line of scrimmage in his motion (in other words, he can only move laterally or backward). In no situation may the moving player begin on the line of scrimmage when he moves (in other words, offensive linemen are prohibited from motion prior to the snap). Any player who shifts from a lineman position to a back position must set in position at least five yards behind the line of scrimmage before going into motion.
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offensive team believes it knows the defense's cover scheme, it might audible to a play that is better suited to defeating the defense's strategy. Players in motion might also confuse a defense that does not communicate well, potentially leaving a pass receiver uncovered. The motion might also be used to allow an offensive player to start the play while already running at top speed parallel to the line of scrimmage such as in a
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were offensive systems of the early 20th century which relied heavily on shifting into new formations right before the play so that key players were already moving at the snap. However, rule changes were eventually implemented that banned wholesale formation shifts after the offensive team has lined
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Additionally, the offensive team may be charged with the penalty of a "false start" if a player on the offense jumps or moves abruptly, simulating the start of the play. This movement is not normally considered a subset of the "motion" or "shift" rules, as the player is not judged to be moving into
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The
National Football League defines all motion and shift penalties as "illegal motion", while both the NCAA and NFHSAA make a distinction between an "illegal shift" and "illegal motion"; an illegal shift refers to players shifting and not coming to a complete stop before the snap, while illegal
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One purpose for putting players in motion in the modern game is to gain clues about the defensive play call, particularly whether the defense is in "zone" or "man-to-man" coverage, as a defender assigned to cover a motioning offensive player will usually follow him across the formation. If the
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motion refers to a player who is in motion towards the line of scrimmage, or a player who is not a "back" in motion. In both leagues, however, the penalty for illegal motion/illegal shift is five yards from the previous spot and replay the down.
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While there are different rules regarding motion, most mandate that no more than one player may be in motion at the time of the snap, and the player must not be an
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In the earliest days of
American football, offenses were allowed to shift and assemble themselves as much as they wanted as defenses are still allowed to do. The
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play. In leagues that allow forward motion, receivers can begin the play already sprinting down the field, potentially allowing them to run past defenders.
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87:(college), and NFHSAA (high school) require that they be moving laterally or backwards; they are not allowed to be moving towards the
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365:: All backfield players are allowed to move toward the line of scrimmage before the snap, regardless of their horizontal position.
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359:: Two players in motion were allowed, both could move toward the line of scrimmage, one each outside the guard or tight end.
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may be in motion at the time of the snap. Prior to starting the motion, all players on the offensive side must be in a set
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up and required players to remain in that formation for at least one second before a snap or motion can occur.
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leagues: One player in motion is allowed; he can move toward the line of scrimmage only if he is outside the
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In leagues that allow forward motion, the moving player(s) cannot cross the line of scrimmage, otherwise a
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a new pre-snap position; he is merely starting the play too soon. This is also a five-yard penalty.
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occurs when one or more players changes their position on the offensive side of the ball
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allows for motion towards the line of scrimmage at the time of the snap, as did the
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has not indicated whether or not it will revive the forward motion rule.)
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In all forms of football, only players in the backfield and not on the
390:"Ask the Official: How Many Players Can Be In Motion Before the Snap?"
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National
Federation of State High School Associations Rule Book, 2001
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allows two offensive players to engage in forward motion.
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119:in football. Motion occurs when a player is moving
577:"10 Reasons Nobody Cares About the NFL Pro Bowl"
416:"Learn How to Watch an NFL Game Like an Expert"
468:"Ask the Ref: A Conversation with Tom Higgins"
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443:"NCAA Rule 7 – Snapping and Passing the Ball"
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229:Learn how and when to remove this message
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111:There is a distinction drawn between a
165:Please improve this section by adding
71:(typically, the player in motion is a
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414:Schwartz, Geoff (31 August 2017).
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131:, causing a change in formation.
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178:"Motion" gridiron football
91:when the ball is snapped. The
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835:American football terminology
167:secondary or tertiary sources
56:refers to the movement of an
564:NCAA official football rules
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60:player at the time of the
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618:Peach Bowl Illegal Motion
318:Exceptions are as follows
29:shift (gridiron football)
544:"NFL official rule book"
357:American Indoor Football
93:Canadian Football League
27:Not to be confused with
327:: Motion is prohibited.
121:at the time of the snap
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154:relies excessively on
101:Indoor Football League
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339:Arena Football League
303:for a minimum of one
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97:Arena Football League
79:). Additionally, the
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609:Motions & Shifts
310:In most versions of
262:is often run with a
519:"Glossary of Terms"
494:"Rules of the Game"
373:penalty is called.
250:History and purpose
581:bleacherreport.com
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363:Canadian football
347:offensive tackles
312:American football
297:line of scrimmage
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804:Bump and run
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743:Lateral pass
738:Forward pass
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526:. Retrieved
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501:. Retrieved
498:arenafan.com
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291:Requirements
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77:running back
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676:three-point
620:via YouTube
478:January 19,
452:January 19,
427:January 19,
399:January 19,
394:nflflag.com
371:false start
377:References
331:XFL (2001)
266:in motion.
189:newspapers
156:references
748:Stiff arm
723:Pump fake
657:maneuvers
528:March 26,
523:goifl.com
503:March 26,
421:SB Nation
301:formation
135:Penalties
58:offensive
39:Tight end
829:Category
753:Scramble
703:Blocking
698:Hand-off
351:2020 XFL
325:Pro Bowl
274:and the
219:May 2018
772:Defense
728:Cutback
708:Pulling
686:Offense
613:YouTube
551:nfl.com
349:. (The
203:scholar
779:Tackle
763:Motion
718:Routes
713:Spiral
672:Stance
667:Huddle
472:cfl.ca
305:second
205:
198:
191:
184:
176:
117:motion
99:. The
54:motion
794:Blitz
789:Stunt
758:Shift
547:(PDF)
210:JSTOR
196:books
125:shift
113:shift
784:Rush
733:Juke
693:Snap
611:via
530:2023
505:2023
480:2019
454:2019
429:2019
401:2019
258:The
182:news
123:. A
115:and
85:NCAA
62:snap
814:Spy
335:WFL
158:to
81:NFL
75:or
48:In
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