I need help with a some what stupid question. I need help understanding the illegal motion penalty, and players moving before the snap. I had understood that a player has to be set atleast 1 or 2 seconds before the snap, but i have seen a lot of players (not just dolphins) moving and not set before the snap. How does this work, and who can/ can't move while the snap is happening? for example Joey Haynos TE usually is setting up, and the snap is made but he was never set. i have also seen the same with Polite and some of the WRs....when should/ do the refs call the illegal motion? sorry if this does not make much sense, but im just curious and cant find the answer else where. Thanks....:thanks:
Can someone explain this to me....
- Thread starter gdiaz0358
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Tunaphish429
1st Ballot Hall of Famer
Players have to be set before a player can motion... or if 2 go in motion at same time they both have to be set before the snap
Uruguayfinfan
Uruguayan fin lover
Players are allowed to move until the QB gets his hands in the centers butt.
When he gets there, only 1 player may be in motion, [only exception is when they change the player that goes at the line of scrimmage, where 2 may move to correct the formation (remember that only the players at the sides of the formation lined up at the LOS may be eligible to receive the ball, and cross this LOS)].
Furthermore, this motion can't be a forward motion while the QB snaps the ball, the player may only be moving sideways or backwards.
Anything violating those things, is a penalty for illegal motion.
Hope this clears your doubt.
When he gets there, only 1 player may be in motion, [only exception is when they change the player that goes at the line of scrimmage, where 2 may move to correct the formation (remember that only the players at the sides of the formation lined up at the LOS may be eligible to receive the ball, and cross this LOS)].
Furthermore, this motion can't be a forward motion while the QB snaps the ball, the player may only be moving sideways or backwards.
Anything violating those things, is a penalty for illegal motion.
Hope this clears your doubt.
Tunaphish429
1st Ballot Hall of Famer
I did not realize that being under center had anythign to do with it?
What if you are in Shotgun then?
that makes two of us. I think it only has to do with the players being set and not necessarily the QB... The QB can call audibles while under center would tell us that actually being under center might not have anything to do with motion
Players are allowed to move or motion before the snap is made.if you are moving 2 or more players at the same time all moving players must be set for 1 full second before the ball can be snapped.if one player is in motion and continues to move toward the sidelines he can continue to move while the ball is being snapped.if the player in motion turns toward the line of scrimmage he must be set for a full second before the ball is snapped.this rule was put in place to keep receivers from getting a unfair advantage at the snap.the number one reason this penalty is called is when a receiver motions to the oppisite side of the line leaving the tackle uncovered and another player moves up a little bit to cover the tackle and the motion reciever does not set for a full second.