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Question
I was watching the LSU-Florida game on Saturday night and came up with this question. I see LSU's offensive line get set in a shotgun formation, the qb then stops, looks at the sideline and gets a call. While this is going on, the linemen stand up or move. The qb comes back and the line re-sets and they run the play. How is this not a false start?
Jeff
This is a common question and it is somewhat of a common occurrence. For a false start foul to occur the offensive player must simulate the start of a play. In the example you cite, the offensive players re-set is a smooth slow action that doesn't simulate the start of the play (a quick or fast action). If the linemen were set in 3-point stance they would be locked into that position by rule and not able to move.
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Answers by Expert:
Victor Winnek
Expertise
I answer questions related to: Football Officiating; NCAA & Federation Rules; History of Football; Football Officiating - Mechanics (2,3,4,5,7 man); NCAA Rules & High School Rules; Player Safety, Issues of liability arising from injuries, workers compensation, discrimination of officials, Standard of Care; Serve as an Consultant and Expert Witness in Football Related Matters. History of the Game. Instructor of officials. I do not answer questions as to what position a person should play or what their chances are ...
Experience
24 years officiating High School & College football, NCAA Referee, Line Judge, Head Linesman; 2 years Arena Football-substitution official; Instructor of NCAA & Federation Officials, Member of the Board of Directors CFOA-Long Beach & South Bay Units, Pres. of Executive Council of Calif. Football Officials Assoc.; CIF Presidents' Council on Officiating; Chairman of the Officiating Ethics Committee; Played prep & college football; coached High School football; Athletic trainer
Organizations
President of Calif. Football Officials Assoc.; Western Collegiate Football Officials Assoc.; CFOA-Long Beach Unit
Publications
Referee Magazine; California Football Officials Assoc. Instructor's Guide; NCAA Div. 1-AA football officials clinic; CFOA instrutional materials; UWLA Law Review Answers are for educational and information purposes only and may not be reprinted, reporduced or used in any: articles, blogs, research, news story or republished in any fashion without the expressed permission and consent of the under signed.
Education/Credentials
BA USC 1987
JD UWLA School of Law 1996
3 Years Reno Football Officials Clinic
Big 12 Mini Clinic
4 Years UCLA Football Officials Camp
24 years of instruction in Officiating Football
Awards and Honors
9 Bowl games, NCAA Div. 1 FCS; CIF State Championship, 9 years CIF Finals, 10 years CIF Semi-finals, 17 years of CIF play-offs.
NCAA Div. III Semi-Finals
I will not dignify rude or disparaging comments with a response. I also will not entertain questions that use profanity. Football officials don't seek to “screw” any team Such an insinuation is ridiculous and ludicrous.
Past/Present Clients
If you have NFL question I suggest you contact NFL experts here on AllExperts.com or Mike Pereira on Wed. Afternoons at 1PM EST/10AM PST http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/page/Mike-Pereira-FOX-NFL-Rules-Analyst I work with Mike at FoxSports on Sundays in the Control Center explaining rules and officiating
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