football rules, "false start"

[SixFive]

Football is one sport I've never played. I know the rules from watching on tv all my life. The one thing I've never understood fully is what the offense is allowed to do before the ball is snapped.

Sometimes, even if there is the slightest of twitches, there is a flag thrown. Other times, everybody on the line, backfield, and qb can stand up out of their set position and this is not called.

Example, the Memphis/Akron game. Memphis would get set, then they would all stand up, walk around, and look at the sideline for the play then get reset and snap the ball.

Often, the center will be looking down at the ball, he'll then look up, back down, and snap it. Why can he move?

What does it actually mean to "get set". Somebody clear this up for me. Thanks!

 

[Blazer]

I think the line is "set" when the noseguard addresses the ball. :bump: :bump: :bump:

 

[Smitty]

sixfive, i don't know how the rule is actually written, but the general idea is that the offense cannot simulate the start of a play to induce the defense offsides. once the offensive line is in their 3-point stance, they cannot move. as long as they are only in a 2-point stance, they can move, assuming it is not in such a manner that simulates the start of a play. eligible receivers can come out of their stance, provided they reset for one full second prior to the snap. and, of course, you can have one man in motion at the snap, as long as he is not moving towards the line of scrimmage.

i played tight end at the D3 level. i always knew in the back of my head that, even if i moved early, as long as nobody on the d jumped at my movement, i could reset.

hope this helps clear it up.