At the snap, all offensive players must be stationary in their positions:
(a) without any movement of feet, head, or arms;
(b) without swaying of body; and
(c) without moving directly forward except that one player only and he, playing in a
backfield position, may be in motion provided he is moving, parallel to, obliquely
backward from, or directly backward from the line of scrimmage at snap.
Note 1: No player is ever permitted to be moving obliquely or directly forward toward his
opponent’s goal line at snap.
Note 2: Non-abrupt movement of head and/or shoulders by offensive players prior to the
snap is legal. Players must come to a stop before ball is snapped. If officials judge the
action of the offensive players to be abrupt, false start foul is to be called.
Penalty: For player illegally in motion at snap: Loss of five yards from previous
spot. In case of doubt, this penalty shall be enforced.
A.R. 7.14 Third-and-one on the B40. Quarterback A1 stops about a foot behind the center and
then moves forward and takes the snap and goes to the B38.
Ruling: Illegal motion. Can’t be moving forward at snap. A’s ball third-and-six on B45.
