NFL Video Rulebook Pre-Snap Fouls

Rule Summary View Official Rule

Section 4 - Action At Or Before The Snap

ARTICLE 1. BALL READY FOR PLAY

After the neutral zone has been established (ball is made or declared ready for play), an offensive player may not make a false start, a defensive player may not encroach (initiate contact with a member of the offensive team) or commit a neutral zone infraction, and no player of either team may be offside when the ball is put in play.

ARTICLE 2. FALSE START

It is a false start if the ball has been placed ready for play, and, prior to the snap, an offensive player who has assumed a set position moves in such a way as to simulate the start of a play, or if an offensive player who is in motion makes a sudden movement toward the line of scrimmage. Any quick abrupt movement by a single offensive player, or by several offensive players in unison, which simulates the start of the snap, is a false start, and the official shall blow the whistle immediately, whether the snap is made or there is a reaction by the defense. For actions by a defensive player who attempts to cause an offensive player to commit a false start, see 4-6-5-d.

Item 1. Interior Lineman. It is a False Start if an interior lineman (tackle to tackle) takes or simulates a three-point stance and then changes his position or moves the hand that is on the ground.

An interior lineman who is in a two-point stance is permitted to reset in a three-point stance or change his position, provided that he comes to a complete stop prior to the snap. If he does not come to a complete stop prior to the snap, it is a False Start.

Item 2. Eligible Receiver. If all offensive players have been set for at least one full second, and an eligible receiver who is on the line of scrimmage moves forward, it is a False Start, regardless of whether the action is quick and abrupt or slow and deliberate.

If an eligible receiver who is on the line of scrimmage moves backward or changes his stance (two point to three point or conversely) and does not come to a complete stop before the snap, it is a false start.

Any eligible backfield player who changes his stance does not have to come to a complete stop prior to the snap, as long as his actions are not abrupt (false start) or forward (illegal motion).

Item 3. T-Formation Quarterback. It is legal for a T-Formation Quarterback to go in motion, whether he has placed his hands under center, on his knees, or on the body of the center. However, it is a false start if the action is quick and abrupt. If the player fails to come to a complete stop for at least one full second prior to the ball being snapped, it is illegal motion.

Item 4. Shotgun Formation. A player who is in position to receive the snap in shotgun formation is permitted to shift his feet prior to the snap, but any quick and abrupt movement is a False Start. This includes thrusting his hands forward when there is not a simultaneous snap.

Item 5. Attempt to Draw Offside. Any obvious attempt by the quarterback or other player in position to receive the snap to draw an opponent offside is a False Start.

Item 6. Shift Converts to False Start. With the game clock running after the two-minute warning of either half, if all offensive players are not set simultaneously for one full second prior to the snap, it is a false start. If all players get set, and then two or more players shift without resetting prior to the snap, it is a live ball foul for an illegal shift (7-4-7).

Penalty: For a False Start: Loss of five yards from the line of scrimmage. The foul is enforced prior to the snap.

ARTICLE 3. ENCROACHMENT

It is encroachment if a defensive player enters the neutral zone and contacts an offensive player or the ball prior to the snap, or if he interferes with the ball during the snap. Officials are to blow their whistles immediately.

Penalty: For encroachment: Loss of five yards from the line of scrimmage. The foul is enforced prior to the snap.

ARTICLE 4. NEUTRAL ZONE INFRACTION

It is a neutral zone infraction when the following occur. Officials are to blow their whistles immediately:

1. a defender moves beyond the neutral zone prior to the snap and is parallel to or beyond an offensive lineman with an unimpeded path to the quarterback or kicker, even though no contact is made by a blocker;
2. defender enters the neutral zone prior to the snap, causing the offensive player(s) in close proximity (including a T-Formation Quarterback) to react (move) immediately to protect himself (themselves) against impending If there is no immediate reaction by the offensive player(s) in close proximity, and the defensive player returns to a legal position prior to the snap without contacting an opponent, there is no foul. A flexed or split receiver is considered to be in close proximity if he is lined up on the side of the ball on which the violation occurs; other offensive players are considered to be in close proximity if they are within two-and-one-half positions of the defender who enters the neutral zone. If the defender is directly over the center, a T-Formation Quarterback, the center, and the guards and tackles on both sides of the center are considered to be within close proximity; if the defender is in a gap, the two offensive players on either side of the gap are considered to be within close proximity (including a T-Formation Quarterback, if applicable); or
3. during the last two minutes of a half the ball is snapped before all members of the defensive team are on their side of the line of scrimmage. The offense must be legally set.

Penalty: For a neutral zone infraction: Loss of five yards from line of scrimmage. Penalty is enforced prior to snap.