Teams move too soon at the start
False Start: Offense moves too early
Offside: Offensive or defensive player lined up in the zone when ball snaps or crosses the line
Encroachment: Defender touches someone before the snap
NZI: Defender crosses line, makes an O-lineman jump (Neutral zone infraction)
Rules about movement for the offense and defense
- Free movement: Defenders can shift, run, or adjust their positions anywhere on their side of the line of scrimmage before the snap.
- The stationary rule: All offensive players must come to a complete, dead stop for at least one full second in a set formation before the ball is snapped. [1]
- Pre-snap motion exception: Exactly one offensive player (usually a wide receiver or running back) is allowed to be moving at the snap, provided they move laterally or backward, and not forward toward the line of scrimmage. [1, 2]
- Linemen: Offensive linemen (tackles, guards, center) cannot move or shift at all once they take their stance.
- While the majority of the offense must be completely still, football rules allow for specific exceptions, most notably a player in motion.Here is exactly how the rules break down for the offense before the ball is snapped:1. The Pre-Snap SetBefore anyone can go into motion, all 11 offensive players must come to a complete stop simultaneously. They must remain completely stationary for at least one full second.2. Player in MotionAfter that one-second pause, one offensive player who is lined up in the backfield (not on the line of scrimmage) is allowed to go into motion.
- The Rule: This player can move parallel to or away from the line of scrimmage.
- The Restriction: They absolutely cannot move forward toward the line of scrimmage at the time of the snap. If they are moving forward when the ball is snapped, it is a penalty for illegal motion or a false start.