Archived Thread

Defense inducing a false start

BlackLight : 10/9/2015 1:38 am

It seems like, charitably, 95% of the time, whenever a DL jumps offside, and the OL reacts, the refs will flag the OL for a false start. Every now and then, they'll flip and hit the defense for causing the false start. I'm just curious on what the standard is for them calling it one way or the other. I know there's encroachment, where the defender has to make contact with someone on the offense, but this appears to be different.

Early in the Packers/49ers game, BJ Raji jumped across, the OL across from him moved, the refs flagged it, Raji immediately reacted like he knew he was at fault, and the refs ended up penalizing the offense.

I Disagree

Jim in Tampa : 10/9/2015 6:44 am : link

I think the refs are usually pretty good about flagging the guilty party for off sides. Not sure why you think they're getting it wrong by calling a penalty on the OL "95% of the time".

If anything, when a DL goes off sides, but still has time to get back, I see a delayed reaction from one of the OL trying to play it off like he was drawn off sides by the DL...and they almost always call the penalty on the DL.

As for the play you referred to, BJ Raji appeared to have jumped off sides, but they called it on the QB (Kapernick) for moving his hands and drawing Raji off sides. (They've called Eli on the same deal a couple of times.)

Yah, I completely disagree

I Love Clams Casino : 10/9/2015 7:46 am : link

I think they get it right time after time. There plenty they don't get right, but this is not one of them.

All they have to do is watch...it's a very easy penalty to spot.

Use your DVR (if you have one) and watch it again....

I think the key is what the defender actually does

TheMcThrill : 10/9/2015 8:03 am : link

meaning, how far does he go when he jumps. The defense is allowed to move as long as they remain on their side of the line of scrimmage. If they cross into the neutral zone, and draws the ol into movement, it should then be called as a neutral zone infraction. If they jump into the neutral zone, get back, the ol doesn't move, there shouldn't be a call. If they jump, but stay on their side, the ol moves, it should be a false start.

Hope that helps.

You are way off

The Dude : 10/9/2015 8:07 am : link

If the defense moves across and then the OL moves it's being called against the Defense almost every time. Not sure where you're pulling the 95% stat against the OL. Watch a few games this weekend and take not when this happens

it's been explained in games before

Rocky369 : 10/9/2015 8:32 am : link

by someone like Hochuli or those that provide better explanations. If the DL moves and the OL jumps, its on the DL. The DL moves, and then the OL moves, but not "immediately" after the DL jump, it would be on the OL. Ed defines it much more clearlyer.

I'm glad it..

FatMan in Charlotte : 10/9/2015 8:35 am : link

wasn't just me who had almost the exact opposite view on this.

RE: I'm glad it..

FJ : 10/9/2015 8:51 am : link

In comment 12535956 FatMan in Charlotte said:

Quote:

wasn't just me who had almost the exact opposite view on this.

There are many things for which we can criticize the officials, but this is not one of them.

Why is it a penalty?

Jerz44 : 10/9/2015 10:06 am : link

I never really played football so maybe Im missing something, but since the O line actually knows the count and the D doesnt, why does the D have any responsibility towards false starts?

RE: Why is it a penalty?

ChaChing : 10/9/2015 11:18 am : link

In comment 12536164 Jerz44 said:

Quote:

I never really played football so maybe Im missing something, but since the O line actually knows the count and the D doesnt, why does the D have any responsibility towards false starts?

Because it's very hard to go against instinct and NOT move when a 300lb dude (or anyone really) comes at you suddenly, full force & in your face. So now it's called if the DL gets close enough, meaning in the neutral zone. But if the OL reacts too slow trying to get the call on the D, it's on the OL. Also why if the OL doesn't move & the DL moves back presnap it's no call. And why if the DL simulates the snap / yells hike, if caught that's a penalty on the D

The Raji call was wrong but generally these have been correct