2006-09-11 01:19:04 · 8 answers · asked by steve_halluk 2 in Sports ➔ Football (American)
If a defensive player is in the neutral zone or on the offense's side of the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped, they are ruled "offsides". The play is allowed to continue, but the officials will throw a flag.
This is why you hear about the offense getting a "free play"; because if they throw an INT or fumble it, it won't matter because the referee will announce that the D was offsides, the offense will gain 5 yards and will play the down over.
An offensive player moving as though simulating the start of a play is guilty of a "false start" and the play is whistled dead immediately. This costs the offense five yards, then they replay the down.
HOWEVER ... a new rule in the NFL can have a defensive player guilty of inducing a false start if their lurching into or across the line of scrimmage induces the offensive player to flinch. In years past, this would've been a false start on the offense regardless, but new last year was this interpretation, which is more fair to the offense.
2006-09-11 05:49:34 · answer #1 · answered by Lawn Jockey 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The ball is placed on the line of scrimage with the point of the ball being the actual line. If a player lines up in a way that any part of his body is across that line, or if he crosses the line prior to the snap (the point when the ball is placed in motion), then that player is offsides. The exception is when the Center ( person snapping the ball) moves the ball. If the ball, or if a player other than the quarterback moves before the snap it is not offsides. In this instance it becomes an offensive penaly for a false start.
2006-09-11 01:28:27 · answer #2 · answered by Bryan 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Offsides American Football
2016-10-30 08:17:30 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
no player on the offensive side can cross the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped..if the do, thats offside
2006-09-11 04:07:06 · answer #4 · answered by Lone Wolf 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's this big bundle in the middle of the pitch and one of the numerous referees drops their hanky on the floor, and hey presto, its offside.
2006-09-11 01:29:14 · answer #5 · answered by Roger B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there is a zone perpendicular to the ball on both sides that neither the offense nor the defense(except the snapper) can be in before the ball is snapped.
2006-09-11 01:22:51 · answer #6 · answered by want2no 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any player on the wrong side of the line of srimmage at the snap is deemed to be offside.
Have you just started watching it?
I started last year, your pick it up as you continue to watch it.
Go Bears.
2006-09-11 01:21:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the defense goes across the line of scrimmage before the ball is hiked
2006-09-11 01:21:40 · answer #8 · answered by lztexan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋