Penalty question

Can anyone tell me why the first quarter early snap that hit Mettenbetger was ruled a fumble vs illegal procedure? Mettenbetger was moving forward when the ball was snapped. There was too much cursing going on in my house to hear any explanation from the announcers.

 

we had that same discussion. I thought it should have been a dead ball, but I think it's only blown dead if it's a false start not illegal motion.

 

They did call the penalty, it was declined and the gumps got the ball.

 

Right but isn't it supposed to be blown dead? I've seen interceptions called back because of false starts before.

 

Y'all are observant. And lasalle is correct. Motion is not a deadball foul. Procedure is.

 

One would think, it was in the land of the gump so who knows.

 

Moving forward is a motion penalty hence it want blown dead.

 

False start only applies to players on the line of scrimmage who must be set for at least one second at the snap. Anyone in the backfield can move, but may not be moving toward the line of scrimmage at the time the ball is snapped. This ain't Canada. The play was called correctly. Illegal motion does not kill the play. And it can be declined.

 

Thanks. I guess i did not know the difference between illegal procedure and illegal motion.