What Is A False Start In American Football?

It is no more news that American Football games are exciting and one of the aspects of the game that make it so is the different kinds of penalties that can occur in a game. 

Penalties such as offsides, a false start, and a neutral infraction zone occur in an NFL or college football game and one can’t help but wonder why they seem alike but have different outcomes. Regardless, some of the penalties are awarded against the defense and others against the offense.

Meanwhile, false starts are a common penalty for football players, so fans of the game need to understand how it comes about and how they work. 

Even critics of the game need to understand the concept of false starts and other penalties in American Football and you’ll find the necessary explanation as you read this article.

READ: What is a DB in Football?

What Does A False Start Mean In American Football?

This is the first question and it will be answered accordingly. A false start in a football game is said to have occurred when an offensive player makes a charge toward the line of scrimmage or makes a sudden move before the snap that simulates the beginning of the play. 

Meanwhile, a false start can only occur in a football game after the players have taken the positions assigned to them as well as before the snap.

Any movement by offensive linemen can result in a false start call. There is no forward movement allowed along the line of scrimmage. A false start can be caused by simply shuffling their feet. 

Because the rule is intended to prevent the offensive line from unfairly causing a defensive lineman to be offside, the call is most likely to be made on an offensive lineman. 

The goal of the rule is to prevent the offense from gaining an unfair advantage over the defense at the start of the play. The penalty is imposed even if the defense does not respond to the offense’s false start. 

READ: What is an Audible in Football?

What Is The Penalty For A False Start In Football?

In football, a false start is a violation of the rule and the offending team gets hit with a penalty. 

The offensive team will receive a five-yard penalty for falsely simulating the start of play or pushing the defense offside. The play is declared dead, and the offensive team must replay the down. 

Differences Between A False Start And An Offside Penalty? 

Offsides and false starts are both penalized with a five-yard penalty. The difference is that a false start penalty ends the play immediately. 

The play is stopped as a precautionary measure to protect the quarterback from injury. 

Meanwhile, offsides penalties are mostly called on defensive players, whereas false starts are usually called on offensive players. A defensive player, on the other hand, can receive a false start penalty, albeit under a different name. 

What Is A Defense False Start? 

A false start is an offensive team penalty, not a defensive team penalty. When a defensive player crosses the line of scrimmage before the snap, it is considered a neutral zone infraction.

Even if the defensive player causes the offensive player to move before the snap, it will not be considered a false start because the offensive player did not initiate the movement. 

READ: How Long Are NFL Games?

A neutral zone infraction results in a five-yard penalty on the defense. The foul occurs before the start of a play and before the snap. 

Why Does A Quarterback Get A False Start? 

 Before the snap, the quarterback can move more than the other players. They can move around and call out signals to their teammates, but they must not make any sudden movements that give the impression that the game has begun. 

These sudden movements that are not allowed in the game include rapidly moving their feet or shoulders, rapidly moving their head up and down, or thrusting out their hands or arms. 

A false start would occur on the QB if they made any of these sudden movements that falsely simulate a snap. In addition, after any movement, the quarterback must come to a complete stop for a full second before receiving the ball on a hike. 

READ: What is a sack in football?

Can A Running Back Get A False Start? 

A running back in football can be referred to as an offensive backfield player and they can begin the game on a bad note with a false start. If a running back changes his stance after taking his assigned position or makes any sudden movement, this can result in a false start being called against him.

Conclusion

As expected, there are infractions that attract penalties in every sport and the very physical American Football game is not an exception, and rightfully so.

Penalties such as offsides, a false start, and a neutral infraction zone occur in Amerian Football. When an offensive player makes a charge toward the line of scrimmage, a False Start, which is an infraction during a football game, is said to have occurred. 

False starts are penalties that occur before the ball is snapped. A defensive player can be penalized for a false start, albeit under a different name. 

Offsides and false starts both carry a five-yard penalty. The difference is that a False Start penalty immediately ends the play.