Football Illegal Shift Penalty
In football, an illegal shift penalty is called as a result of illegal movement by multiple offensive players prior to the snap. An illegal shift is often confused with illegal motion, but various things separate the two. An illegal shift penalty can only be called on the offense and results in a five yard loss for the offense.
Definition
When two or more offensive players are moving prior to the snap, it is considered a shift. When a singular player is moving before the snap, it is called a motion. The offense has to be in a legal formation before and after shifts.
Following a shift, all offensive players must be set for at least one second. If all players, aside from a single player in motion, do not set for at least one second prior to the snap, then a penalty is called.
This penalty is also called if the player directly behind the center (most often the quarterback) does not come to a complete stop for at least one second before a second shift occurs.
Result
| Penalty | NFL | NCAA | NFHS | CFL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illegal Shift | 5 Yards | 5 Yards | 5 Yards | Not a Foul |
When an illegal shift is called, the result is a five yard loss for the offense. The ball is moved back five yards from the previous line of scrimmage. In the NFL, NCAA, and NFHS (high school), the illegal shift penalty is the same. However, in the CFL, illegal shifting is not considered a penalty.
Penalty Signal
To signal an illegal shift, a referee puts both hands at chest level (angled towards each other), extends their arms out forward and returns them to the original positioning. The illegal shift looks very similar to an incomplete pass, but on an incomplete pass a referee tends to extend their arms more to the side.
Examples
- An illegal shift penalty will be called if the ball is snapped and a player fails to come completely set following a shift. For example, a tight end and a wide receiver shift from one side of the center to the other. Before both players are in a set position for at least one second the quarterback hikes the ball.
- A running back moves out of the backfield into a slot position. While the running back is getting set, a second shift occurs. A wide receiver steps back off of the line of scrimmage to become eligible. A penalty will be called if the ball is snapped before the second shifting player is not set for at least one second.
Similar Penalties To Illegal Shift
FAQ
What is the penalty for an illegal shift in football?
The penalty for an illegal shift in football is a loss of five yards for the offense. An illegal shift occurs when there are multiple offensive players illegally moving prior to the snap. While illegal shifts do not result in dangerous plays, they still provide an unfair advantage to the offense, resulting in the five yard penalty.
What is an illegal shift penalty in football?
In football, an illegal shift penalty occurs when two or more offensive players illegally move prior to the snap. This penalty is very similar to the illegal motion penalty except that penalty is used for a single player and can be used for either the offense or the defense. Illegal shift penalties are only called on the offensive team and for multiple players moving prior to the snap.