Just got home from the game... Did we ever figure out how...

[patdog]

why don't teams just do that instead of taking a delay of game when they want more room?

I don't really know why they don't do it every time. I actually think I might take the penalty thoughif its less than 5 yards to go just in case my rushers ran into the punter trying to block the kick.

 

[8dog]

1. There is a false start. That's really what Im talking about. Can you decline that? I've never seen a situation where someone would want to is the only reason I don't know.

2. There is illegal motion. You are telling me that a team can't decline illegal motion. So if 2 men are moving at the snap of the ball, and I sack the QB, I can't decline the penalty?

 

[ckDOG]

I think pat was wrong saying you can't decline illegal motion.

From the 2009-10 rulebook. (I can't find a more current version - I assume this rule has not changed). <a href="http://www.oficiales.org/A_2009/ncaa/NCAAINGLES/2009-10%20NCAA%20Footbal%20Rule%20Book.pdf" target="_blank">Link
</a>

RULE 10
Penalty Enforcement
SECTION 1. Penalties Completed
How and When Completed
ARTICLE 1. a. A penalty is completed when it is accepted, declined or
canceled according to rule, or when the choice is obvious to the referee.
b. Any penalty may be declined, but a disqualified player must leave the
game whether the penalty is accepted or declined.

I suppose there could be exceptions. But, I couldn't find any after a quick glance. Pat can provide a reference if this is wrong.

That's why a team would never try to execute illegal motion. You have to assume the ref would call it based on his judgment. Delay of game is a no-brainer. If the play clock reads zero and the ball hasn't been snapped - delay of game. Plus there is absolutely zero risk because the ball is never snapped. The team just sits there.

 

[8dog]

I thought he was using "illegal motion" to encompass false starts at first. That's what I was referring to. If you couldn't decline that, then you would just have a lineman jump everytime.

I think we are on the same page now. In fact, it was the same page I was on before I started reading this thread.