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You are here: Home / All The Lingo / Sports Terms That Begin With ‘I’ / Illegal Shift

Illegal Shift

il*le*gal shift

What Is The Definition Of Illegal Shift In Football?What Is An Illegal Shift In Football? Definition & Meaning | SportsLingo

1. An illegal shift occurs in football when two or more offensive players are in motion at the same time during the pre-snap motion. After the formation has set, only one player is allowed to be in pre-snap motion at any given time. If a second player wants to go in motion, that player must wait until the first player is done moving and has become set for at least one second.

If an offense is flagged for an illegal shift, it is a five-yard penalty.

Example Of How Illegal Shift Is Used In Commentary

1. The Rams get flagged for an illegal motion as there seemed to be some confusion between the two outside receivers, as both went into motion at the same time.

Sport The Term Is Used

1. Football

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