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False Start

Definition

It is a False Start if the ball has been placed ready for play, and, prior to the snap, an offensive player who has assumed a set position charges or moves in such a way as to simulate the start of a play, or if an offensive player who is in motion makes a sudden movement toward the line of scrimmage. Any quick abrupt movement by a single offensive player, or by several offensive players in unison, which simulates the start of the snap, is a false start. Exceptions: This does not apply to an offensive player under the center who turns his head or shoulders, unless the movement is an obvious attempt to draw an opponent offside.

Outcome

Loss of five yards from the line of scrimmage. The foul is enforced prior to the snap.

2011 Stats

Overall Totals By Team

There was an average of 20.84 False Start penalties per team league wide.

Scroll left and right for additional columns.
 AgainstBeneficiary
NameGamesCountYards LostDismissedHomeAwayCountYards GainedDismissedHomeAway
Arizona1618850993919402118
Atlanta17147003111785089
Baltimore182612501214221060184
Buffalo1613650851154074
Carolina161890081015750105
Chicago163014909212412001410
Cincinnati172814001315211040912
Cleveland16201000101016720511
Dallas16271330141320950911
Denver18104706420960137
Detroit1720961119261280224
Green Bay17291450111819951118
Houston1821105010112713201413
Indianapolis162210501210840026
Jacksonville16136504918870711
Kansas City162713001611221070139
Oakland1619950910201000713
St. Louis163215401814261260179
San Diego16168107918830612
Miami1614670593215901220
Minnesota16209901282311601211
New England1920960911231130149
New Orleans1818860992612901115
N.Y. Giants20199501272914201217
N.Y. Jets162512406191259057
Philadelphia162210901481785089
Pittsburgh172096091119941154
San Francisco18301441141620980119
Seattle16381900172117851710
Tampa Bay16147005917850107
Tennessee1613651851887099
Washington1611550742512501114
Totals2676673276331735066732763350317