re: Rules Experts: The lack of a runoff after illegal shift

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Theoretically, perhaps. I don't know if a player in the heat of the moment would think to tackle using the face mask just to stop the clock. If it ever happens in a big game, and people make a big deal about it, it might be changed. That's how rules changes happen sometimes. edit...it would be the offense, not the defense. So an offensive player would have to have the presence of mind to block in the back while the ball is live. Usually they are looking to receive a lateral.

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Thank you for actually answering this. Yes, it is not likely, but it is possible. It is definitely possible for a coach to instruct a player that this is his specific job on that one play. It's also very possible, probably more so, that this would happen unintentionally.

And what is the reason for the rules to be written this way in the first place? Regardless of whether it's a dead ball or live ball penalty, the clock is stopping after a penalty. The only difference is whether it starts again on ready for play or snap. Either way, it benefits the offense.