# NFL: defense (not) in motion **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 23, 2007, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-defense-not-in-motion/389092 "2007-01-23T14:48:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![NoCoolUserName](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5fc32e/32.png) [@NoCoolUserName](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoCoolUserName)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-defense-not-in-motion/389092/1 "2007-01-23T14:48:04Z")
[70s-80s football offensive line movements](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=405191) is asking about the Dallas offensive line “bob” which might be an attempt to throw off the defense. Why is it that the defense doesn’t move once the offense is set? I see quarterbacks and the center point out defenders that must be accounted for–why don’t they move after they’ve been pointed at? Wouldn’t that throw off the offense? ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-defense-not-in-motion/389092/2 "2007-01-23T15:00:59Z")
[QUOTE=NoCoolUserName] Why is it that the defense doesn’t move once the offense is set? I see quarterbacks and the center point out defenders that must be accounted for–why don’t they move after they’ve been pointed at? Wouldn’t that throw off the offense? [/QUOTE] 😕 Your question is based on a false premise. The defenders move all the time (often at the very last second, as in faking a blitz), and are free to do so until the snap. In addition, merely getting pointed out by an offensive player doesn’t necessarily mean that a defender feels obliged to change position – the defender may well have the assignment of tying up an extra blocker. The defender can also drop back at the snap, leaving the blocker lunging into air. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-defense-not-in-motion/389092/3 "2007-01-23T17:15:27Z")
[QUOTE=NoCoolUserName] Why is it that the defense doesn’t move once the offense is set? I see quarterbacks and the center point out defenders that must be accounted for–why don’t they move after they’ve been pointed at? Wouldn’t that throw off the offense? [/QUOTE] Often they do move. Sometimes they don’t move, because they don’t have to. And sometimes they WANT to be pointed out, to deceive the offensive line or the blocking back into looking for something out of them, instead of looking for it from, say, the free safety timing a perfect blizt at the snap. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-defense-not-in-motion/389092/4 "2007-01-23T17:37:58Z")
To add… not only do they move but they sometimes can be approaching the line at near full speed by watching the 24 second clock to judge the latest point by which the quarterback must call for the snap. There’s little to keep them from not moving except for their position already being optimal. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-defense-not-in-motion/389092/5 "2007-01-23T17:59:01Z")
Two reasons. Defenses are naturally reactive, not active. They do change formation, especially if the quarterback checks off to a different play. They also have some set disguises where they hide or fake a blitz using motion. The defender can’t just move when pointed out, he’s got an area and people to cover, he can’t go out of position. Any moves have to coincide with moves and coverage from everyone else. You will sometimes see the middle linebacker calling a new play when the QB gets to the line. Second reason, some defensive moves are [against the rules](http://www.nfl.com/fans/rules/positionofplayers) > [@](#): > > No player of the defensive team within one yard of the line of scrimmage may make an abrupt movement in an attempt to cause the offense to false start.