Curious about Disconcerting Signals
I was curious about the disconcerting signals call. Partly because it's an unusual penalty, and partly because that has particularly seemed to stick in the craw of Nebraska fans. There's an argument to be made that the confusion it caused wasn't intentional, although I think it's a little disingenuous. Anyways, I read about it more, and though other MGoBloggers might be interested in what I found.
The short version is that the call was 100% correct.
Here's the long version:
The Rule
The relevant NCAA rule is 7-1-5-a-5: "No player shall use words or signals that disconcert opponents when they are preparing to put the ball in play. No player may call defensive signals that simulate the sound or cadence of, or otherwise interfere with, offensive starting signals." [1] That certainly sounds like clapping is violating the rule, since many teams, like Michigan, using a clap as an offensive start signal. Additionally, there's no clause in the rule about intent, so the argument that the player was signaling another defensive player is irrelevant.
The Interpretation
However, I read an article that noted clapping was specifically forbidden, so I investigated further because it's not specifically mentioned in the rule, or in the relevant interpretations section. It turns out that several teams started clapping on defense, including Pat Narduzzi's defenses at Michigan State [2] and later at Pitt [3], trying to exploit some ambiguity there (or at least the reticence of refs to call the penalty). In response, the NCAA made it explicit in 2016: "We are directing our officials to treat clapping by the defense prior to the snap as an attempt to simulate the offensive team’s starting signals. Thus, this action is a foul under Rule 7-1-5-a-5." [4]
The Conclusion
So, clapping is clearly a penalty, and was correctly called. I saw complaints from Nebraska fans that it wasn't fair because other Nebraska claps weren't penalized, but this is clearly the officials using judgement to Nebraska's benefit: other claps weren't flagged because they didn't cause a false start. Once it causes a false start, the officials must either call the correct penalty on Nebraska or the incorrect penalty on Michigan (and they chose the incorrect penalty at least once, in Michigan's second play on offense). There were also complaints from Nebraska that Iowa's sideline clapped to confuse Nebraska during their game; I didn't watch, but if it happened that would be a fair complaint.
Disconcerting Signals Called on Michigan
You may also remember Michigan getting called for disconcerting signals against Michigan State last year. I have blocked that game from my memory, but it may have been similar to when Don Brown yelled "Move!" loudly and the entire defensive line shifted, as they did against Michigan State the year before, causing a lineman to jump. Although not the exact snapping signal, it's pretty clearly designed to create the same effect and I think clearly violates the rule. But in 2019, it didn't get called against Michigan, so the false start pushed State back 5 yards, causing the Spartans to decide to punt instead of trying to go for it. In case you've forgotten the awesomeness, it's good to remind you what happened on the next two plays:
Citations:
[1] 2021 NCAA Rules and Interpretations: https://www.dfoa.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/2021-NCAA-FB-Rulebook.pdf
[2] "Spartan clapping produced confusion on snaps, Pelini says" https://theindependent.com/sports/spartan-clapping-produced-confusion-on-snaps-pelini-says/article_adb2d2d6-4ea3-11e4-b4a9-8fe2aeed6e2a.html
[3] "James Franklin on Pitt’s defensive clapping: ‘It’s illegal’" https://www.centredaily.com/sports/college/penn-state-university/psu-football/article101582737.html
[4] "Officiating and Coaching Guidelines: Clapping as a Defensive Team Signal" https://cfo.arbitersports.com/Groups/104777/Library/files/2016_Defense_Clapping.pdf
October 12th, 2021 at 12:46 AM ^
I am disconcerted about disconcerted signals that may cause a disconcerting penalty.
October 12th, 2021 at 1:00 AM ^
That rule is pretty clear. It's not confusing, unsettling, disturbing, or alarming, i.e., the rule is not disconcerting.
October 12th, 2021 at 1:11 AM ^
I remember Nebraska getting mad about clapping coming from the Iowa sideline so it's pretty hilarious to see them up in arms about it. I would say clapping on the sideline should not be considered a simulated snap count but 2020 without fans was probably an outlier.
https://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/scott-frost-blames-iowa-loss-sideline-clapping
It's also ironic because I believe Bo Pelini, when at Nebraska, was a champion of getting clapping, specifically, added to the rule following a 2014 game against MSU.
October 12th, 2021 at 10:24 AM ^
I guess it is not that much different that an old dude yelling "Move!" from the sideline.
October 12th, 2021 at 1:15 AM ^
I'm sure they found it disconcerting when the ref signaled Michigan's ball on Hawkins's rip-and-recover.
October 12th, 2021 at 9:09 AM ^
"I thought the play was over and we were in a group hug." ~ Adrian Martinez
October 12th, 2021 at 2:46 AM ^
"this is clearly the officials using judgement to Nebraska's benefit: other claps weren't flagged because they didn't cause a false start"
Did a Nebraska defensive player clapping on Michigan's opening drive cause a false start?
October 12th, 2021 at 6:48 AM ^
Supposedly yes, twice.
October 12th, 2021 at 7:47 AM ^
on the second play of the game, it was 2nd and 6 and one of their DT's was clapping like a bandit and caused our LT or LG to jump, so then it was 2nd and 11 instead of what was rightfully a 2nd and 1. so yeah, they used it, got the benefit, and only got called out once in the middle of the second quarter.
incidentally, it is not an intent to deceive when we shift our DL once the OL gets set. it is a common tactic to confuse the opposing OL as they are trying to pick their blocking assignments. it is generally called 'stemming' and is not a foul in any league.
October 12th, 2021 at 8:21 AM ^
I don't think anyone is suggesting that the DL cannot shift. It's the clapping or possibly yelling something that might be misconstrued by the offense as an indication to shift that could be a penalty.
October 12th, 2021 at 8:51 AM ^
it was mentioned in the thread, thus i made comment.
October 12th, 2021 at 9:46 AM ^
The time UM was penalized was when Don Brown shouted from the sideline, then the DL moved. I think this combination is what earned the flag, not just the DL moving.
October 12th, 2021 at 12:17 PM ^
Exactly, that was my point in the original post, but I see how it could be misunderstood: it's the shout from Don Brown that earns the penalty. The shift is coordinated with it to draw State offsides, but the shift alone wouldn't be enough.
October 12th, 2021 at 3:44 AM ^
I went back and watched the film for the clapping by Nebraska and a couple things stood out:
1. Nebraska clapped several times and generally, the clapping was done by the defensive line (once was by a linebacker).
2. The clapping was usually on a short distance to a first down, usually a third and short. On a few occasions it was blatant. After Michigan was called for one if its false starts, the D-Line congratulated the D-tackle who clapped and drew the penalty. Even after they were whistled for the disconcerting signals, the clapping continued.
October 12th, 2021 at 7:49 AM ^
Yes, Nebraska continued to clap. I was surprised that they didn't try to pretend it was a defensive signal but their was no coordinated movement or eye-contact to go with the clapping. They were just clapping while staring at the Michigan QB. (This was the play after the penalty.)
October 12th, 2021 at 10:18 AM ^
There are many valid complaints about this not being called correctly. However, as they say in the fighting world, "don't leave it in the judges' hands" - where was the switch to a silent snap count? I hope that's an option or something they've practiced by MSU and PSU, because those games are also going to be loud.
October 12th, 2021 at 5:23 AM ^
There is no way the coaches and players were not aware of this and therefore it had to be deliberate. Pretending to look at another defensive player was just part of the ruse...its not a horrible tactic given how reticent the refs were to call it..but it is a risk by the D.
October 12th, 2021 at 11:40 AM ^
Yeah, I wrote at the beginning that claiming it was accidental was a little disingenuous, but I should have changed that later, it's blatantly not true. After watching the Nebraska DL get Michigan to jump on the second play, it was clear the clapping was intentional. As another poster stated, the Nebraska player is not only not communicating with anyone, but his teammates congratulated him afterwards.
October 12th, 2021 at 5:57 AM ^
Interesting read. Also, Texas A&M got called twice for “disconcerting signals” on Saturday.
October 12th, 2021 at 9:04 AM ^
I watched two other games Saturday and it was called in both. One misconception is that it's a rarely called penalty.
October 12th, 2021 at 6:04 AM ^
I think it's called cheating.
October 12th, 2021 at 6:05 AM ^
I just always understood it as "interfering with the offensive signals" which I thought was a bigger penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. (as a freshman in high school I thought I was a genius when this worked for me until the second time I tried it and got flagged)
October 12th, 2021 at 6:23 AM ^
It also appeared to me early on that the clapping came in conjunction with a shift by the defensive line to entice our oline to move.
its 100% a penalty and was called correctly.
October 12th, 2021 at 6:32 AM ^
I was thinking about this during the game as well, but then I remembered a discussion after a different game some time ago, and yeah, it's definitely a penalty. Nebraska seemed to be giving a try specifically during shifts in order to draw our offensive line into motion, at least for the most part.
Maybe if they try a silly walk next time, I guess.
October 12th, 2021 at 6:40 AM ^
Zoo curious?
Well documented post.
October 12th, 2021 at 9:35 AM ^
I know—footnotes and everything!
October 12th, 2021 at 6:41 AM ^
The Statue of Liberty is kaput? That’s disconcerting.
October 12th, 2021 at 7:06 AM ^
Perhaps Nebraska fans were especially disconcerted by the call because the announcers—McDonough, I believe—seemed to dismiss it as a minor infraction.
Not sure of the exact words but it was a kind of verbal shrug, something like, "Well, it didn't seem to have an effect but I guess it's a penalty." As if the refs penalized Nebraska for using "your" instead of "you're."
October 12th, 2021 at 7:20 AM ^
Discomfiting Signals is an even more serious penalty.
October 12th, 2021 at 7:39 AM ^
This should have been a diary.
October 12th, 2021 at 7:49 AM ^
Fuck Scott Frost for crying like a little bitch after his team was called for it. It sucks to get caught, doesn't it?
October 12th, 2021 at 8:35 AM ^
Maybe he has the Clap and was trying to get rid of it?
October 12th, 2021 at 8:25 AM ^
Good stuff.
In real time I thought it was weird their linebackers just kept clapping with an inconsistent cadence throughout the game, and while I didn't know the rule's name I knew it was a penalty because of the aforementioned Narduzzi thing. So glad I wasn't crazy.
It felt like Nebraska was going to break this out against UM because they figured it would work and, perhaps unsurprisingly, it did especially when the crowd got really loud. I've thought of Nebraska under Frost as Miami-West, in that they make a lot of mistakes and bend the rules in dumb ways even though they're probably talented enough to just play sound football and win.
October 12th, 2021 at 8:38 AM ^
Logged in to upvote for using footnotes.
October 12th, 2021 at 8:47 AM ^
Not surprised to learn the blame goes back to Pat "We're going to commit pass interference every play because the refs are only going to call it a couple times a game" Narduzzi.
October 12th, 2021 at 8:55 AM ^
If it makes Nebraska fans feel better, Texas A&M got called for it Saturday night. Just don't tell them that Texas A&M also went on to win the game.
October 12th, 2021 at 9:04 AM ^
You may also remember Michigan getting called for disconcerting signals against Michigan State last year. I have blocked that game from my memory
People joke about not remembering last year's game, but what's crazy is that 2019 was the most lopsided win over State in the Harbaugh era (and the only time Harbaugh's beaten State at home), and I have no memory of it at all. None whatsoever. I was apparently even at the game and don't remember it...
October 12th, 2021 at 9:12 AM ^
i missed the joy of that game, but was on the sidelines for one of our sons' high school playoff football games which i won't soon forget. i was getting periodic texts by another mgoblogger/lurker about the U of M v. sparty score. it was a very fine day.
October 12th, 2021 at 9:58 AM ^
I have a pet peeve for lack of sources. You sir did great. Thank you
October 12th, 2021 at 11:57 AM ^
And not just cites, but working links to the material. Great job.
October 12th, 2021 at 10:33 AM ^
The 2019 MSU game was an all time fun day from start to finish. A sunny, chilly November day for some terrific tailgating. I was the drunkest I had been walking into the Big House for a game since my college days. So drunk in fact that I was still hammered into the 4th quarter. Such a fun game and then Ann Arbor was rocking into the evening and night celebrating the win afterwards. Good times
October 12th, 2021 at 1:42 PM ^
What a shock that Narduzzi was doing this. He is such a dirty coach.
October 12th, 2021 at 1:44 PM ^
Also, Nebraska uses more clapping for their snap count than any other team I know of, so you can be 100% sure they knew all about this rule.
October 12th, 2021 at 2:19 PM ^
When I watched the Alabama Texas A&M game, I noticed that the penalty happened at least twice. Prior to that, I think I have heard it called once or twice in about 10 years.
October 12th, 2021 at 5:20 PM ^
I have a white hat(it isn't John O'Neal) friend who is a College official. We talked at length about this game. He says disconcerning signals happens all the time. They basically tell them to knock it off. Nebraska must have pushed it after being warned. Also 5 in the back field missed. PI for Henning was also incorrect.