The snap down play for O line

Question
I'm trying to find the high school rules interpretation of whether or not the snap down is legal in attempting to draw the defense offsides.  By snap down, I am talking about all offensive players, other than the center, being up in a 2-point stance, then during the cadence, they "snap down" to a 3 point stance in unison.  Is this a legal "shift"?  I don't see how it can be viewed as deceptive, or that it "simulates" the start of a play...how can going down to a 3 point stance be even remotely considered to begin a play?  I'm curious as to whether this is a legal play or not...thank you for your help with this.

Answer
It is illegal.  The intent to cause the defense to foul (encroach) is illegal and unethical (per Football Code) in and of itself.  There are two schools of thought involving your play.  

One school of thought it is a false start as it simulate the start of a play to the extent it is designed to cause the defense to jump and this first school of thought is to shut down the play immediately and penalized the offense five yards from the previous spot and replay the down.

The second school of thought is that your play is an illegal shift,(live ball foul) and the play should be allowed to continue so the defense can take the result of the play, or five yard penalty from previous spot and replay the down.  I personally believe it should be a dead ball Illegal Procedure or False Start foul and should never be allowed to be a live ball foul.

The answer your question it is a foul because it is attempting to draw the defense offside,  This is an unfair and unsportsmanlike tactic.  Per NHSF Football Rule 7-1-7
A shift or feigned shift simulates action at the snap;
any act that is clearly intended to cause B to encroach;  
- and/or - any player between the snapper and the player at the end of the offensive line moves his hand or makes any quick movement after placing his hand(s) on or near the ground is a  5 yard foul for illegal procedure.
False Start by Team A Player
Shift that simulates action at the snap. (7-1-7-a)
Feigned charge that simulates action at the snap.(7-1-7-a)
Any act clearly intended to cause Team B to encroach. (7-1-7-b)
Any Team A player on his line between the snapper and he player on the end of his line, after placing hand(s) on or near the ground, may not move his hand(s) or make any quick movement (7-1-7-c)

In your play if the offense go into a 3 point stance with out trying to draw the defense to encroach and are smooth but quick intheir movement it can be considered legal so long as all lineman are set prior to the ball being snapped.  The 3 point stance is not the issue it is the underlying design of the play.  Remember the rules are to serve equity and the offense has the advantage at the snap of knowing the snap count the defense is at the disadvantage.  To allow the  snap down play you describe places the defense at even a great disadvantage.

I hope this help answer your question.
Victor Winnek
NCAA Football Official