What is the difference between offsides and false start?

Sorry.. it's kind of a silly question, I know. I know they're very similar. I just don't understand the difference...What is the difference between offsides and false start?
Rat Pack is exactly right. If an offensive or defensive player sets himself and he is across the line of scrimmage, he is offside, and will be flagged for it. Offside is actually a penalty where the player is not moving. False start is when an offensive player moves after being set, encroachment is when a defensive player moves into the neutral zone and either makes contact with an offensive player or fails to get onside before the snap. Hope this helps.What is the difference between offsides and false start?
Offsides (NCAA or NFL) or encroachment (HS) is the lining up of an offensive player in stance or of a defensive player stationary or moving into the neutral zone. It is a five yard penalty - live ball in NFL/NCAA and a dead ball foul in HS.





Encroachment in NCAA and NFL is the moving of the defensive team across the neutral zone with contact of an offensive lineman. Five yards -- dead ball.





A false start is the movement of an offensive player in stance that simulates the start of the play without the ball being snapped. It can also be a hitched snap (not one continuous motion) by the center. Five yards - dead ball.
Some people don't know the difference between offsides and encroachment either. Offsides is when a person lines up (without moving) across the neutral zone. Both the offense and defense can do this.





False start is when the offensive player moves after being set, but before the ball is snapped.





Encroachment is when the defensive player moves across the neutral zone and is there when the ball is snapped.
False start is an offensive penalty. All offensive players on the Line of scrimmage must be set before the snap. If a lineman jumps, even a bit before the snap, it's a False Start.





Offside occurs when a defensive player crosses the line of scrimmage before the snap.
Offsides is when a defensive player is beyond the neutral zone.


False start is when an offensive player who is not allowed to move, moves prior to the snap of the ball.
Offsides is when a defensive players crosses the line before the snap





False Start is when an offensive player moves before the snap
No, that's a great question. I need to know, too.