If a team is penalized for illegal motion, what effect does this have on the outcome of the play?

When a team is penalized for illegal motion, the play does not stand as if it happened without penalty. Instead, the rules stipulate that the penalty results in the play being replayed from the original spot. This is because illegal motion is typically a pre-snap infraction, meaning the team committed the violation before the play started. Therefore, since the offense has not been properly executed, the down is not counted; the team must re-attempt the play, giving them another chance to execute the intended play correctly without the repercussions of the penalty. This enforcement allows for a fair opportunity for the offense to continue their advancement without being hindered by the early violation.