Official USA Football Rule on Trick Plays

 

There has been much debate about trick plays in youth football the last few weeks. We've all seen, and discussed, the merits of such plays. Below is a passage from our 2010 Youth Football Rulebookregarding trick plays:


Trick Plays and Unfair Acts

It is a fundamental core belief of USA Football that coaches demand sportsmanship from their players and, equally important, lead by example.  Coaches must always remember that the players look to them for positive life skills and values.

With that in mind, USA Football takes the position that coaches should refrain from teaching their players and teams techniques and plays that have no place in youth sports.  Examples of deceptive plays include but are not limited to "hideout" plays or "wrong ball" plays.

Strategic deception has been and always will be part of football, such as multiple shifts, unusual formations and creative plays.  However, actions or verbiage designed to confuse the defense into believing there is a problem and a snap isn't imminent, or planned loose ball plays, are beyond the scope of sportsmanship and are illegal.  Respect your opponent.  Respect the game.
For more information on our 2010 Youth Football Rulebook, click here.

                                         


Trick Play in football gone bad

              
This Play is  illegal !!!!!

 

Actions or verbiage designed to confuse

the defense into believing there is problem and a snap isn’t imminent is

beyond the scope of sportsmanship and is illegal.

 

It is a 15 yard unsportsmanlike foul and the ball remains dead.


NFHS FOOTBALL CASE BOOK rules 2008 - 2009

nfhs 

2009 Case Book


*9.9.1 SITUATION B: From a field goal formation, potential kicker A1 yells,

“Where’s the tee?” A2 replies, “I’ll go get it” and goes legally in motion toward

his team’s sideline. Ball is snapped to A1 who throws a touchdown pass to A2.

RULING: Unsportsmanlike conduct prior to snap. The ball should be declared

dead and the foul enforced as a dead-ball foul. COMMENT: Football has been and

always will be a game of deception and trickery involving multiple shifts, unusual

formations and creative plays. However, actions or verbiage designed to confuse

the defense into believing there is problem and a snap isn’t imminent is

beyond the scope of sportsmanship and is illegal.

 

 

2008 Case Book

 

9.9.3 SITUATION B: From a field goal formation, potential kicker A1 yells,

“Where’s the tee?” A2 replies, “I’ll go get it” and goes legally in motion toward

his team’s sideline. Ball is snapped to A1 who throws a touchdown pass to A2.

RULING: Unsportsmanlike conduct prior to snap. The ball should be declared

dead and the foul enforced as a dead-ball foul. COMMENT: Football has been and

always will be a game of deception and trickery involving multiple shifts, unusual

formations and creative plays. However, actions or verbiage designed to confuse

the defense into believing there is problem and a snap isn’t imminent is

beyond the scope of sportsmanship and is illegal.

 

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