Side Snap Still Legal?

[jTheUmp]

Side snaps, in and of themselves, are legal as long as they comply with the requirements in 2-40-2.

However, the "wrong ball" play is illegal.

Originally Posted by *9.10.1 SITUATION B, emphasis mine

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.

Unfortunately, there are A LOT of officials (especially those working the Jr High and below ranks) who do not both to know the rules and case plays well enough to know that these types of plays aren't legal.