Trick plays

[Bob M.]

REPLY: We always ask the coach in the pre-game if he plans on using any unusual plays during the game. We intentionally do not use the word "trick." We ask him so that we can be aware of anything his team might do out of the ordinary. We also want to inform him if anything he has planned might violate the provisions of 9-6-4c (using a player, sub, or replaced player to deceive the opponent) or which might violate the principles espoused in the Case Book play 9.9.3 Situation B ("Where's the tee?" play). The coach is under no obligation to reveal anyhting to us at this time. However, as BigGref points out, he must tell us of any planned loose ball plays in the vicinity of the snapper prior to the snap.

NF 7-2-8: Any Team A player on his line of scrimmage may not advance a planned loose ball in the vicinity of the snapper unless the referee is notified before the snap that the play will be run during that down.