Verbal deception on A

[ref49873]

Originally Posted by ToGreySt

I had this play in a JV game this week. 4th and 5, A lines up and one of the players on A yells "PUNT, PUNT!" and then they snap the ball and run the ball up the middle for a first down, the WH flags them for an "unfair act" because it made the defence send someone deep to field the punt.

seems very similar to the OP situation, any comments?

Joe

I don't see any problem with this. It is really no different than an audible at the LOS. The defense should stay alert for play changes and we as officials should not bail them out when they guess wrong.

[Mike L]

One must remember that there is a great difference between actions that make it seem play is not about to happen (not legal) vs actions that make it seem a specific type of play may or may not happen (legal).

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by ToGreySt

I had this play in a JV game this week. 4th and 5, A lines up and one of the players on A yells "PUNT, PUNT!" and then they snap the ball and run the ball up the middle for a first down, the WH flags them for an "unfair act" because it made the defence send someone deep to field the punt.

seems very similar to the OP situation, any comments?

Joe

And just as wrong as the OP. Totally legal.