Trick play

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by bisonlj

The way this is being described there is an attempt to use a substitution to deceive the opponent. That is a foul. If it was just a simple shift of 9 players then there is no issue. If there are no players coming on the field (which I assume there aren't) then this is just a shift and legal assuming they have 7 players on the LOS and five of them are numbered 50-79.

This would only be a foul if it was coupled with people coming on at the same time. No substitution is taking place here - this play is completely legal.

[bigjohn]

That depends MD, if there is a lot of talk of getting off the field or other comments then it could be deemed illegal.

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.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by bigjohn

That depends MD, if there is a lot of talk of getting off the field or other comments then it could be deemed illegal.

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.

True. If you change the play entirely and add things not posted --- the ruling could be different. As usual.

[bisonlj]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

This would only be a foul if it was coupled with people coming on at the same time. No substitution is taking place here - this play is completely legal.

I agree but his original post stated:

Most of the players break formation and walk toward right sideline as if they were going to bring on the offense and "go for it".

I'm not sure how it would appear they were being subbed without players coming on the field at the same time but these were his words.