"Sleeper" Play

[scrounge]

Originally Posted by raiderfan

i am sure NFHS didn't have this play in mind when the free blocking zone was established. A defensive tackle launching into the belly of the O-lineman would cause serious injury. So if you think this play is legal, i think you ought to rethink.

If you want to argue it's an unfair act, unless they say something like pretending there's something wrong with the ball or something, I disagree but at least there's a rule we can discuss. If you're going to make the argument you're making, though, where's the rule support for that beside your own sensibilities of what's right and wrong? The offense controls the snap, if they're not prepared then shame on them. As long as the contact is legal, no spearing, etc., then what's the issue?

[zm1283]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

standing up and looking at the sideline is the very definition of an action that would make the defense think a snap is not imminent.

Then the defense needs to pay better attention. When coaching defensive linemen, I'd would tell them that any time the center's hand is on the ball the snap is imminent.

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I would like a ruling from my state association to go with a penalty here. Otherwise the defense should be aware that they can snap the ball in this situation. If the QB moved to the sideline then I would agree. But I am not convinced without some guidance from the state to say for sure. And I see your point as well as others, but I think that this is not clearly a foul.

Peace

I agree with you. I don't see how this is illegal. Is it kind of bush league? Yes, but I don't see where you draw the line.

[PAUmpire]

Originally Posted by zm1283

Then the defense needs to pay better attention. When coaching defensive linemen, I'd would tell them that any time the center's hand is on the ball the snap is imminent.



I agree with you. I don't see how this is illegal. Is it kind of bush league? Yes, but I don't see where you draw the line.

I concur, The D line should have stayed focused on the snappers hands. The fact that he was still down should have tipped them off. Also I wish we had some sound, so we can see if there were words said that made this more unfair. "the ball is deflated" rule in the casebook. The actions alone i think dont really make this illegal in my judgement. I concur that it is bush-league though.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by zm1283

Then the defense needs to pay better attention. When coaching defensive linemen, I'd would tell them that any time the center's hand is on the ball the snap is imminent.

What you might coach is irrelevant. The rule quite plainly says that you can't do this. And this (or very similar plays) is what we see in videos during clinics to explain this rule.

[Adam]

Everyone standing up and staring at the sideline is practically screaming that there is no snap imminent. Just because the snapper keeps his head down, that means nothing. Isn't he prevented by rule from lifting his hand once he places it on the ball? The defense would know that, too.

I'd kill it.

[scrounge]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

What you might coach is irrelevant. The rule quite plainly says that you can't do this. And this (or very similar plays) is what we see in videos during clinics to explain this rule.

I'm not so sure it's that clear cut....the comment posted above says if the offense leads the defense to believe there's a problem AND a snap is imminent. If they just look at the sideline for the play, in what way have they led the defense to believe there's a problem? The "this ball is flat" bush league play certainly meets that condition, but I don't see that in this case. This one falls into the "say we're spiking it and run a play (NOT a fake kneel or spike but just saying it pre-snap)" a la the Lions a couple weeks ago, IMO.