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College Football/Trick play

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Expert: - 11/25/2007


Question
I coach Jr. Pee Wee football in California.  We follow the CIF High scool rules.  We have a wrong ball play.  Players line, center side snaps, q.b. says we have the wrong ball, walks to the sideline, then turns it up.  I have not run it yet.  Some officials say its ok. 1 said no.  can you help?  Thanks, Kevin

Answer
Kevin,

Thanks for the question, Sorry for the delay in my reply, I was traveling this Thanksgiving and just getting back from my game.

Definitively, this play is not legal under the National Federation High School Rules (followed by the CIF) or the NCAA rules.  It is considered an attempt to deceive and thus deemed unsportsmanlike conduct. There have been casebook play situations, Rules interpretations and bulletins addressing this play and a play similar to this where  a player runs to the side line calling for a Tee or calling for a shoe and while the defense is distracted the ball is snapped.  These plays are all deemed illegal and in violation of Rule 9, governing unfair tactics and unsportsmanlike conduct.

It is a great trick play and usually a successful play, but unfortunately it is not permitted.

Hope this helps.  Best of luck to you and your team.

Vic Winnek
NCAA Football Official

College Football

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Vic Winnek

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Will Answer all queries RE: Rules of Football - NCAA & Federation; Officiating; Instruction on Football; Mechanics & application of rules; Setting up Instructional programs and clinics for: Officials, coaches and media; Liability Issues (Legal & Insurance questions)arising from coaching, playing, refereeing, product liability. Serve as an Consultant and Expert Witness in Football Related Matters in Tort and Contract (Standard of Care for: officials, coaches, players, assignors, BOD; Player, equipment, field & stadium Safety; Fee issues, independant contractor workers compensation. History of the College football game -its evolution. MY PURPOSE IS TO INFORM & EDUCATE FANS, MEDIA, THOSE INTERESTED IN FOOTBALL ABOUT: THE RULES, THEIR APPLICATION, PHILOSOPHIES; OFFICIATING; LEGAL ISSUES INVOLVING FOOTBALL. I WILL NOT RESPOND TO BASHING OF TEAMS, COACHES OR OFFICIALS. I will not dignify rude or disparaging comments with a response, nor entertain questions that use profanity or questions that suggest Football officials are corupt, such an insinuation is ridiculous and ludicrous.

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24 years officiating High School & College football, NCAA Referee, Umpire, Back Judge & Line Judge 2 years Arena Football-substitution official Instructor of NCAA & Federation Officials, Played prep and college football; coached High School football; Athletic trainer; 23 years of instruction in Officiating Football

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Past President of Calif. Football Officials Assoc; Western Collegiate Football Officials Assoc.; CFOA-Long Beach Unit Board of Directors CFOA-South Bay Unit & Long Beach Unit, Pres. Executive Council of Calif. Football Officials Assoc.; CIF Presidents' Council on Officiating; Chairman Ethics Committee

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NCAA Div. 1 FCS & Div. III, 9 post season Bowl Games, play-offs, CIF Div. 1,2,3,5,8,9,10,12 Final, 10 years CIF Semi-finals, 19 years of CIF play-offs, California State High School Football Div. 1 Championship, Southern California Jr. College Championship, NCAA Div. III Semi-Final

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