Unfair tactic?

[cperezprg]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n3B3H4DogE&feature=youtu.be
Ignore the little illegal motion or illegal shift/false start by wide reciever. Imagine he was set properly.

b.   No simulated replacements or substitutions may be used to confuse
opponents. No tactic associated with substitutes or the substitution process
may be used to confuse opponents

There's no real substitution proccess here cause nobody came in, but a player seemed to break the huddle to go to his team area.

Foul or not?

[mishatx]

This one is close to the edge, but I'd go with legal, because:

1. He goes by himself - there's not simulated substitution.
2. He lines up as a player - he's not facing the bench and talking to the coach like he came off the field.

[NVFOA_Ump]

Agreed that it's close to the line but I'd have a flag here.  He very clearly heads immediately and directly to the sideline and as he reaches the sideline he is slowing down as he's facing the sideline, talking to a coach like he's getting an explanation of what he did wrong on the previous play.  This is (IMHO) a clearly orchestrated play that involves the coaching staff and is intended to deceive by making it look like he's leaving the field.

Since the play execution is seriously flawed and the defender reacts very quickly maybe a "Do that again and it's a flag!" here, but this type of action is against the rule.

[Kalle]

Illegal. My motto is: can you run the play to the other sideline? I think the answer here is "no", thus it is illegal deception.

[Magician]

I would not consider this an unfair act. Nobody is coming on the field and they are disguising it in a mass substitution. It's not unusual to see receivers leave the huddle quickly. You definitely have an illegal shift or illegal motion (HS) or false start (NCAA) so just go with that.

[The Roamin' Umpire]

Don't remember if the NCAA has this rule, and don't have time to check right now, but...

In NFHS, this is a foul because the player is not within the numbers at any point after the ready-for-play. We can see the white hat clearly and he never blows it in while he is on screen, and then the WR is at the sideline.

Honestly, that would be the "friendly" call, though, because that's only a 5-yard penalty - I see this as a pretend substitution, which would be 15.

[Legacy Zebra]

There's no RFP on this play. Since they are using the 40 second play clock, the ball is ready as soon as the umpire spots it and steps away. The receiver only has to be between the numbers at some point after the previous play.

[NVFOA_Ump]

Illegal. My motto is: can you run the play to the other sideline? I think the answer here is "no", thus it is illegal deception.

I'd agree with Kalle.  If for the "I'm leaving the field of play" charade to work it requires that it take place on only one sideline (where your coach is) then it's illegal deception.  We can't hear what's going on here but the A player and coach are clearly having a discussion as he reaches the sideline before he turns just before the snap.

[bkdow]

Is this a live ball or deadball foul?

[The Roamin' Umpire]

There's no RFP on this play. Since they are using the 40 second play clock, the ball is ready as soon as the umpire spots it and steps away. The receiver only has to be between the numbers at some point after the previous play.

Ah, thanks. In that case, as Al likes to say, it's down to judgment. Mine is that this is an illegal hideout play, but I'm not on that field that day.

[centexsports]

I am probably in the minority but the corner back sees the wide out and he covers him.   There is no advantage gained and no subs enter the game as a cover up for a substitution trick play.   I say no foul.

[Kalle]

I am probably in the minority but the corner back sees the wide out and he covers him.   There is no advantage gained and no subs enter the game as a cover up for a substitution trick play.   I say no foul.

I missed the action by the corner before the snap. I do agree with you that based on the defense not being fooled you could let this go with a talk-to.

Take a look at the action of the backfield players. To me this looks like a choreographed action designed to fool the defense into thinking that the player doing the hide-out first comes in mimicking an incoming substitute and then within three seconds he leaves as if he is replaced.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I seem to remember RR always ruling these types of plays as illegal even if they are somewhat far from the substitution process or equipment.

[Etref]

I am probably in the minority but the corner back sees the wide out and he covers him.   There is no advantage gained and no subs enter the game as a cover up for a substitution trick play.   I say no foul.

If an offensive lineman move and a defender does not react....

Using your logic what would you have if the defender did not react and cover the wide out?

Foul as this is a planned action attempting to disguise as a replaced player. He goes to the sideline and faces the coach and appears to engage him

[cperezprg]

This time, the trick went wrong. But other times, they surprised the defense and also scored touchdown.

Normally, the 'replaced' player doesn't communicate with the sideline and is set properly before the snap.
Does that change your ruling?

I'm officiating this team tomorrow and I will be in his sideline. Don't think they will do it again because every team knows now the trick, but just in case ...

[Kalle]

Normally, the 'replaced' player doesn't communicate with the sideline and is set properly before the snap.
Does that change your ruling?

No, it doesn't. If the team does this constantly, I'd ask for a ruling from your federation.