Unfair Act

[shooter1]

QB is set up 5 yards deep to receive a shotgun snap--running back is 2 yards behind QB.  QB starts to walk out toward his wide receiver and says--"Billy, you are lined up wrong".  So now the QB is 5 yards out toward his wide receiver.  When he said "wrong", the ball is snapped to the running back and the QB enters in the mix as a pass receiver.
Question is this--page 94 of the case book--9.10.1.Situation B---should the play I just described fall under the same Unsportsmanlike Guidelines as this Situation?

Larry R.

[bama_stripes]

Yes.

Actions or verbiage designed to make the defense think there is a problem and the snap is not imminent are illegal.

[ncwingman]

I think I'd have to see it to tell. Since this doesn't imply a problem with game equipment (wrong ball, missing tee, etc.), but just a shift in formation, I'd be likely to give it leeway on UNS since there's nothing wrong with (legally) shifting formation while the ball is snapped.

HOWEVER -- when the QB approaches Billy, did Billy react causing an illegal shift? I'd be scrutinizing that like the Zapruder film

[VALJ]

 

Shifts, motion and the like (as long as they're done in the manner prescribed by the rules) are fine.  Verbal deception along the lines of this, the "where's the tee" play, and the "this is the wrong ball" play are not.

[HLinNC]

I'd have to factor in how loudly did the QB say "Billy you're lined up wrong".
Sounds iffy, pushing the line.

[Ralph Damren]

The intent of Case 9.10.1B was to eliminate plays of this nature. The loudness of one's voice, the direction of someone's walk, etc has no baring on the the play being one that should appear on Saturday Night Live and the like and not on a football field. I we were to list 100 trick plays we considered unsportsmanlike, a creative coach would come up with #101.

I'm fully aware as to the intent of this case as I was it's author back in 2001 as a member of the Editorial Committee.

[hefnerjm]

The intent of Case 9.10.1B was to eliminate plays of this nature. The loudness of one's voice, the direction of someone's walk, etc has no baring on the the play being one that should appear on Saturday Night Live and the like and not on a football field. I we were to list 100 trick plays we considered unsportsmanlike, a creative coach would come up with #101.

I'm fully aware as to the intent of this case as I was it's author back in 2001 as a member of the Editorial Committee.

So, where is the line between effective misdirection and unfair deception?

[DallasLJ]

So, where is the line between effective misdirection and unfair deception?

  The line is silence!!!!  Silence cannot be misinterpretated.

[ncwingman]

  The line is silence!!!!  Silence cannot be misinterpretated.

So snapping "on two" is unfair deception?

The line is whether the action has anything to do with the game and a legal play. A man in motion or shift to a legal formation is part of the game. Saying "Wait! Steve has to tie his shoe!" is not part of the game.

[Ralph Damren]

  The line is silence!!!!  Silence cannot be misinterpretated.

IMHO, the line would extend to some silent acts such as an act of pretended disgust by the QB toward a back who's pretending to be confused, etc,etc. I believe the drama team isn't formed until after the Fall sports season and those "talented" football players should save their skills until then.

IMHO, the list of unsportsmanlike acts with the intent of lulling the opponents that there's a problem and the snap isn't imminent is endless. These should be apparent to the officials in their pregame coaches meeting and advised then of their illegal nature. A barometer could be :

 Would Knute Rockne consider this good football?  .....If no, it's illegal.

 Would Coach B of OUR Patriots consider this good football?.....If yes, it's illegal .

If I was a  coach, some distractions I might consider....

QB to D-Line : "Whew, the center just 'cut one' ,let's just back off and take a deep breath "
 QB then backs off,holding his nose...direct snap to tailback.

QB to D :" :!#WOW! The prom queen's clothes just fell off "
 QB rubs his eyes...direct snap to tailback >

QB sneaks loaf of bread under his jersey . Direct snap to tailback. QB pulls out bread, pretending he's going to pass . As hungry D-linemen close in, QB throws them slices of bread .

On the second thought, I don't think I'd want to coach...

[ncwingman]

Would Knute Rockne consider this good football?  .....If no, it's illegal.

I don't know... Knute is the reason why we can't have multiple men in motion anymore.

[VALJ]

QB sneaks loaf of bread under his jersey . Direct snap to tailback. QB pulls out bread, pretending he's going to pass . As hungry D-linemen close in, QB throws them slices of bread .

If the QB brings a box of  , the U would fight the D line for them...

[AlUpstateNY]

For better, or worse, rule makers decided long, long ago that "judgment" is best placed in the hands of a single, impartial source, on many matters related to the game and should be exercised under the basic principle of, "In the spirit of good sportsmanship (NF 6-1-1)".

There is no guarantee, implied or otherwise, that all such judgments will be absolutely perfect, withstand legal interpretations, or satisfy every conceivable challenge, but the decision to rest final judgment authority with "the referee", simply is what it is.

The NFHS "Game Official's Manual"" under "Basic Philosophy & Principles", initial section, "Prerequisites for Good Officiating" reminds us (2nd paragraph on page 6), "THE BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR ALL SPORTS GAME OFFICIALS IS COURAGE"  , and often being willing to do what we believe to be the right thing to do, when there is no specific instruction, despite objection and criticism, is a test each of has to face, ultimately alone.