We got some teams that I think are trying to pull some tricks. So, they line up on 4th down and 10 from the 50 with 5 players 50 through 79 on the LOS with the ends on both sides of the formation lined up wide with an appropriate number of backs. The QB is under the snapper and gives a hard count with no exaggerated movement. He then smoothly comes up and backpedals to 10 yards deep and (a) just as he gets set the ball is snapped or (b) is set for a few seconds, and he punts the ball out of bounds to the B-10. Prior to the snap, B90 was lined up directly within the frame of the snapper within 1 yard of the LOS. Ruling:
Easy answer. Just ask this question: Was it OBVIOUS that a kick would be made? Answer: Not when they start in one formation, then switch to another. Under those conditions, how obvious to Team B is it that Team A would snap the ball and make a kick? Or, would they change formation again?
Although not a rule, if they want to have the advantages that a SKF provides, they need to make it obvious they are going to make a kick from the moment they first approach the neutral zone to set their formation.
B, 1/10, B-15, OR, A, 4/15, A-45.
