A recent trick play from El Camino High School in California is sparking a debate about trick plays. If you haven’t watched it – take a look.
If you can’t quite understand what is going on, during the middle of a high school football game, the quarterback takes the snap casually and yells “Wrong ball!” (directed toward the closest official) as he starts strolling to the sideline. Then the quarterback sprints for the end zone, unmolested by stupefied defenders.
Since watching this play, I have been asking others what they think. The responses have been interesting. (One coach of 9,10 year olds defends the use of trick plays in general on the premise that it keeps the game fun for the players.)
What I have found is that most of those I have talked to don’t have a good way to think through this issue (including me when I first began thinking about it). Several have an intuitively negative reaction but can’t articulate why.
What do you think about the practice of using trick plays?
Do you see the difference between a fake and a trick play like this one in the video (recognizing a continuum for such a practice)?
Would you be comfortable with some ideas like a “fake handoff” but not with something like the above play? (This play is similar to The Barking Dog Play for basketball shown here.)
What are we teaching players (especially younger ones) through the use of trick plays?
What principles should help us think through this issue of trick plays?
Post your responses. Look for some further thoughts in a future blog.
–
