Question on the trick play

[Sicilian]

Hey folks, I'm sure this was discussed in the game thread (or another subsequent thread), but I didn't have access to a computer most of yesterday and don't even know where to start looking through all of the sludge today.

On the Stuckey TD where they faked being disorganized and snapped the ball, I couldn't believe that was a legal play. Obviously it was or the refs would have blown it dead, but isn't there a rule about the five offensive linemen needing to be set before the ball is snapped? Otherwise, why do offenses bother setting when they're trying to run up to spike the ball at the end of halves? Why not just get all their O-Linemen on the line standing and snap to save a few seconds?

Anyway, if anyone knows the rules I'm curious. I feel like I'm missing something.

 

[ALP]

i would not be surprised if you were right

the refs were unwilling to call anything yesterday unless it was absolutely necessary

and the browns took advantage of taht

 

[sieglo]

They were set, they were just standing. At least, I assume that's the answer. If you watch the play, you'll note they are all motionless at the snap.

 

[BradyManny]

I had the same Q - felt illegal to me, but apparently is not.

 

[Robdude]

To be set I believe it means that they have to be still for 3(?) seconds or some small epriod of time. They can be set while standing. I do not think the issue is can they be standing or not (they can) but were they stationary long enough. I wondered about that myself. I didnt see the reply but it seemed at least one line man was waving his arm pointing at different people. But then again I didnt see it again.

Either way one nice spot was Cunningham was not fooled at all. Just wasnt fast enough to run down the Wr

 

[Sicilian]

They were set, they were just standing. At least, I assume that's the answer. If you watch the play, you'll note they are all motionless at the snap.

This might be the key right there. Perhaps you don't need a hand down at all, just need to be on the LoS and motionless when the ball is snapped. The reason they're almost always hands down is because 99.9% of plays require split second leverage that you can't get when you're upright.

Still, very strange.

 

[Pujo]

The rule is that everyone on the offense, whether on the LoS or not, must be set for one second prior to the snap, with the exception of one player not on the LoS who may be in motion, as long as he's not moving forward.