Note: Originally published in the January/February 2011 issue of Los Angeles Sports & Fitness.
In a recent youth football championship game, one team trailed 6-0 when the coach ordered a trick play that is now a Youtube sensation. After a penalty, he called out loudly that the defense had been off-side, and the official forgot to walk off the five yards. He yelled at his center to move the ball forward. The center stood up and handed the ball over his shoulder to the quarterback, which is a legal maneuver. The quarterback started to walk off the five yards and then sprinted past the unassuming defenders for the game-tying touchdown.
The play is perfectly legal. Despite perceptions, a center does not have to hike the ball directly between his legs to the quarterback; however, we use that technique because it puts the center in the best position to block after hiking the ball. Essentially, the team hiked the ball for the quarterback to run a sneak up the middle, and the coach’s instructions confused the defense who relaxed until it was too late.
The Internet loves the video, and most people think the coach is a genius. For someone obviously concerned with winning, he is quite clever. He used his craftiness and knowledge of the rules to win the game.
Every sport relies on physical play and talent, but good coaches (and players) understand that to be successful, you must play smarter – not necessarily harder.
(Thanks Brian McCormick)
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