page_title: Trick play
section_title: Common trick plays
hierarchical_section_title: Trick play / Common trick plays
caption_attribution_description: English: The Washington State Cougars run a "direct snap" a form of trick play from scrimmage done in American football where the quarterback does not receive the ball from center, which instead goes directly to another player who will run it or pass it. In this case, before the play the quarterback (#9) has gone to the far side of the field (lining up as a receiver), while the ball is being snapped directly to a running back (#22). This photo is from Washington State's game against the USC Trojans in the 2008 season. The Trojans had a lauded defense during the 2008 season, notable players in this image include: Taylor Mays (#2), Kaluka Maiava (#43), Rey Maualuga (#58), Brian Cushing (#10), Josh Pinkard (#36) and Clay Matthews (#47). The final score was 69-0, USC.
context_page_description: A trick play, also known as a gadget play, gimmick play or trickeration, is a play in gridiron football that uses deception and unorthodox tactics to fool the opposing team. A trick play is often risky, offering the potential for a large gain or a touchdown if it is successful, but with the chance of a significant loss of yards or a turnover if not. Trick plays are rarely used not only because of the riskiness, but also to maintain the element of surprise for when they are used.
  Trick plays take advantage of defenses' expectations and conventional wisdom, the set of basic principles to which most offenses adhere. Most offenses follow a basic set of conventions in that once the ball is snapped to the quarterback, it seldom changes hands more than once: a hand-off or pitch to a running back, or a forward pass, and the players with the best skill sets for those particular plays are the ones that will execute them. The typical American football playbook relies on simple, relatively low-risk plays with high odds of gaining yardage and low odds of catastrophe.
context_section_description: Common trick plays attempt to place the defense out of position by starting action in one direction, then completing it in another. There is no real "trick" being played in terms of deception, the defense simply reacts without considering the possibility of the ball carrier changing mid-play. Some of these plays are so common as to not be recognized as trick plays, instead being a regular part of the American football playbook.
  Play Action Pass:
  One of the most common forms of deception is the use of a play action pass, commonly referred to as a "play fake". In this type of play, after the snap the quarterback appears to hand the ball to the halfback, who will then simulate running with the ball. Still in possession of the ball, the quarterback will then attempt to complete a pass play. A play action pass can be effective in bringing linebackers and even defensive backs up close to the line of scrimmage in hopes of stopping a run, leaving receivers with more room to run routes and catch the ensuing pass.
  Draws:
  A draw is, in essence, the opposite of a play action pass and can be as common. After the snap, the quarterback simulates the action of a pass, including dropping back and looking down field for the receivers. The quarterback will then hand the ball off to a running back or keep the ball himself and rush forward. A draw play attempts to fool the defense into dropping back into pass coverage, putting them out of position to cover the eventual rushing play.
  End arounds:
  In an end-around play, a wide receiver or split end runs laterally behind the line of scrimmage, takes a handoff from the quarterback, and continues around the opposite end of the line. As a regular part of the playbook, an end-around with a proper lead blocker such as an H-back or fullback can get positive yardage without relying on trickery. Because the defense normally expects the wide receivers to run a downfield pass pattern, an end-around that catches the defenders by surprise can result in a big gain.
  Reverse:
  A similar trick play is a reverse, which often begins as an end-around. In a reverse, a ball-carrier running parallel to the line of scrimmage in one direction hands off to a teammate coming in the opposite direction. This abruptly reverses the lateral flow of the play; if the defense is slow to react, the second ball-carrier might make it around the end of the line to a near-open field. Variations of the basic reverse include the double reverse (which involves a second flow-reversing handoff), exceedingly rare triple reverses involving even more handoffs, the fake reverse described below, and the reverse flea flicker.
  Double pass:
  A double pass is like a reverse conducted with lateral passes instead of hand-offs. (Football rules limit an offense to one forward pass on any given play. No such restriction exists with lateral passes.)
  Halfback pass: (See also Halfback option play.) In this play the quarterback pitches the ball to a halfback as if it were an outside run, but instead of running up the field the halfback looks for an open receiver to pass the ball to. Teams that have a player who is both a skilled runner and passer use this play more often. NFL Hall of Famers Walter Payton and LaDainian Tomlinson are notable examples, each having scored multiple rushing, passing and receiving touchdowns on halfback option plays during their careers.
  Wide receiver pass / Fake reverse:
  Similar to the halfback pass, the ball is given to a wide receiver on an end around or reverse, but instead of turning upfield he looks for a passing target (which in some situations might include the quarterback, who has run a pass pattern after the handoff.) Like the halfback pass, this play often utilizes a multi-skilled player; Antwaan Randle El is a wide receiver who played quarterback in college and is known for his ability to pass, throwing a 43-yard touchdown pass to Hines Ward, another wide receiver who also played as a quarterback in college, during Super Bowl XL. This play was used famously in a 2015 NFL Divisional playoff game between the New England 
caption: The offense (left) run a "halfback direct snap": In this case, before the play the quarterback (#9) has gone to the far side of the field (lining up as a receiver), while the ball is being snapped directly to a running back (#22).
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